As Covid restrictions begin to lift, we can start to plan with optimism for the warmer weather! I’m sure that many of you, like me, have grown tired of the at-home workouts and the cold winter running. Though it seems that the gyms and leisure centres will shortly be re-opening, many of you may not feel ready to return just yet. This strange year has also provided many people with a new found passion for health and fitness, as we’re reminded of the fragility and importance of our physical well being. So if we’re not feeling prepared to enter the gyms and leisure centres, or would just prefer to avoid them, how can we take our workouts outside into the warm weather this spring?We’ll begin with the obvious...
Most forms of cardio are best completed outside; running, cycling, hiking, team sports and more. With the weather improving, you may find it more enjoyable, not to mention good for your mental health, to ditch the treadmill and get outside! If we consider our health and fitness to be more than just physical, we can properly realise the benefits of exercising outside. Spending time in nature has been found to help with mental health problems including anxiety and depression. With this in mind, consider using your spare time this spring to get outside for long walks/runs/cycles, and make a note of how you feel having done so.
Things get a little trickier when we try to transition our weight, and resistance training to the outdoors, but this is not to say that it can’t be done! First of all I would recommend that you check for outdoor gyms near you. These (usually free) park-looking gyms are a brilliant alternative to your indoor workout, outside in the warm weather. The machines here tend to rely on manipulation of body weight, so the resistance is relative for everyone and suitable for all fitness levels.
Next we can consider workouts in the garden with affordable equipment.
When you first enter a gym, it can seem quite daunting as there is such a wide array of equipment available for you to use. It can be easy to think, ‘How could I possibly replicate this at home?’ Well the truth is that 90% of the equipment in the gym is just a selection of optional extras. The good news is actually that we only need a small selection of equipment, and a little research and creativity. We can complete workouts for every single body part using only a set of dumbbells, or a barbell. Either an adjustable set of dumbbells or a barbell with a handful of plates would be my first suggestion to acquire for your home workouts, as a very quick online search will show you how you can use just these to complete a very comprehensive full-body workout.
Lastly let’s consider organised team and solo sports.
Often when we think about a good workout, we tend to neglect organised sports like football, tennis, basketball, rugby etc. If you’re looking to get outside with your exercise, perhaps consider pursuing a new sport. Not only will this help you along your fitness journey, but having something new to focus on, as well as a skill to improve on, can really help us to stay committed to our goal and consistent with our training. Consistency is the key to progress, so be sure to pick a sport you genuinely enjoy; otherwise you’ll be setting yourself up for failure.
Hopefully this has given you some ideas for how to get outside this spring. We’ve all had a difficult year, and it is not in the best interest of our physical or mental health to stay indoors and remain inactive. Do your mind and body a favour, get outside this spring and get moving!
