Photo Credit: Francois Olwage
Exercising outdoors means a lungful of fresh air – and a more satisfying workout for your body and brain.
Science proves it.
Running (Treadmill vs outdoors)
Mental benefit – Runners who took it outside reported feeling 225% more satisfied than those who ran on indoor treadmills, a Utah State study found.
Physical benefit – In the same study, outdoor runners completed a 5km run four minutes faster than treadmill runners did.
Photo Credit: Fabio Comparelli
Bicycling (Stationary bike vs road ride)
Mental benefit – In a recent French study, men who used bike trainers perceived a higher level of exertion than those who rode outdoors at the same pace.
Physical benefit – Road riding requires 5% more propulsive force than pedalling a stationary bike at the same speed does, the French researchers say.
Me – I prefer trail riding; it takes a lot more effort than road riding but I enjoy it more.
Photo Credit: Chris Henry
Rowing (Ergometer vs scull)
Mental benefit – Team rowing on the water creates a greater sense of euphoria than solo indoor rowing, a recent British study found.
Physical benefit – In a Brazilian study, outdoor rowers burnt 26% more kilojoules during a mock race than those on sliding rowing ergometers did.
Me – not really into scull rowing, so you could just grab a kayak and hit the ocean, river or lake near you.
Photo Credit: Matteo Vistocco
And there are some many other outdoor options to choose from, no need to keep it indoors.
