Outdoor Fitness Research
Benefits of Exercising Outdoors
What are the Benefits of Using an Outdoor Gym?
As the popularity of fitness continues to rise, outdoor gyms have emerged as a versatile and accessible option for many. These open-air fitness stations provide all the benefits of exercising outdoors while offering the structure and equipment typically found in traditional gyms. Using an outdoor gym enhances your physical health and boosts your cognitive well-being, offers unique social opportunities, and are often free of charge.
4 Main Benefits of Outdoor Exercise
Physical Health
Outdoor gyms are equipped with a variety of exercise machines and tools that allow for full-body workouts. Whether you're focused on strength training, cardio, or flexibility, an outdoor gym provides the equipment needed to achieve a balanced fitness routine.
Psychological Benefits
One of the key advantages of using an outdoor gym is the exposure to natural surroundings and sunlight, which significantly reduces stress levels. The combination of exercise and being outside can help with stress relief.
Social Interactions
Outdoor gyms often serve as community hubs where people of all fitness levels come together. This creates opportunities for social interaction, which can provide additional motivation and make your fitness journey more enjoyable and sustainable.
Free of Charge
One of the most significant benefits of outdoor gyms is that they are typically free to use, making fitness accessible to everyone. This is especially beneficial for those who may not have the financial resources for a traditional gym membership.
Indoor vs Outdoor Exercise
Exercising outdoors offers numerous advantages over indoor workouts, including indirect benefits like increased motivation and enjoyment. Additionally, specific physical and cognitive health benefits derive from exercising in natural daylight and fresh air. Recent research suggests that the health benefits of natural daylight extend far beyond vitamin D, prompting the need for new guidelines on prioritising outdoor exposure for health (Holick, 2016).
Outdoor fitness equipment can be installed in public spaces with free access and proximity to residential areas. This makes it an effective approach to combining the health benefits of exercise and outdoor exposure.
With the large variety of outdoor fitness equipment, you can choose cardio equipment and adjustable strength training equipment as you know it from indoors. But you can also go with calisthenics and outdoor fitness stations, that still offer a great workout session.
KOMPAN Fit App
How to Get Started
To help you get started with your outdoor workout routine, the KOMPAN Fit app suggests personalized workouts based on the equipment available at your local outdoor gym, ensuring you maximize your exercise routine.
Choose the equipment available at your location, and the app will suggest different workout plans that align with your fitness goals, whether it’s strength training, cardio, or flexibility.
The app also provides step-by-step guidance, making it easy to use the outdoor gym equipment correctly and efficiently.
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Interested in the Science behind the Benefits of Outdoor Gyms?
This article summarises the white paper "The benefits of exercising outdoors versus indoors”.
You can download the white paper below to learn more about the subject.
References
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