With summertime upon us, most of us find ourselves wanting to spend more time outside. For many, the thing that we give up to spend more time outdoors is our time at the gym. But what if you didn’t have to sacrifice one for the other? As it turns out, taking your workouts outside during the summer months might actually net you benefits that reach further than just working up a sweat.
Improve Sleep Quality
Your sleep/wake cycle is driven by a variety of factors, including exposure to sunshine and fresh air during the daylight hours. By deliberately spending time outside during the day, you are helping to prime your nervous system for better, deeper sleep at night.
Improve Gut Health
Japanese researchers have been studying Shinrin-yoku (Forest Bathing) for many years. This research shows that spending time, and breathing deeply, in green spaces promotes the intake of healthy bacteria that naturally occur in these settings. These friendly bacteria eventually find their way to your gut and help to support a healthy microbiome. This helps support improved digestion and can even give you a mood boost.
Boost Mental Health
Vitamin D and mental health are closely intertwined, and sunlight is one of its best sources. But mental health is impacted by more than just vitamin D; in fact, the healthy bacteria found in nature can also improve your mood. You know that uneasy feeling in your belly you get when you’re stressed or anxious? Almost like butterflies, or even nausea? That works both ways. When you experience stomach or bowel upset, it sends a signal to your brain telling it that something’s wrong. That signal can lead to anxiety or depression if it’s not kept in check. Getting your regular dose of vitamin D from the sun and keeping a balanced microbiome thanks to the friendly bacteria found outside can directly improve your mental health.
Improve Relationships
Want to build stronger relationships with friends, family, or even colleagues? Science has shown that when we exercise near someone, it causes chemical reactions that actually boost our level of empathy towards one another.
Asking someone to join you for a workout at the gym is great, but it may not be for everyone. It’s often easier to invite someone to join you for a walk, hike, run, bike, or even a paddle. For bonus points, leave your phone at home (or go somewhere that has zero cell service) so that you can be fully present with the other person.
Save Money
The science is clear: Every single human should be performing resistance training at least two times per week. But there’s nothing saying that resistance training needs to be performed in a gym with dumbbells or barbells.
The great outdoors is filled with items you can use such as rocks, logs, your own bodyweight, or the outdoor gyms that are popping up in public parks all over. You don’t have to spend money on a fancy gym membership to exercise. If you love the gym, then by all means, go for it. But if you’d rather spend time outside in nature, then you can absolutely get your workouts done out there—and for free, no less.
Break the Mold of What a “Workout” Looks Like
When most people think of “working out” they picture a gym, spin studio, or something similar. But there are so many more options when it comes to boosting your fitness. Go for a hike or bike ride, stopping every once in a while to perform a set of pushups, or complete some pullups using a tree branch. Or take a kayak down to the lake for an upper body, core, and cardio workout. Just because it’s not happening in a traditional gym doesn’t make it any less a workout.
You’ll Likely Do More Work
How much excitement does it incite in you to imagine walking on the treadmill or stair climber for an hour? Now, what if instead, you could spend four hours on an afternoon hike filled with breathtaking views. When you’re experiencing enjoyment and adventure during your sessions, you’re much more likely to spend more time doing them. Which is a win-win: you’re committing to a longer workout, but without any sense of dread.
Create Lasting Memories
Training outdoors reaches well beyond the workout—training for outdoor adventure inherently encourages you to create memories that’ll last a lifetime. Whether it’s because of the company you share, or the specific adventure you went on, once you catch the outdoor adventure bug, there’s no turning back. So go ahead and trade your gym workouts for time outside in nature. Just make sure that you’re still moving your body with purpose and intention—the special moments you’ll create are guaranteed.
You may also like: The Benefits of Interval Training
Read This Story in Our 2024 Summer Outdoor & Travel Issue
Featuring Canadian Taekwondo Olympian, Skylar Park. Must-visit adventure destinations across Canada. Your best trail running season ever with FAQs and threshold training plans. How (and why) gravel biking can rule your summer. Essential preparation to stay injury-free during hikes. Zero-waste your hiking and camping trips like a pro. Treat yourself with a Rustic Strawberry Chocolate Tart or Dairy-Free Vanilla Ice Cream, and so much more.
