Good article I found on Dick's Sporting Goods website...
While the benefits of exercise are well known, not many
people realize that working out outdoors can be even greater for your health.
In fact, studies show that going green with your gym routine may not only help
you blast more calories but can improve your concentration and your mood. So
now that the weather is warm, here are 10 reasons your body will thank you for
sweating it out under the sun.
1. You’ll Challenge Different Muscles
Trainers will always tell you to switch up your workouts
because your body quickly learns exactly what to expect from the machines at
the gym. But if you’re a sucker for routine, simply taking your three-mile run
from the treadmill to a rougher terrain is an easy solution. Studies find
that you stride differently when running outdoors. Not only do you flex your
ankles more, you’ll also inevitably head downhill, one feature that indoor
cardio equipment has yet to replicate. Just make sure you’ve got the right shoes (experts
suggest sizing up a shoe size so that your foot has space to move), pick your
footpath, and prepare to feel a different kind of sore.
2. You’ll Stimulate Your Senses
Even if you already mix up your routine with studio classes,
there’s something to be said about taking those activities outdoors while the
weather permits. Outdoor classes add a different dimension to one’s practice
and, in terms of yoga, pare it down to its original link with nature. A breeze
can help deepen your breath work just as the warmth from the sun can
deepen poses by making
muscles more elastic. If you’re worried about comfort, you can use two thick mats for
the outdoors. If you want a greater challenge, uneven surfaces such as sand and
grass can intensify your poses even more.
3. You’ll Burn More Calories
Ever wonder why you barely break a sweat after 20 minutes on
the elliptical but you wish you packed an extra shirt after bolting to make the
morning bus? At least part of it is simply because outdoor exercise tends to be
more strenuous than the indoor, controlled version. Studies show
that treadmill runners expend less energy to cover the same distance as those
pounding the pavement outdoors primarily because indoor exercisers face no wind
resistance or changes in terrain. The same goes for cycling, where wind drag
can result in much greater demand. So next time your spin class is booked up,
don’t fret. Just grab your own bike and
hit the road.
4. You’ll Save Time
Not only will you burn off more of that weekend barbecue,
you can achieve greater results in a shorter amount of time thanks to nature’s
curve balls (think rough terrain, wind, or just the scorching sun). Even just
20 minutes can do the trick: Studies show that high-intensity workouts
are more effective at burning fat than steady-state endurance training.
And there’s no equipment needed. Just come ready in comfortable, moisture-wicking apparel and you’ll
be guaranteed to work up a sweat with a HIIT routine made up of burpees, squats,
and other bodyweight exercises.
5. You’ll Go Harder for Longer
Some gym-goers are looking at the clock from the second they
step inside—and can you really blame them? It’s no secret that working out
indoors isn’t the most exciting way to spend an hour. According to experts, the
easiest way to combat boredom and make time pass faster is just outside your
window. Once you get outside, studies show
you’ll accumulate more time being active. A jog around your neighborhood can
easily turn into 5-mile run when you’ve got new and constantly changing scenery
to distract you from the actual workout. Just take a peek at your Fitbit when you’re
done, and you may even be surprised about how far you’ve gone.
6. You’ll Be Happier
Exercising outdoors has no shortage of psychological
benefits as well, starting with your mood. In a number of recent studies where
volunteers have been asked to go for two walks for the same time or distance,
one inside and the other outdoors, virtually all volunteers reported enjoying
the outside activity more. Additionally, on subsequent psychological tests,
participants scored significantly higher on measures of vitality, enthusiasm,
pleasure and self-esteem after they walked outside. If you want to delve even
deeper, several studies have also found that people have lower
levels of cortisol, a hormone related to stress, after exerting themselves
outside versus inside. So whether it’s grabbing a jump rope or setting up TRX at the park, there’s no shortage of activities that
will have you smiling in no time.
7. You’ll Boost Your Concentration
Maybe it was the week of college finals or between fifth and
sixth drafts of that important email you were drafting that you noticed
stepping out for some fresh air was enough to help you think more clearly. Now
there’s evidence to back your premonition up. One study found that kids with ADHD were able to
concentrate better after a walk in the park versus an urban environment, while another found that individuals involved in outdoor
activities for six weeks reported increased well-being, protecting them from
future stresses and helping them think more clearly.
8. You’ll Up Your Self-Esteem
Exercise has long been linked to producing endorphins
(chemicals that trigger positive feelings in the body), but a study conducted by the University of Essex indicates that
an outdoor workout can also improve self-esteem. So if you’re one of those
folks who doesn’t like giving it your all in front of all those other eyes at
the gym, just pick a secluded outdoor spot for a solo run or jump rope session.
9. You’ll Do It More Often
If you consider the hardest part of the gym to be getting
there, you may find an outdoor routine is much easier to stick to. Researchers have
found that adults who exercised outside were significantly more physically
active than those who exercised indoors, completing about 30 minutes more
exercise each week. Additionally a 2011 survey found
that outdoor exercisers have a greater intention to repeat the activity at a
later date than gym-goers. Invest in some good compression gear to reduce swelling and fatigue, aiding
recovery and getting you back outside quicker than ever.
10. You Can Invite Friends
There’s no reason you can’t relive your high school glory
days as captain of the soccer team. One of the greatest advantages of the great
outdoors is that you can take on sports as opposed to individual activities.
Convince your pals to join a softball or ultimate Frisbee league
and you’ll get all the social perks along with the physical benefits. Plus, you’ll
be more inclined to work out on the weekend if your friends waiting for you at
the park instead of a bottomless brunch.
