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We know how it goes – winter is the best time to focus on progressing on your lifts, eat a bit more, gain some muscle and strength, and become a tougher human being overall. But now, it’s officially summertime, and that means the weather is perfect for getting outside and exercising.
If you’re like most people, though, you might not know what activities are actually effective for you outdoors. Fear not – we’ve got you covered! In this post, we’ll discuss the benefits of working out outdoors and some practical outdoor training activities that you can use to continue progressing this summer.
Benefits
In addition to being a great way to get in shape, outdoor training is also a fun and effective way to improve mood, energy levels, and overall fitness. Practicing outdoor sports, such as hiking or canoeing, can give you a more varied workout and boost your creativity.
When compared to training in the gym, outdoor exercise enhances the positive effects of exercise by up to 50%. The natural environment is also more conducive to improving self-esteem and confidence. Also, training in nature improves mood and reduces anxiety. If you’re not already an active member of a gym or running club, consider trying this form of exercise during the summer.
The sun is a great source of Vitamin D. This vitamin helps the body absorb calcium, which helps in healthy bones. Additionally, you can also get more fresh air if you train outdoors. The outdoors are typically more beautiful and green than a gym, and the air smells better than the air inside a gym. So, besides the obvious physical benefits, outdoor training has many mental benefits as well.
Stress reduction
The American Psychological Association has called the 2020 stress in America report “a national mental health crisis.” The survey of 4/5 Americans found that 78 percent of respondents said COVID-19 was a significant source of their daily stress.
Furthermore, one in five Americans said their mental health in 2020 was worse than the year before. Almost half said their mental health affected their behavior. The good news is that you can reduce your stress levels through outdoor training.
Spending time outdoors is a proven way to reduce stress. Research in Japan showed that just 20 minutes of forest bathing or a leisurely walk through the park reduced levels of the stress chemical cortisol in participants.
While it may seem like an insignificant amount of time, a short time outdoors can greatly reduce cortisol, a hormone that is naturally produced by our bodies in response to stress. As a result, getting out in nature can reduce stress and blood pressure.
Another benefit to spending time outside is the fact that most Americans spend 90 percent of their time indoors. Spending time in nature is one of the best stress-reduction methods available. Spending time in nature is free, and the benefits are significant.
Moreover, the physical activity you do outside will increase your mood and reduce stress. It is important to find a way to incorporate outdoor activities into your life. They will help you de-stress.
Many people shy away from outdoor exercise, preferring a climate-controlled, sterilized gym. However, the benefits of outdoor training are enhanced when done in a natural environment. Specifically, the benefits of outdoor training include increased cognition and reduced stress, anxiety, and depression.
By incorporating outdoor activities into your daily life, you will find it easier to stick to your workout regimen and enjoy it more. The best part? These benefits will last a lifetime.
Effective Outdoor Training Activities
These challenging, fun and highly effective exercises will leave you sweating like never before. So why not spice up your workout routine and give these outdoor activities a try? They’re simple to set up and execute, but they provide an intense challenge that will take your fitness to the next level.
Cycling
Cycling is one of the best outdoor activities to do during the summer. It is a great way to get some exercise, and it is also a lot of fun. Besides improving health and cardiovascular efficiency, cycling offers the opportunity to see the world and explore new places.
As a bonus, cycling can help you relax and unwind as well as keep you fit. So, if you are looking for a great summer activity, then look no further than cycling! There are many different types of bicycles that you can choose from, so it is important to find one that is right for you.
Planning to ride in the local parks and on roads? Get a road bike! Or maybe, you want to go extreme and ride off-road and downhill? Then, shoot for a mountain bike.
Swimming
Swimming is one of the best full-body summer activities because it is a great way to cool off and stay active at the same time. Swimming is also a great way to improve your cardiovascular health and efficiency.
Though a cardio activity, swimming gives your entire body one good workout, helping you sculpt a more aesthetic physique!
The best thing is that you can enjoy this activity all-around – In the open sea, in a river, or even in a closed pool. And once you get used to swimming, you can add a layer of difficulty by starting to…
Diving
Diving is a great way to explore the underwater world. There are many different types of diving, each with its own unique set of challenges and rewards.
