Transform Your Fitness Routine: 4 Compelling Reasons to Exercise Outdoors
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Chapter 1: The Shift to Outdoor Workouts
For many, the allure of nature may seem distant, but each outdoor excursion offers a chance to discover beauty and inspiration. Photo by Ray Wirth.
Two decades ago, my fitness journey took a significant shift when a modern YMCA opened just across from my home. For 15 years, I dedicated time to indoor exercises like treadmills, rowing machines, and swimming laps. I frequented the weight room and enjoyed playing sports indoors. These activities were beneficial for my health and fitness; however, a sense of fulfillment was lacking.
When my family relocated 20 minutes away from the YMCA five years ago, I decided against renewing my membership. This choice stemmed not only from the inconvenience of travel and expense but also from a deeper realization.
While I don't dismiss the value of indoor workouts, my experiences have led me to believe that exercising outdoors offers unique advantages. Recently, I've explored various perspectives on the benefits of outdoor fitness. Here are four key mental and physical advantages of taking your workouts outside:
- Maximize Your Workout Potential, Especially in Winter
If you reside in a colder climate, you might find outdoor exercise particularly rewarding. Interestingly, running an 8-minute mile outside in chilly weather can enhance your fitness more than the same pace indoors.
Exercising in the cold burns additional calories as your body strives to maintain a stable temperature. Additionally, exposure to cold can reduce white fat while increasing beneficial brown fat, which is linked to improved metabolism and lower diabetes risk. Furthermore, if you have a healthy heart, outdoor workouts can strengthen it as the cold constricts blood vessels, requiring your heart to work harder.
_Explore the powerful benefits of outdoor workouts in this video._
- Lower Stress and Boost Happiness
Both physical activity and nature have stress-reducing properties, making their combination particularly effective.
Exercise releases endocannabinoids that alleviate stress, while time spent in natural surroundings lowers cortisol levels. Thus, outdoor workouts in green and blue spaces provide a dual benefit—both endocannabinoid release and cortisol reduction—leading to improved mood, heightened focus, decreased blood pressure, and a stronger immune system. Plus, you get the added bonus of vitamin D. The best part? These benefits come simply from stepping outside, with no gym membership or prescription needed.
- Acquire Practical Skills for Life
Engaging in outdoor exercise is often less structured, unpredictable, and less controlled, which can be advantageous in the long run.
While indoor workouts may enhance specific skills, they often don't prepare you for life's challenges. You won’t learn map reading on a treadmill or fix a flat tire while cycling indoors. Navigating the outdoors, managing equipment, and adapting to weather conditions may seem daunting initially, but they ultimately equip you for a more adventurous and fulfilling life.
- Create Lasting Memories and Live Fully
Exercising outdoors can lead to richer, more memorable experiences, especially when exploring new environments.
Neuropsychologists suggest that unfamiliar experiences stimulate the brain, promoting mindfulness and making life feel more vibrant. New experiences tend to create vivid memories, giving the impression that time was spent more richly.
“I wanted to live deep and suck out all the marrow of life.”
— Henry David Thoreau
You don't need a lavish vacation to gain these enriching experiences; simply taking a different route or exploring a new area can suffice. Nature is ever-changing, presenting new sights and sounds, whether it's observing plants, animals, or varying landscapes.
Chapter 2: The Call to Action
It's easy to think that indoor workouts are more efficient, but this mindset can lead to the loss of vital mental and physical health benefits. By staying indoors, we miss out on the joy and fulfillment that outdoor activities can provide—akin to what Thoreau expressed when he sought a deeper connection with life.
If your current routine is confined indoors, consider starting small by dedicating one day a week to outdoor exercise. It may take a few tries to find the right location, activity, and gear, but once you embrace the benefits of exercising outdoors, it could transform your life.
_Learn more about the advantages of exercising outdoors versus in a gym._
To delve deeper into the awe of nature, check out Brad Stulberg’s insightful article, "The Natural Cure for Burnout Is Profound and Utter Awe." For further insights into the benefits of outdoor exercise, explore my piece, "Almost Always Better Than You Think: And other takeaways from spending an hour or more outside, every day for a year."