Did you know that recent studies have shown that physical activity outdoors lowers a person’s blood pressure and heart rate? As a result, exercise outdoors feels less strenuous than similar exercise indoors, which, in turn, pushes you closer to your maximum performance. This is why we’ve come up with a list of the top 10 outdoor workouts that will definitely get your blood pumping.
Whether you want something low impact or hardcore is more your thing, whether you’re a solo gym-goer or prefer to share the burn with friends, have your lycra at the ready because we’ve got it covered.
The benefits of working outdoors
- Helps with insomnia
- Lowers blood pressure & reduces stress
- Free of charge
- Variation in your regular workout
- Vary your regular training workout
- The chance to meet new people and train together
- Puts you in a better mood
- To get out and enjoy the fresh air
After reading all those benefits, we’re sure we’ve convinced you to want to get up, get out and move your feet. Now let’s get straight to it. Below you will find the top 10 outdoor workouts.
Ideas for outdoor training
1. Running
It takes minimal preparation time or equipment and can be done pretty much wherever, so long as you have some good running trainers. Using Strava you can now start planning some wicked routes in your area.
2. Circuits
Circuit training is often thought of like a gym activity, but it’s one which is fairly easy to transfer to the great outdoors. The trick is to go for exercises that don’t require much equipment. Squats, jumps, burpees, push-ups, crunches, and lunges are all great bodyweight movements which means all you need to bring is yourself (and a bottle of water of course)
3. Cycling
Cycling can be a great way to combine sightseeing with exercise, so you’ve got plenty of distraction from the thigh burn. Cycling burns calories and builds muscle quickly, making it a great way to improve your overall strength and endurance.
4. Swimming
If you’re lucky enough to live near an outdoor pool or a beach, water sports are the way to go. Swimming helps work every muscle of the body, making it a great all-rounder. It’s another exercise that offers great mental benefits, too, helping you minimise stress and giving you a chance to gather your thoughts.
5. Hiking
If you have more time and want to make a day of your workout, hiking is a great way to explore an area, and if you find a route that’s as scenic as it is challenging, then it’s a win-win. Hiking can be a surprisingly effective form of exercise, as it tends to require cardiovascular endurance, alongside strength and balance. It’s also a prime opportunity to spend some quality time with loved ones, you can even bring the dog along too if you have one. If you want to find the perfect hike we suggest taking a look at National Trails.
6. Group Sports
Things like tennis, football, rounders, and cricket can all get your blood pumping and improve overall fitness. Many don’t require too much extra equipment and are a great way to spend time with friends and family. If you’ve got a competitive streak then go head to head and you’ll forget you’re even doing a workout.
7. Walking
Not in the mood for an intense workout? Walking is one of the most basic forms of outdoor exercise, but its health benefits are unparalleled.
KNOW THE BENEFITS
- Maintain a healthy weight and lose body fat.
- Prevent or manage various conditions, including heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, cancer and type 2 diabetes.
- Improve cardiovascular fitness.
- Strengthen your bones and muscles.
- Improve muscle endurance.
- Increase energy levels.
- Improve your mood, cognition, memory, and sleep.
- Improve your balance and coordination.
- Strengthen the immune system.
- Reduce stress and tension.
8. TOUGH MUDDER
Of course, we have saved the best until the last.
You know what we do and what we’re about.
