Outdoor exercise has its perks! Exercising outdoors can help improve your mood and self-esteem, and they are, if not free, low cost and easy to access.
Exercising outdoors allows you to connect with mother nature and if its sunny, it is your best source of Vitamin D. Outdoor workouts can even be more effective for weight loss than indoor exercise, since they challenge your muscles with inclines, declines, and obstacles.
Running or walking, cycling, full body workouts, playing a sport, hiking, swimming, or even practicing outdoor yoga, are just a few examples of ways to workout al fresco. It is important to note though, that not all outdoor spaces are suitable for working out outside and that there are some basic safety measures to keep in mind.
If your outdoor workout is during daytime, it is important to avoid the sun between 10 am and 4 pm, dress for the weather, use a sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher, and consider wearing a baseball cap and glasses.
Be visible to drivers by wearing bright, vibrant and reflective colors, specially if your workout is during nighttime. If you are running or walking, do it against traffic, avoid wearing headphones, and make eye contact with drivers at intersections.
Other safety tips to consider are: choose well-traveled paths, vary your schedule, switch up your route, let people know where you are, and workout in well-lit areas. It is always a good idea to invite a workout buddy, or if you have one, run with a dog! Finally, don’t forget to take your phone, carry your ID, and consider learning some self-defense techniques!