7 Reasons Why Park Workouts Are Better For Your Health
By Catherine M, Staff Editor
Last Updated on March 6th, 2023 / Published on October 26, 2018
7 reasons why park workouts are better for your health
Hitting the gym every day is excellent! However, working out in a closed space over and over again can turn monotonous. In such a situation, you can mix it up and hit the park for some outdoor exercises. According to certain experts, park workouts can holistically improve your health than gymming. Furthermore, you have the freedom to try something new on a daily basis. Continue reading to know the benefits of park workouts.
You’ll get access to fresh air
Unlike the gym’s stale, recycled air, park workouts exposes your system to fresh air. This helps the body to release endorphins, triggering positive feelings in your mind. According to a study, approximately 70% of people feel revitalized just after having a 30-minute walk in parks. Whereas a similar statistic continues to feel worn out after a good gym session.
You’ll get a chance to embrace the sunshine vitamin
One of the biggest drawbacks of working out in the gym is that you have no exposure to natural light and sunshine. Park workouts are the easiest way to get sufficient exposure to sunlight that helps produce vitamin D in the body. Vitamin D can help improve moods; strengthen your muscles, bones, and immune system; and reduce the risks of cardiovascular disorders, obesity, diabetes, and other chronic diseases. Moreover, regular exposure to sunlight can keep the biological clock on track and encourage melatonin production even at night that helps improves sleep quality. However, ensure to wear sunscreen to prevent sunburns.
You’ll get an opportunity to burn more calories
After a point, the gym workouts can get monotonous as you’ll know what to expect. This can make your fitness regime dull, and eventually force you to even ditch the training. However, conditioning yourself to do park workouts can be much more exciting in the long run. The versatile area of a park will help you challenge yourself with different forms of goals. This can help you keep motivated and burn more calories.
You’ll work out for a longer time
Being distracted by nature and the people around can help take your mind off trivial things like how far you have run or how much calories you have burned. With park workouts, the time will fly faster and you might even put in the extra effort without getting exhausted quickly.
You’ll have lower stress levels
Park workouts can help lower stress levels, as green spaces are naturally calming to the mind. This can be a great option if you have been battling hypertension, chronic stress, anxiety, insomnia, or depression. Park workouts, especially in the mornings, can uplift your overall mood and keep you energetic throughout the day.
You’ll be safe from infections
Many medical studies suggest that public spaces like a gym can be a breeding ground for different types of germs. MRSA, herpes simplex, ringworm, athlete’s foot, and boils are some common health hazards that can be transmitted if one is using a contaminated equipment. Also, the indoor air is comparatively more polluted than the outdoor air. Therefore, it would be healthier to switch to park workouts to ensure that you don’t catch any illnesses.
You’ll save money
Let’s face it, gym memberships can often be expensive. You can easily end up spending a thousand dollars or two annually on fitness centers. At times, you may not be even using it, so you are substantially wasting a lot of your money. Likewise, buying gym equipment for the home can prove to be redundant once you grow out of it. Working out in parks, on the other hand, bears no type of financial burden, where the room for experimenting is endless! If you have a spin membership that you scarcely use, then drop it and ride a bike outdoors. It could also save you some gas money if you usually drive to the gym, at the same time, also inhibiting your individual carbon footprint.