Outdoor Fitness Research

Benefits of Exercising Outdoors

People working out at an outdoor gym

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

Fresh air and sunlight paired with a workout enhance well being. Read our white paper if you are interested in all the research behind.
people working out on a outdoor fitness area - hero image

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.

people working out on outdoor fitness equipment

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.

Community fitness outdoors

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.

Picture of an outdoor fitness area designed in different zones

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.

AppStore

Download white paper

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.

Download white paper
The benefits of exercising outdoors versus indoors

References

  • Holick MF. Biological Effects of Sunlight, Ultraviolet Radiation, Visible Light, Infrared Radiation and Vitamin D for Health. Anticancer Res. 2016 Mar;36(3):1345-56.

  • De la Guía-Galipienso F, Martínez-Ferran M, Vallecillo N, Lavie CJ, Sanchis-Gomar F, Pareja-Galeano H. Vitamin D and cardiovascular health. Clin Nutr. 2021 May;40(5):2946- 2957.

  • Sluyter JD, Manson JE, Scragg R. Vitamin D and Clinical Cancer Outcomes: A Review of Meta-Analyses. JBMR Plus. 2020 Nov 4;5(1):e10420.

  • Heiskanen V, Pfiffner M, Partonen T. Sunlight and health: shifting the focus from vitamin D3 to photobiomodulation by red and near-infrared light. Ageing Res Rev. 2020 Aug;61:101089.

  • Tan DX, Reiter RJ, Zimmerman S, Hardeland R. Melatonin: Both a Messenger of Darkness and a Participant in the Cellular Actions of Non-Visible Solar Radiation of Near Infrared Light. Biology (Basel). 2023 Jan 6;12(1):89.

  • Minich DM, Henning M, Darley C, Fahoum M, Schuler CB, Frame J. Is Melatonin the “Next Vitamin D”?: A Review of Emerging Science, Clinical Uses, Safety, and Dietary Supplements. Nutrients. 2022 Sep 22;14(19):3934.

  • Boubekri M, Lee J, MacNaughton P, Woo M, Schuyler L, Tinianov B, Satish U. The Impact of Optimized Daylight and Views on the Sleep Duration and Cognitive Performance of Office Workers. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2020 May 6;17(9):3219.

  • Boere K, Lloyd K, Binsted G, Krigolson OE. Exercising is good for the brain but exercising outside is potentially better. Sci Rep. 2023 Jan 20;13(1):1140.

  • Wang X, Zhou Q, Zhang M, Zhang Q. Exercise in the Park or Gym? The Physiological and Mental Responses of Obese People Walking in Different Settings at Different Speeds: A Parallel Group Randomized Trial. Front Psychol. 2021 Oct 22;12:728826.

  • Wicks C, Barton Jo, Orbell S, Andrews L. Psychological benefits of outdoor physical activity in natural versus urban environments: A systematic review and meta-analysis of experimental studies. Appl Psychol Health Well Being. 2022 Aug;14(3):1037-1061.

  • Kerr J, Sallis JF, Saelens BE, Cain KL, Conway TL, Frank LD, King AC. Outdoor physical activity and self-rated health in older adults living in two regions of the U.S. Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act. 2012 Jul 30;9:89.

  • Niedermeier M, Einwanger J, Hartl A, Kopp M. Affective responses in mountain hiking-A randomized crossover trial focusing on differences between indoor and outdoor activity. PLoS One. 2017 May 16;12(5):e0177719.

  • Bernhard GH, Madronich S, Lucas RM, Byrne SN, Schikowski T, Neale RE. Linkages between COVID-19, solar UV radiation, and the Montreal Protocol. Photochem Photobiol Sci. 2023 Mar 30:1–19.