The Advantages of Outdoor Exercise

You don’t need to be told about the benefits of regular exercise. While laughter is often called ‘the best medicine’, it could be argued that exercise should actually hold that title. When you exercise frequently, just about every part of your body works better, and remains in better condition for the long run. Of course, you should always consult with a doctor before you start with an exercise routine.

When you think about exercise, do you picture going to gym to get in line for a treadmill or exercise bike? It doesn’t need to be that way. Outdoor exercise is a popular choice that is made by millions of people each day. If you are thinking of turning to outdoor exercise equipment to keep yourself in shape, consider the following benefits.

The Benefits of the Sun

Human beings require vitamin D, and many get their daily dose of this important vitamin thanks to the sun. If you get outside for your exercise on a regular basis, you should be able to get the vitamin D you require through exposure to the sun. Of course, if you are out under intense sunlight, be sure to use some form of sunscreen or sunblock in order to keep your skin healthy and to avoid getting burned.

Breathe in that Fresh Air

If you have the opportunity to exercise outdoors in a place with clean, fresh air, you really shouldn’t miss out on that opportunity. The air outdoors is almost always going to be cleaner than the air that you find inside a building such as a gym, and you are going to be breathing in a lot of air as you exercise your body. In addition to the cleaner air being good for your body, it is also simply more enjoyable than having to breathe in polluted air throughout your entire workout.

It’s Free!

There aren’t very many things that are free in life any more, but exercising outdoors is one of them. You don’t have to pay a membership to workout outside, and you don’t even need any special equipment if you decide to just walk or run. Even if you decide to use biking as your form of exercise, the cost of the bike is an upfront cost that should be a one-time event – unlike your gym membership, which will come out of your bank account each month on an ongoing basis.

Engage Your Mind

Working out outside is a great way to engage your mind for the duration of your exercise. Heading to the gym can be monotonous and your mind can quickly get bored of staring at the same thing in front of you time after time. Don’t force yourself to put up with that stale environment when a much more exciting and interesting workout is waiting just outside your door. By turning Mother Nature into your gym, you are going to experience a number of benefits that should continue to pay off for years to come.