Winter may be the season when most people retreat indoors, but outdoor workouts during this chilly time of year provide so many benefits that often go overlooked. As the temperatures drop and the beauty of nature transforms in winter wonderland, it creates a beautiful background for staying active.
Exercising outside can help fight against winter blues and improve both physical and mental wellbeing. From boosting your immune system to improving mood and motivation, embracing the cold can lead to a richer, more invigorating fitness experience.
Let’s explore the advantages of winter workouts outside, inspiring you to bundle up and take your fitness routine beyond the four walls of the gym.
Boosts immune system
Viruses and bacteria seem to thrive every winter, doing their annual rounds on everyone. From schools to workplaces, catching the common cold or flu is almost inevitable – emphasis on almost. By keeping your body fit and active, you can help your body fight off nasty bugs and keep yourself sick-free for longer.
Regular exercise is known to improve blood circulation, boosting the production of immune cells and antibodies, which in turn improves the efficiency of the immune system in detecting and responding to pathogens.
Exercise also helps strengthen the respiratory system, which can enhance lung function and increase your body's ability to fight off respiratory illnesses.
Great cardiovascular workout
Outdoor workouts improve cardiovascular health by promoting increased heart rate and circulation. Engaging in activities on outdoor gym equipment like running on a Double Health Walker, cycling on an Arm & Pedal Bicycle or rowing on a Rower machine elevates your heart’s efficiency and helps in building a stronger lung capacity.
The fresh air and natural surroundings can boost motivation and reduce stress, making it easier to maintain a regular exercise routine.
This consistent physical activity reduces the risk of heart disease, lowers blood pressure, and helps manage weight, contributing to a healthier cardiovascular system overall.
Enhances mental health
Exercising outdoors in winter can boost mental health by providing a combination of physical activity and exposure to nature. The crisp, cold air invigorates the senses, while the beauty of snowy, winter spaces can inspire a sense of peace.
A Sunshine Gym workout also boosts endorphin levels, which enhances your mood and alleviates stress and anxiety. Keeping up with a workout routine during the colder months promotes a sense of achievement, contributing to overall well-being and combating feelings associated with winter blues or seasonal affective disorder.
Improves sleep
Exposure to natural light during the day helps to regulate the circadian rhythm, making it easier to fall asleep at night. This means that exercising outside in winter, even just 15 minutes during the few hours of sunlight, improves your body’s internal clock and promotes better rest patterns for improved sleep quality.
The combination of fresh air and physical activity also reduces anxiety and tension, leading to a more relaxed mindset before bedtime.
Burns more calories
Did you know that exercising outdoors in cold weather can actually help to burn more calories than working out in a warmer environment? It’s true – when the body is exposed to cold temperatures, it works harder to maintain its core temperature, which leads to an increase in the amount of calories burned!
This process, known as thermogenesis, requires extra energy as the body burns additional calories to produce heat. The added resistance of cold air can also intensify workouts, making activities like sky stepping, running and cycling more challenging.
Exercise outside with Sunshine Gym
Embracing outdoor workouts during the colder months offers many benefits that extend beyond mere physical fitness. From boosting your mood and helping seasonal affective disorder to enhancing your overall well-being, outdoor exercise can transform the colder months into an opportunity for growth and renewal.
Layer up, stay mindful of safety and get outside to enjoy the crisp air this winter – your body and mind will thank you!
Contact our teams today to set up an outdoor Sunshine Gym on 01782 571719 or email [email protected]