7th February 2019
You might already know that exercising releases endorphins, making it great for de-stressing, but did you know that being outside has a similar mood-boosting effect? Surrounding yourself with pleasant scenery and fresh air will not only improve your mood, but can make your workouts more sustainable and enjoyable - you may be able to keep going for longer, and may find yourself more likely to stick to your fitness regime.
It makes a nice change from being cooped up indoors all day, and the cooler air will feel especially refreshing compared to a stuffy indoor gym! So, if you find yourself with a case of the winter blues from chilly weather and shorter days, you may find some relief by using outdoor exercise equipment!
It’s such a simple thing, but exposing your skin to sunlight (in limited amounts) is a very basic act of taking care of your body. Sunlight helps your body create vitamin D, which is vital for bone strength, as well as maintaining healthy teeth and muscle.
It’s recommended that those with fair skin should spend 20-30 minutes in the sun, three times a week in order to get the recommended levels of Vitamin D from the sun (and people with darker skin should spend even longer). Unfortunately due to the nature of our modern lifestyles, many of us do not actually manage this. However, outdoor exercise equipment allows us to exercise and catch some rays at the same time, making these work out sessions not only extra efficient but extra healthy, too!
Sunlight exposure is also thought to be linked to our circadian rhythms, something else disrupted by our modern screen and electricity-dominated lifestyles. Spending more time outdoors in the sunshine is thought to help us sleep better at night by “resetting” our biological clocks. Why not try it and see?
When using outdoor exercise equipment, you may find that your workouts are more effective than usual. This is because your heart and muscles work harder in the cold to maintain body temperature, meaning you should see increased effects of muscle gain, calorie burning, and more - which will be good news for those trying to lose winter weight or stick to New Year’s resolutions. Of course, you should always dress appropriately, and ensure that you don’t overheat or get too cold during training.
