Is It Better To Exercise Indoors Or Outdoors?

Hey everyone, I hope the weekend continues to treat you well and that you are resting up and spending quality time with your loved ones. For today’s topic, I want to explore the pros and cons of both indoor and outdoor exercise. Whether you are a gym rat or an outdoors person, both have its own benefits as well as drawbacks.

Many people have switched to indoor exercise because it is the only way they can exercise without jeopardising their health, especially in the city. Many cities suffer from polluted air (as well as sound pollution), which may even trigger allergies or asthma in some individuals. Of course, there is also no need to worry about your session being interrupted by rain or other unpleasant weather, and is also more comfortable.

Indoor exercise can expose you to new routines (pic from active.com)

The gym might also provide a social environment, which can be very important to motivate an individual to be disciplined and stick with their exercise routine. Studies have shown that people who work out with a gym partner tend to be much more motivated than those who go it alone. There is definitely no way you can skip those push-ups or weights that you may accidentally “forget” to do with a partner around to push you further!

Professional instructors can impart their knowledge to you at gyms (pic from codyapp.com)

There are also group workouts and classes led by professional instructors, which can ensure a workout that is both safe and effective as you will learn the proper techniques. In addition, there is also plenty of variety as far as classes and workout routines are concerned. This can help keep you interested for longer and motivate you to keep coming back.

For starters, some people just like it. Whether you work out in the gym or at home, the air inside can get stuffy. Fresh air may lead to people feeling revitalised, less stressed and even a boost of energy.

According to a study, being outdoors can have a general positive effect on your vitality which translates well in your exercise sessions.

Studies have shown that outdoor exercise is beneficial for mental health (pic from breakingmuscle.com)

It can also inspire you to exercise more, as you are not surrounded by electronics or couches the whole time. A difference in your surroundings usually motivates you to get up make the most of the situation; in this case – more exercise! You can be sure the extra movement will add up!

Furthermore, you can also get your dose of vitamin D from exposure to the sun. This is a fat-soluble vitamin that is crucial to develop a healthy immune system as well as stronger bones. It has been suggested that approximately 5 to 30 minutes of sun exposure between 10am to 3pm per week is all your body needs for vitamin D synthesis.

As far as physical benefits go, it seems like there is not much of a difference between exercising indoor or outdoors. However, outdoor exercise does seem to have a very positive impact on your mental health in general. The best outcome is probably a mixture of both, as familiar routines might reduce the effectiveness of your workout.

Until next time, stay healthy!