5 reasons to ditch the gym and exercise outside

It’s been scientifically proven that we tend to lose track of time much easier and exercise longer when we’re outside. Spring is a perfect time to give outdoor exercising a shot, so trade the treadmill for a park or a bike trail and enjoy breathing better air. There are plenty of different outdoor exercises you can try so just be creative and go outside - even if you’re not a runner. Here are 5 reasons to ditch the gym this spring

1 You’ll burn more calories

Just think about how running on a treadmill compares to running outside - the same distance can feel a lot more challenging outdoors. The same goes for indoor and outdoor cycling. Adjusting to a variety of terrains, inclines and natural elements are a much greater challenge for your body both mentally and physically, and that will make you burn calories than running on a treadmill.

2 You’ll be in a better mood

Experts have been trying to tell us how important spending time outside is: it helps you relieve stress and anxiety since the extra space, the natural colors and fresh air are all natural remedies. Going outside will help your body relax and boost your mood as your cells get much more oxygen, and more oxygen means your body can produce more serotonin, a hormone that contributes to the feelings of well-being and happiness. It also helps you live a longer, healthier and happier life.

3 You’ll enjoy that it feels less a routine

It’s been scientifically proven that we tend to lose track of time much easier and exercise longer when we’re outside. One of the reasons why we feel that way is that exercising indoors can seem a lot more boring: the most “exciting” things that can happen to us in a gym are catching a glimpse of ourselves in the mirror, staring at a screen or constantly comparing ourselves to others in the gym. Observing nature takes your mind off of other things and moving makes you more alert so you don’t feel like you’re doing something monotonous.

4 You’ll save some money

According to MarketWatch, the average American spends $155 per month on their health and fitness. The colder months might make you spend even more so seize the opportunity and go outside when it’s warmer - in addition to all the health benefits of exercising outside, you can exercise for free. People usually associate outdoor exercise with running or cycling but going outside does not mean limited options: you can be very effective using everyday objects you find in a park or you can go to your local outdoor gym.

5 You’ll be much more creative

Many people prefer the gym simply because they think they lack the creativity it takes to be effective without using fancy gym equipment but the truth is, substituting machines takes very little effort and creativity. Running on the treadmill can obviously be substituted very easily but remember, jogging is not your only option. Doing sprints is one of the most effective fat burners, especially if you do it uphill. Using an ordinary bench can be very effective as well: with the right exercises you can easily do triceps workouts or train legs and glutes. Doing squats, burpees or lunges does not require any equipment - just do a bit of research online if you’re feeling uninspired.

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