Let’s face it. This past year, between the pandemic, work-from-home orders, and shut downs, the amount of time we’ve spent outdoors has dwindled.
But now that it’s summer and COVID-19 cases are decreasing, it’s time to get outside again!
One great thing about Ken Method is our location: we’re located in Tribeca, right across from Pier 26 and Pier 25.
Due to our location, we get the luxury of taking some of our training sessions outdoors! With large lawns, sports play areas, and beautiful views, Tribeca is truly the place to be for outdoor activities.
We encourage taking training sessions outside, as the beneficial effects of spending time outdoors are well established. From a better night’s sleep to improved mental health, here are some top benefits of exercising outdoors.
1. The Benefits of Sunshine
Did you know that we’re able to create vitamin D from direct sunlight exposure? During the summer months, most people are able to get all the vitamin D needed from sunlight! Vitamin D is an important nutrient, needed to promote bone growth and development as well as other important bodily functions.
Of course, excess sunlight exposure can cause harm, so don’t forget protective sunscreen while training outdoors.
2. Lowers Your Stress Levels
The pandemic has left us with unfortunate side effects, one of which is the negative effect on our mental health, which makes finding stress-management tools even more important. While exercising by itself does a great deal to lower stress, doing your workout outside takes it to the next level.
Spending time outside right now provides a welcome relief from stress: research has shown that working out in nature lowers both blood pressure and heart rate. Additionally, sunlight exposure can increase the brain’s release of serotonin, a mood-boosting hormone that helps people feel calm and focused.
3. Gives You Some Variety
We’re all used to working out in a gym… why don’t you try breaking the routine? Take advantage of the great outdoors; as mentioned, Tribeca offers a multitude of workout venues: exercise parks, sports fields, stairs, and jogging trails, all for you to diversify your workouts and explore new training places!
Wherever you are, think creatively about your surroundings and use it to your advantage to create a fresh workout session. By switching up your environment and workouts, you’ll get bored less easily, leading to better adherence.
4. It’s free!
All of the outdoor amenities, in Tribeca and mostly elsewhere, are free! You don’t need to pay for a gym membership or extra gas to simply get outside.
You may wonder what workouts you can do outside, since gym equipment is not provided at public parks. Well, exercising doesn’t always require equipment: bodyweight exercise can be very effective and can help with a range of biomotor abilities including power, endurance, coordination, and balance.
Try a full-body bodyweight circuit or a HIIT workout. You can also bring your own equipment (we love using bands for outdoor activities) for added resistance.
While working out in a gym is fantastic, consider taking some workouts outside, or even just incorporating a short walk each day. Even just 20 minutes a day spent in nature can lower stress, boost self-esteem, improve mood, and lower blood pressure. What are you waiting for: Get outside and move!
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Have questions about exercise or nutrition? Email me at josephine@kenmethod.com. Just let me know you read this article and I'll get back to you within 24 hours.
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