If you’re working on figuring out a long-term exercise routine, you may be asking yourself whether it’s better to go with indoor or outdoor workouts. A workout is a workout, of course, but an indoor workout may provide benefits that an outdoor workout doesn’t, and vice versa. So, which of the two is better? Let’s take a look at some of the benefits of outdoor vs. indoor workouts.
Indoors: Weather-Proof
If you’ve done outdoor exercise sessions in the past, you probably know the pain of gearing up for a run, only to find out that it’s raining, extremely humid, or some other sort of nasty weather that’s going to make your workout session that much more difficult. With a roof over your head, though, the weather has absolutely no bearing on your workout routine or the quality thereof, so you can stay in shape come rain or shine.
Outdoors: Environmental Variety
If you’re working on figuring out a long-term exercise routine, you may be asking yourself whether it’s better to go with indoor or outdoor workouts. A workout is a workout, of course, but an indoor workout may provide benefits that an outdoor workout doesn’t, and vice versa. So, which of the two is better? Let’s take a look at some of the benefits of each.
Indoors: Weather-Proof
If you’ve done outdoor exercise sessions in the past, you probably know the pain of gearing up for a run, only to find out that it’s raining, extremely humid, or some other sort of nasty weather that’s going to make your workout session that much more difficult. With a roof over your head, though, the weather has absolutely no bearing on your workout routine or the quality thereof, so you can stay in shape come rain or shine.
Outdoors: Environmental Variety
An estimated one billion people across the globe suffer from vitamin D deficiency, which leads to cramps, aches and pains, fatigue, and an overall worse mood. With so much of our lives spent indoors, we often don’t get enough time in the sun for our vitamin D needs to be met, so an outdoor workout is the best way to compensate. Many people who exercise outdoors regularly note a boosted mood and a greater sense of alertness, so if you’ve been feeling lethargic lately, an outdoor workout regimen may be just the thing you need.
Indoors: Specialized Workout Equipment
Many workout routines designed for strength training and muscle building involve exercises that require highly specific pieces of equipment. Most of these pieces of equipment are designed for indoor use exclusively, so if you happen to get your hands on one, it’ll have to stay in your home gym. Of course, the disadvantages of being bound indoors are far outweighed by the advantages of having this specialized workout equipment, which typically allows you to target the specific muscle groups you want to train and focus on them until you’ve achieved the results you want.
Outdoors: No Subscription Fee or Equipment Required
The downside to all of this equipment, though, is that someone has to pay for it, and usually, that someone is you. Whether you’re buying the equipment upfront, renting it for your home gym, or paying for a gym subscription, indoor workout routines have a bad habit of becoming very expensive, very quickly.
If you can afford it, there’s not a problem, but if you’re trying to pinch a few pennies here and there, an outdoor workout is the way to go. As most outdoor exercise routines heavily lean on movement-based cardio, there’s minimal, if any, equipment involved. Do you have a comfy set of workout clothes and a body that can move? If so, you most likely have everything you need for a great outdoor workout.
The Verdict?
So, with all things said and done, which is better: indoor or outdoor exercises? Ultimately, it’s a matter of personal preference. There’s no such thing as a single perfect workout routine. What works for one person may not work for the next, so having a great routine is all about finding what works for you personally. We recommend incorporating both indoor and outdoor exercises into your routine to experience the benefits of both, but ultimately, the decision is up to you, so find what you most enjoy and go for it!
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