BENIFITS OF OUTDOORS EXERCISE

As the evenings become lighter, and the clocks going forward, exercising outdoors becomes far more appealing than a visit to the gym. A good outdoor workout provides physical and mental stimulation. I'm not suggesting that you start hugging the trees, but a little time spent using your environment and breathing fresh air is good for the soul. The trend in the UK, over the past couple of years has been towards mountain walking, hiking and biking, reflecting our desire to free ourselves from our “housed-in” lives. I'm very much in favour of this shift.  

Sunlight stimulates our bodies to make vitamin D, essential for bone and organ health. A study of 7,437 British people found that high levels of the vitamin can alleviate depression and reduce insomnia! 

Use more calories

A 1996 British study discovered that you burn more energy running outdoors (the lack of air resistance makes it less of an effort to run indoors on a treadmill).  

Get close to nature

When New York researchers quizzed park runners about why they enjoyed exercising outdoors, the joggers said being close to nature was stimulating and restorative.  

Avoid grubby gyms

A 2006 American study of two fitness centres, published in the Clinical Journal of Sport Medicine, discovered that the rhinovirus, which causes colds, was on 63 per cent of sports equipment that had contact with hands.  

Outside circuit training had been proven to be one of the most effective ways to get fit and it challenges the CV system plus working your muscles fully! Give it a try.