When most people think about exercising, they picture working out in an indoor gym. While this is always an excellent option, there are a number of benefits to outdoor workouts including a change of scenery, the opportunity to meet more people in your community, and a boost for your immune system.
Give Your Immune System a Boost
There have been numerous studies on the health benefits of being in nature. Being outdoors can significantly improve both your mental health and physical well-being. Individuals that spend at least thirty minutes outdoors have a lower incidence of high blood pressure and depression. Being in nature helps stimulate the body’s natural defenses and boosts the immune system.
Get Your Vitamin D
Exercising in the sun is an excellent way to get your Vitamin D. Whenever you spend time in the sun with skin exposed, your body produces more of this important vitamin. Vitamin D helps protect against brittle bones, osteoporosis and rickets. Vitamin D deficiency has been linked to an increased risk of heart disease, depression, cancer and autoimmune diseases.
Burn More Calories
When you exercise outside, you expose your body to fluctuating weather conditions and changing terrain. This puts more stress on your body than exercising indoors, helping you burn more calories.
Change Up Your Routine
Exercising indoors can become boring over time. When exercising outdoors you get to enjoy changing scenery and change up your routine. This helps you exercise longer and harder.
When you live in a big city it can be difficult to find a place to exercise outdoors. It can also be dangerous without a proper understanding of how to safely exercise outside. Make sure you drink plenty of water especially in the hotter summer months, and try to avoid working out midday. Wear light colored, lightweight clothing and make sure to go inside if you feel weak, dizzy or lightheaded.
Atlas Fitness Outdoor Bootcamps in DC
Ok, so you are convinced of the benefits of working out outdoors – but you aren’t sure what those workouts should be…. Atlas can help! We recommend walking lunges, jump squats and step-ups onto a park bench will work your lower body, while push-ups, pull-ups on the monkey bars, and tricep dips on a park bench can work your upper half. Spend a half-hour on a brisk walk or jog, and end with some burpees and you’re on your way to getting all of your recommended exercise for the day in a beautiful outdoor setting all while challenging your body with new terrain.
Atlas Fitness started out by offering outdoor bootcamps in a variety of locations throughout the DC area. Our outdoor bootcamp features the same challenging, individualized bootcamp workouts that Atlas Fitness is famous for. Our trainers are fully trained and can help you safely exercise outside. We use a variety of equipment while we help you reap the benefits of outdoor exercise!
Please contact us for more information about Outdoor Bootcamp.