Fitness & Equipment Guides > Exercising Outdoors

Exercising Outdoors

10th Jun 19

Exercising is a fundamental pillar of being a healthy person. You need it to make sure that you’re keeping your body in check and living a healthy and active lifestyle. Exercising outdoors has even more. It has a huge range of health benefits ranging from the physical feel-good feeling that it gives you all the way through to the satisfying mental health benefits it offers too. It’s not all about losing weight or building muscle!

One of the many great things about exercise is that it isn’t limited to a gym or home workout either. By making yourself lead a more active lifestyle and getting out and about, you can get your exercise fix outdoors too. No matter what the weather, there’s always a good reason to get outside and make the most of the world around you. Whether it’s taking a walk to work or competing in a triathlon, there are more reasons to get you exercising outdoors than you might think.

Here are some things to think about:


Want to move fast? Jump to the right section below.


Activities & Hobbies

man cycling in the woods

One of the biggest selling points of exercising outdoors is that it can be a lot of fun. Instead of forcing yourself to go for a run on an evening to get in those precious exercising minutes, why not make the most of the facilities and events around you? Try rock climbing for the first time, or find a new active hobby you might be interested in, such as cycling or hiking. There’s a lot more around you than you may think, and a lot of these activities can have positive mental benefits, too. If you don’t want to stray too far from home, you can try things such as fixing up your garden or doing those chores you’ve been putting off. Gardening can be your ultimate source of wellness, after all.

Sports

two women playing tennis outdoors

Another awesome outdoor exercise activity that you can get into is a sport. Playing a sport is an incredibly effective way to get in the exercise that you need and have fun while you’re doing it. You can play a competitive team sport to get to grips with things or with your friends, or go it alone and become a master of your own sport. Whatever takes your fancy is good for you to try. Variety is the spice of life, after all.

Travelling & Exploring

This one is a little less obvious to many people, but it’s always worth a thought before you decide what to do. When you are doing things like going to a new city or even waking your dog, why don’t you try a bit of exploring? Go a different route than the one you’re used to. Try out somewhere completely different. Do whatever you can to make the most of the sights and enjoy where you are in the moment. It’s a useful way for you to get to know your surroundings better, meet new people or discover new things!

Social Aspects

group of people playing Frisbee at the park

Another point that’s forgotten about with exercising outdoors is the social aspect that it has. It’s not only about playing team sports or going out with a tour group. Even just meeting up with friends for an hour and going somewhere new or playing around in a park with the kids can be incredibly effective for your well-being. You can tailor it to suit your preferences and do whatever you like really. Doing it with friends and family always makes things a little more fun and can be a great way to spend time together.

Practical Means

three people walking to work together

Finally, you can’t forget one of the most efficient ways to exercise outdoors, which is getting around. Instead of taking your car everywhere, why not take your bike for a change and mix things up. You’ll miss the traffic and get a workout at the same time, meaning you don’t have to spend time elsewhere in your day doing exercise. Who knows, you might even enjoy it!

The more time you spend outdoors, the more active you’re likely to be, so it’s always a good call to try and get out; however, you can do wherever you can do. Of course, it’s weather permitting, but if you find something that you love, it could be the best thing you ever tried!


Before beginning any exercise or nutrition program, consult your physician, doctor or other professional. This is especially important for individuals over the age of 35 or persons with pre-existing health problems. Exercise.co.uk assumes no responsibility for personal injury or property damage sustained using our advice.

If you experience dizziness, nausea, chest pain, or any other abnormal symptoms, stop the workout at once and consult a physician or doctor immediately.

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