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Chances are very high that you’ve seen people exercise outside. In fact, a lot of people unintentionally do it without realizing it, such as walking or cycling to point A to point B. But then there are those where it’s more than obvious they’re intentionally exercising, like runners, joggers, cyclists, hikers, and even those who use the free gym at the local park. They’re all pretty nice, right? Have you ever considered utilizing an outdoor gym?
It’s already proven that the outdoor fitness experience has some major perks, so why not instead do your exercising at an outdoor gym rather than be cooped up inside a hot little gym for hours each week? So, here are some reasons why you should start using an outdoor gym for your exercise routine!
Best Way to Spend Time Outside
Outdoor gyms allow people to exercise in a variety of settings. This means that people can fit workouts into their day without needing to drive to a gym or schedule a class. This makes the gym more accessible to people who may not have the time or money to commit to a gym membership. For the most part, these outdoor gyms are set in parks, and most parks are within walking distance (especially if you live in a city or suburb). Generally speaking, this is a great way to get the community to become more active.
Ideal for Fresh Air
Just think about it, typically, gyms have this funky smell that lingers. It’s mostly due to all the sweat and the body heat that’s being emitted. Plus, most gyms don’t have windows but instead have large industrial fans. Why not instead, at least in the warmer months, opt for fresh air? Working out in the fresh air can make you feel energized and refreshed, which can help to keep you motivated to continue with your workouts.
In addition, exercising outside can give you a more challenging workout than exercising indoors, which means that it will help to burn more calories! Instead, why not take a good look at the outdoor fitness equipment that’s available, as this can really help improve your workout? Plus, you get that incredible fresh air smell that parks have to offer!
You’re Enjoying Nature
For the most part, indoor gyms online offer the radio that’s blasting, TV, the sound of weights hitting the floor, and maybe some grunting. Even when it comes to the sights, they’re not exactly the most pleasant either. But when it comes to the outdoors, that’s a whole other matter. You get to hear the wind blow past your ear; the birds are chirping, the squirrels are running around, and the leaves are rustling.
All of it is incredibly relaxing. When you take the time to notice the sights and sounds of your environment, you can focus on how the sun feels on your face during a workout. Many outdoor gyms are located at schools, beaches, and urban parks. They nudge people to exercise more by being easily accessible.
Readily Available
Unless you go to a 24-hour gym, you’re probably going to be limited on the hours that you can exercise, right? In addition, working out outdoors is free and available 24/7. That makes it easy to fit in a workout at 5:00 am before going into the office or after work. It can also save on travel expenses. However, there is one thing that should be noted, and that would be the fact that sometimes, parks are unsafe at night or early peaks of the morning, especially for a woman. So while they are readily available, just be aware that sometimes, they’re not exactly the safest when it’s dark outside, too early, or if there are limited people there.
Can Help with Being Social
This isn’t a guarantee, but for the most part, you can at least count on some socialization. As you know, when it comes to indoor gyms, people want to just wear earbuds and not interact while they work out. This is totally justified, but to a degree, it’s not the case with outdoor gyms. The reason why would be the fact that outdoor gyms are so small. Therefore, there needs to be some communication since you’re sharing equipment. Outdoor gyms can also encourage social engagement through group fitness classes and training partners. Some group classes are done with outdoor gyms, and you’re basically expected to socialize in those groups.
Staying Motivated
Sticking to an exercise routine can be challenging for a variety of reasons. Outdoor gyms can help people stay motivated by providing an enjoyable and unique workout experience. For example, outdoor equipment like monkey bars at playgrounds can be used for hanging exercises such as L-sits or to perform squats with assistance. This can help strengthen the core without creating unnecessary stress.
Additionally, exercise in nature can provide inspiration for new exercises to challenge the body. For example, squats can be performed in the grass, or jogging up hills can help build leg strength. You get to think outside the box with some of this equipment which is something you don’t get to do with a traditional gym.
It’s All About Creativity
Going hand in hand with staying motivated, you can get creative and allow yourself to think outside the box when it comes to an outdoor gym. The equipment in outdoor gyms can vary widely, from simple rubber fitness tiles and a few weights to more complex and advanced pieces like an obstacle course or a specialized training station. However, the basic workout procedure is always the same: begin with a warm-up and then exercise using different equipment until you’ve worked out all of your muscles.
For the most part, you only have your body, such as upper body strength, to work with or other muscles due to all of the equipment being latched into the ground. So this can mean you can get super creative with your workouts. Overall, you can allow your creativity to flourish when you go about it this way.
