Gym Vs. Outdoor Exercise: Why Is It Better to Workout Outside
The fitness landscape is changing. While traditional gyms offer convenience and variety, outdoor exercise delivers freedom, accessibility, and total-body results — without the membership fees or crowded spaces.
With Outdoor-Fit’s commercial outdoor fitness equipment, communities, developers, and property managers can offer residents and visitors the benefits of a modern gym experience — outside in the fresh air. Combining the convenience of the gym with the benefits of nature could be the right step on the path towards better health.
Gym Vs. Outdoor Exercise
Let's explore the pros and cons of both indoor gym and outdoor workouts and how outside gym workouts could be the superior choice for reaching your fitness goals.
Indoor Gym Workouts Pros
- Indoor exercises can be easily measured and monitored.
- Gyms provide a variety of equipment for strength training.
- Air conditioning provides a comfortable workout environment.
Indoor Gym Workouts Cons
- Gyms can be crowded, leading to frequent interruptions during an exercise.
- Lack of natural light.
- Expensive membership fees.
Outdoor Exercise Pros
- Outdoor workouts let you enjoy nature, which improves your mental health.
- People experience lower blood pressure due to green spaces and natural environment exposure.
- There are no fees, freeing up finances for personal training or other fitness goals.
Outdoor Exercise Cons
- Weather conditions can interrupt the exercise schedules.
- Lack of certain gym facilities like showers and lockers.
- Might not have the same variety of equipment as indoor gyms.
5 Examples of Gym Workouts You Can Do Outdoors
Chest Press on the Apollo Multigym
The chest press is a strength training exercise you can incorporate into your exercise routine. Use the APOLLO Multigym, which offers excellent adjustability and resistance for targeted workouts. Being outdoors can make workouts more enjoyable and encourage you to keep exercising, more so than working out in a gym.
Back Extensions on the Helios Multigym
Back extensions are a fantastic strength-training exercise, and equipment like HELIOS Multigym can facilitate this outdoor exercise. Open-air workouts can enhance social interactions, encouraging you to exercise more. Moderate-intensity outdoor workouts are refreshing and have the added benefit of sunshine.
Push-Ups on the Titan Multigym
Outdoor exercise equipment that has a push up platform, like the TITAN Multigym, is perfect for performing upper-body strength exercises like a push up. This workout engages your upper body in the open air, boosting blood circulation and offering better outcomes compared to gym workouts.
Seated Rowing with the Versa Hi-Lo Pulley System
Seated rows, whether indoors or outdoors, is a great workout that attracts both gym-goers and outdoor enthusiasts. When exercising outdoors, use outdoor exercise equipment like the VERSA Hi-Lo Pulley System and enjoy connecting with nature.
Hamstring Release on the Flex Multi-Stretch
The FLEX Multi-Stretch facilitates many full-body stretching techniques, like a hamstring release, that can be performed in outdoor settings. Incorporating the hamstring release into your outdoor workout’s warm-up and recovery can lead to better overall fitness results.
Why Is It Better to Workout Outside?
Taking your indoor gym workouts outside can lead to significant improvements in reaching your fitness goals. Exercising outdoors for extended periods lowers your blood pressure and improves cardiovascular health, lowering the chances of chronic diseases.
Switching from indoor to outdoor exercise delivers comprehensive benefits. Outdoor workouts facilitate achieving fitness goals more efficiently by offering balanced routines that incorporate cardiovascular exercises, strength training, and flexibility workouts. For inspiration on structuring your outdoor sessions, explore our guide to building the perfect circuit workout, which shows how to combine multiple exercises into an efficient, full-body training routine.
Greater Mental Well-Being
Exercising outdoors, often referred to as "green exercise," not only improves physical health but also enhances mental well-being. The combination of regular exercise and exposure to nature has significant positive effects on mental health. Natural light and green spaces can reduce negative moods and increase feelings of peace and positivity.
Varied Exercise Sessions
Outdoor exercise activities offer a diverse range of workouts, such as park runs, biking, kayaking and strength building, that can all be enjoyed in varying climates. This variation can significantly influence your exercise behavior, making your workout routine more enjoyable and encouraging regular workouts.
Lower Costs
Unlike gym memberships that involve ongoing expenses, outdoor workouts are cost-effective. You can perform numerous exercises using natural elements without additional costs. Many local parks also provide outdoor fitness equipment for strength training and cardiovascular exercises, making outdoor workouts a low-cost alternative.
Social Interaction
Outdoor workouts promote better social interactions compared to indoor gyms. Parks and outdoor spaces provide open settings that encourage interaction during exercise, allowing for group workouts or team sports. This not only enhances your exercise session but also contributes to your overall mental well-being.
Connecting With Nature
One of the most significant benefits of outdoor workouts is the opportunity to connect with nature. Exercising outdoors eliminates the mechanical feel of indoor gyms and exposes you to different environmental settings. This natural interaction during exercise has numerous health benefits, such as reducing stress, lowering blood pressure, and increasing vitamin D levels from sunlight exposure.
Transform Your Space With Outdoor-Fit Exercise Systems
Outdoor-Fit brings commercial-grade outdoor fitness equipment to parks, campuses, correctional facilities, and mixed-use developments across North America.
Our systems are:
- Tamperproof and weather-resistant for long-term durability
- Biomechanically correct for real exercise value
- Compact and multi-user for maximum space efficiency
- Customizable to fit your project’s branding or aesthetic
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Ready to Bring Real Exercise Outdoors?
Partner with Outdoor-Fit to create an outdoor gym that drives engagement, improves wellness, and adds value to your property or community.
Contact our team to discuss your next outdoor fitness project.