The Benefits of Outdoor Exercise

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The Benefits of Outdoor Exercise

By Megan Roup

Megan holds a BFA in Dance from NYU Tisch School of the Arts and is a certified fitness instructor. She danced professionally with the NBA’s Brooklynettes. Megan has been recognized by top publications like Vogue, Goop, Shape and WWD, and has worked with world-renowned brands such as Chanel and New Balance. Learn more about Megan

There’s no such thing as too much nature. Here’s why outdoor exercise makes you happier, healthier, and more connected to your surroundings.

While it’s certainly easy to unroll your mat in the living room for a lunchtime quickie workout, we’re here to tell you: Summer’s here, the weather’s gorgeous, and nothing hits like getting out in the fresh air for outdoor exercise. This might mean cross-training with running, biking, and hiking; jumping in the water for swimming, surfing, or paddleboarding; or it could be as simple as inviting a friend to take your go-to dance cardio class in the park. Not only is outdoor exercise a super-fun, super-scenic way to fit a workout in during the day, it can also be just as, if not more, challenging than the workouts you do in your home gym. Plus, there are so many health benefits to exercising outdoors—and you’ll unlock all of these when you take your mat out with you to the backyard. So without further ado, here are all the reasons—mental and physical—you’re going to want to head to the great outdoors for your next great workout…

Connect with nature

Given all the time we spend on our digital devices, unplugging is key—and you don’t need to plan a three-night backpacking trip to reap the full benefits of connecting with nature. Sitting inside on your digital devices all day can lead to spiraling, while spending time doing physical activity outdoors can help you feel happier, less worried, and more grounded. After your quickie park workout, consider taking a mindfulness walk to fully decompress and take in the fresh air. Feel the breeze on your skin, the sunlight on your face, and listen to the birdsong. (Sounds pretty nice right about now, doesn’t it?) You’ll feel so much more relaxed when you do get back to your regularly scheduled screen time.

Boost your mood

One of the many psychological benefits of outdoor workouts is mood enhancement. Both working out and spending time in the natural environment have been linked to an increase in endorphins—think how powerfully it affects your mood when you’re doing both at the same time! Making outdoor activity a regular priority can seriously boost your mental health; lifting depression, reducing anxiety, and even helping foster a sense of awe as you take in the change of scenery. Imagine how much better you will feel with an improved mood!

Reduce stress

Another mental health benefit that outdoor physical activity can provide is reduced stress. Even if you’re outside for the length of just one of our quickie workouts, being in nature has a calming effect on your mind. Outdoor exercise reduces cortisol (your body’s main stress hormone), giving you a mini-vacation from your daily grind. Of all the benefits of outdoor exercise, helping you feel centered, grounded, and less anxious might be number-one for us.

Soak up the sun

Safely, of course! You need SPF, but you also need vitamin D—a nutrient that’s critical for building bones and maintaining healthy tissues. Regular exposure to sunlight is essential: It helps boost your immune system, bone health, and overall mood and wellbeing. There’s nothing under the sun like outdoor exercise to keep you feeling happier, and if you’re strengthening your immune system while you’re at it? Sign us up for that beach yoga class…just don’t forget to bring a hat + sunscreen. 

Mix it up

We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: One of the best ways to stay motivated for regular workouts is by adding some variety to your routine. Outdoor exercise and change of scenery is the perfect way to shake up your go-to TSS workout. Head to a friends’ backyard or that park you’ve always wanted to visit to make your favorite class feel brand new again. Take healthy living to the next level and create your own outdoor gym.

Sleep more soundly

One of the numerous benefits of outdoor exercise? Break a sweat outside during the day and you’ll actually sleep better that night. Exposure to sunlight during the waking hours helps regulate your body’s internal clock, so you’ll get a deeper, longer nights’ sleep after that hike or bike ride. Not only that, but if you’re totally worn out after your workout, you’re more apt to crash earlier. It’s a great reason to try our Advanced program, just saying...

Build endurance

Although outdoor exercise always seems to go by more quickly than a gym sesh (time flies when you’re having fun in nature), you’re actually often getting an even harder workout in. Changes in terrain force your body to work harder. And if you’re sweating it out on a hot day, you’re putting your cardiovascular system to the test and building stamina. Outdoor activity can be a great addition to your workout regime to achieve those fitness goals. Aerobic outdoor exercise is great for cardiovascular health…just don’t forget to stay very well-hydrated.

Take your workout outside with the TSS Outdoors Collection

Scenic workouts just dropped. Get outside for a sweat sesh under the sun, or treat yourself to a mini-staycation with our TSS Outdoors collection. Transport yourself to Montana, California, Hawaii, Mexico, or The Hamptons in just one tap. Outdoor exercise has never looked better—we’ll see you out there!

Sources:

  1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3710158/
  2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9914639/
  3. https://www.washingtonpost.com/wellness/2023/04/12/outdoor-exercise-benefits/

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The Benefits of Outdoor Exercise

The Benefits of Outdoor Exercise

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