Springtime is outdoor fitness time
Spring is finally here! When the snow has melted, temperatures rise above freezing, the days get longer, and everything slowly turns green, it's time to leave the treadmill behind now and then and get active outdoors.
Outdoor fitness brings many advantages and is much more than just jogging or Nordic walking. Fitness in nature is becoming increasingly popular, and the range of outdoor training options continues to grow. Fitness boot camps are very popular at the moment; they usually involve training in small groups in the park, utilizing everything nature provides—logs, stones, hills, as well as stairs and benches. Everyone, regardless of age, fitness level, or experience, can train according to their own needs with exercises tailored to each individual.
For those who want to stay well-trained in all weather conditions, a good balance between indoor and outdoor training is ideal, as Cedric Bryant, Chief Science Officer of the American Council on Exercise, aptly puts it: "There are some very real psychological and physiological benefits to balancing your workout routine between indoor and outdoor settings." The switch between indoor and outdoor exercises increases the likelihood that you will stick with your training program longer and offers several benefits.
For the Body
One of the biggest advantages of indoor training is temporal independence—you can train at any time of day and even in bad weather, with a wide variety of fitness equipment available for diverse and varied workouts.
Outdoor training also comes with its own set of benefits: fresh air is good and stimulates the immune system, plus we soak up Vitamin D when the sun shines, and training in nature benefits bones and muscles too.
Most outdoor activities impact our bodies differently from indoor fitness training—whether you're jogging, hiking, or inline skating. Exercises on uneven ground, for example, have the advantage of improving both bone density and balance. Moreover, the rougher outdoor terrain forces your body to make constant, minute adjustments, which means your core and skeletal muscles also get better trained.
For the Mind
Have you ever heard of artificially generated negative air ions? Studies show that air ions actually improve seasonal and non-seasonal depression. And you probably already know—they naturally occur outdoors. So when you go into nature, especially in the mountains or outdoors after a thunderstorm, you improve your chances of absorbing these mood-enhancing ions.
For Social Life
The great thing about outdoor workouts is that you can motivate friends to join you more easily, perhaps join a group, or simply take your favorite four-legged friend along.
So lift weights in the gym today, but head outside tomorrow! Balancing indoor and outdoor activities offers great benefits for your physical and mental well-being. The mix is what makes it work!
