Now I have written before about the difference between working out and working in.
This is a bit of a different topic. I want to discuss the “out” being outside when you are working out. No matter what type of environment you live in or the season this can be a great way to get in your movement fix in the form of a workout.
Why Workout Outside?
Besides just being awesome, here are a few other reasons why you should try doing some workouts outside:
- Get Some Sunshine: Why not get a nice workout while you are getting your vitamin D for the day. If you are busy this will help balance your hormones and get you moving.
- Fresh Air: Unless you live in smog so dense you can’t see through it, the air outside is just going to be better for you. Plus if the smog is that bad, living there is not help your health.
- Acclimate to the Seasons: This is a great way to stress your thermoregulatory system. Your body is meant to be able to handle changes between hot and cold and working out outside will test this depending on your climate. I live in an area with four distinct seasons and I workout in the garage (all doors open) or in the backyard every single day of the year. Let me just say that it really is amazing to be with nature all year.
- Just Get Away from it All: When the family, job and life in general are too much, just getting away for a few moments of a workout can really help to ignite you. However, this sounds like it might be a good day for a slow walk in the woods too.
- Boost Your Immune System: Stop getting sick and get your workouts outside. With all of the other benefits, how can you say no?
- Improve Mood While Decreasing Tension and Depression: This one speaks for all the others. Just feel great!
- Don’t just take my word for it
“What can I do?”
It is often thought that you can only go and play sports outside, go for a run or bike ride as about the only workouts that can be done outside. This is just lacking creativity. It is time to go off the cuff a bit and get back to something that doesn’t require an entire team to enjoy. Here are a few of my favorites:
- Weight Training: That is right, just grab a few dumbbells, a kettlebell or even a medicine ball and go to town. There are endless varieties here and call can be done in your backyard or the local park.
- Bodyweight Training: Push-ups can be done anywhere, you can do your pullups on a tree branch and crawling in all forms can be done with limited space. Maybe you want to do some rolling and cartwheels like when you were a kid. Either way just have fun in the grass and dirt.
- Strongman Training: Contrary to the name you do not have to be strong or a man to do. It is more the type of implements that are often used. This can be flipping a tire, swinging a sledgehammer, dragging a sled or going for a farmer’s walk. All are great and get you doing movements that the body may not be used to, but is nonetheless craving.
To learn more about this and other health and wellness topics be sure to contact me today for your free consultation or sign up to get your free e-books. Also, check out my podcast if you want to feel great and look good naked over at BareNakedHealthPodcast.com
Have a Great Day!
Nick Horowski