Hi Everyone! I’m excited to have Jim from Gym Source as a guest blogger to share his knowledge on the benefits of staying active while enjoying the great outdoors.
Jim Rollince is a member of the creating writing department of Gym Source
He enjoys writing about Fitness, Nutrition, and many other related topics. Contact him at jimr@gymsource.net
Great Outdoors: The Many Benefits of Exercising in Nature’s Gym
Although many people believe that choosing to work out outdoors is simply a matter of preference, there is emerging science that shows that exercising outside actually offers a lot more overall than doing so indoors. Many fitness experts are recommending that you exercise outside whenever possible and save the elliptical and treadmills for when the weather is in climate. Here are some of the benefits you can enjoy from outdoor physical activity.
Improved Mental Health
If you’ve been feeling depressed, angry or otherwise under the weather lately, you might want to consider moving your fitness routine to a local green space. A study done in Scotland showed that exercising in someplace like a park or forest had a 50 percent greater benefit on mental health than exercising indoors.
Get the Pets Involved
Going outside to exercise is a great opportunity to see to Fido’s health, too. Animals need exercise just as much as human beings, and this will enable you both to spend quality time together doing something healthy and productive. Your pet will quickly shed excess weight, have fewer health problems and be less inclined to become depressed. Furthermore, if your pet has an opportunity to expend some of their pent-up energy, they’re less likely to take out their frustration and boredom on your furniture!
It’s Free
Money is a huge stressor for many people, and stress is one of the most serious threats to health in modern times. Couple that with the often massive costs of gym memberships and you’ve got a problem. Exercise is important, but it does little good if paying for that gym membership is causing undue stress because it’s contributing to financial hardship. Exercising outside is free, easy and you can go any time of the day or night.
Lose Weight
There is a nearly endless capacity for variety when exercising outside. Whereas the inside of a gym stays the same every day of the year, the outside environment is always changing its appearance and you can choose to go wherever you want. In fact, this gives outdoor exercise yet another benefit over indoor fitness. Studies have found that people who exercised in differing environments worked out harder, stayed more motivated and lost more weight than people who exercised in a static environment.
Less Distraction
Many people buy home gym equipment because the idea of working out in the comfort of their own home appeals to them. While this seems like it would make someone more likely to exercise, the opposite is often true. Your home is filled with potential distractions, such as televisions, computers, family, work and household chores that can make it easy to forget about your fitness routine. When you’re outside, these things aren’t around to tempt you into ‘taking it easy’ for the day.
Get Active!
It doesn’t matter exactly where you exercise, but be sure to do it! Chances are you will feel happier and healthier and will go back for more! Grab some friends and get active, or take some time alone to enjoy the great outdoors while you better your health!
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