THE BENEFITS OF OUTDOOR TRAINING

With the weather we get in England, it is sometimes difficult to motivate yourself to get outside at all in the week. However, venturing outdoors is extremely beneficial for the body, and exercising outside has benefits that go beyond the fresh air. Here are the top 5 reasons why you should put on your outdoor trainers and get down to the park for a spot of outdoor exercise:

1. Brain Stimulation

Interacting with nature gives your brain a break from everyday overstimulation, which can have a restorative effect on your attention levels. By looking at nature rather than the four walls you see when you workout inside, your mind will switch off more effectively and will get a much deserved break from the constant stimulation it has in everyday life.

2. Mental Positivity

Studies have shown that simply looking at photos of nature can lower your blood pressure and stress levels, therefore working out in the nature enhances these effects; it is known to reduce stress and anxiety and even helps with depression. Whether a hot sunny evening or a cold winters morning, getting your heart racing in the fresh air makes you feel more active and helps to give you that positive boost that you sometimes lack.

3. Quicker Results

Without realising it, your body tends to work itself harder when exercising outside. The terrain is varied which means that all sorts of muscles that you don’t necessarily train on a daily basis have to work overtime to remain balanced. Working out on concrete, grass, mud and earth helps to keep your muscles constantly stimulated. Weather conditions also work your body in different ways, adapting to sun, rain, wind or snow.

4. A Better Workout

Having the view of trees and greenery rather than the four walls at the gym helps to relax your mind and therefore stops you focusing all of your attention on how tired your body is. This, in turn, allows you to push your body a lot harder than you usually would without even realising.

5. Health Kick

Exercising outdoors is also known to boost your immune system. Recent research from Tokyo Nippon Medical School has shown that people who spend more time outside have an increased white blood cell count (white blood cells fight sickness and disease in our body). Therefore, moving our workouts to the outdoors could help improve our health and stop us getting as ill when those viruses start to circulate in the colder months.

So next time when the allure of the gym starts to beckon, think about the above and remember that the fresh air, tree surroundings and muddy terrain could be all you need to give you the health and positivity boost you need.

Love my workouts in @didsburypark

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