For example, cave diving can be hazardous but also incredibly rewarding, as it allows you to explore some of the most beautiful and hidden parts of the oceans and seas.
You can also scuba dive, which will allow you to explore the underwater world for a longer time. But perhaps, the best type of diving is the one with no equipment – Just you, the water, and the diving mask.
This is also the most effective type of diving, from a training perspective, since it makes you utilize your lungs! Removing all the layers between you and the sea world will allow you to truly connect with the water and create a memorable experience… And a good workout!
Sprints
Sprints are a great workout because they are intense and short. They get your heart rate up quickly and keep it there, which is great for cardiovascular health, explosiveness, and muscular development.
Sprints are a great way to maintain and even further develop your entire musculature by all characteristics. The best thing is that you can add layers of complexity to them once they get easy.
Sprint uphill. Sprint on the sand. Sprint with a parachute. Furthermore, you can take the concept of sprints and utilize it across all the activities mentioned above!
Just do the movement, but more explosively, and feel how good the workout gets.
Baseball pitching practice
If you like baseball or want to get into the sport, then pitching practice is a great way to improve your fitness and skills. Pitching is an excellent full-body exercise that will work your core, legs, and arms. It’s also a good way to practice your technique and is great for honing your accuracy.
You can do pitching practice inside or outside, and it’s a great way to get fit into your own schedule. There are many other fitness benefits to pitching practice too. It’s a great way to improve your cardiovascular fitness, which will help you stay in shape year-round.
Pitching practice can also help you burn a lot of calories, which is great for weight loss. Pitching practice can also improve your muscular endurance, so you can play for longer before getting tired.
Football throw-and-catch game
This game is a twist on traditional throwing and catching that’s designed to spice up your fitness routine. You can play this game with a friend or partner just about anywhere. Football throwing and catching is great for improving your hand-eye coordination and fitness.
You can choose a football distance that’s appropriate for your fitness level. The football throwing and catching game is a full-body exercise that can be done in short bursts. It’s a great way to improve your coordination and fitness, and it’s a fun game to play with friends or family.
Hiking
If you’re looking for a workout that combines the fresh air and scenery of a walk outside with the physical challenge of a real workout, hiking is the perfect solution. Hiking is one of the best ways to get fit and outdoors at the same time. It’s convenient, accessible, and can be done by almost anyone.
If you’re new to hiking, make sure you start at a level that’s appropriate for you. If you’re out of shape, start with a shorter trail or a trail with fewer elevation changes. As you get fitter and better at hiking, you can increase the difficulty by hiking longer trails with more elevation change.
Hiking is a full-body workout that can be adjusted to suit all fitness levels. The amount of time you spend hiking will determine how intense your workout is. If you hike for a shorter amount of time you’ll get a lower intensity exercise, but if you hike for longer you’ll get a more intense workout.
We know that summer is the hottest season, where we get plenty of sun exposure. But if you want to cool off, you can retreat to the mountains for a hike!
Hiking can be done in many different places, including forests and mountains. It can also be a fun social activity, as it allows people to explore new areas together and chat while they walk. There are many different types of hikes that people can do, including easy, moderate, and challenging trails.
Mountain climbing
If you’re looking for a challenge, then mountain climbing is an excellent way to get fit. It’s a challenging workout that’s also fun and exciting. People of all fitness levels can take part in mountain climbing. The difficulty of a mountain climb can be adjusted based on your fitness level.
If you’re just starting out, you can take on a smaller mountain climb with fewer climbing holds. As your fitness level improves, you can take on more difficult climbs. Mountain climbing burns a ton of calories and develops your leg strength, core strength, and your upper body muscles. It’s a great way to improve your cardio fitness, too. If you really want to challenge yourself, try mountain climbing at a higher elevation. The higher you climb, the harder the workout.
Conclusion
Exercising outside is a convenient way to get fit that’s great for all fitness levels. These outdoor activities are easy to set up and can be done by almost anyone. They are designed to give you a challenging workout in a fun environment. So get off the couch and out into the sunshine! The great outdoors awaits, and with it, a bounty of training activities that can help you stay in shape all summer long.
From hiking to cycling or swimming, there’s something for everyone when it comes to summer outdoor training! What is your favorite summer activity? Comment below!
