There are plenty of benefits of outdoor training, but that doesn’t mean it’s any easier to motivate yourself to do it. Getting your workout done outdoors can be challenging, especially if you don’t have any equipment. But the pros of outdoor training far outweigh the cons. Working out in nature has been shown to improve mental health, reduce stress, and give us more energy. It also has many physical benefits as well like better balance, coordination, strength and endurance. If you’re interested in getting started with outdoor training here are some helpful tips.
Plan Ahead
When you’re outdoors you have less control over variables like the weather, daylight hours and access to equipment, so it’s important to plan ahead. For instance, if you want to do sprints or running, check the weather report to make sure you’re not going to get rained out — or worse, hurt yourself by running on slick or uneven surfaces.
Create a calendar with your workouts written in so you don’t have to think about what to do each day. This will help you avoid any last-minute scrambling or stress.
Go Early Or Late In The Day
Many people prefer outdoor training because the sunlight can help them stay energized throughout their workout. But the intensity of the light outside can be too much for some people, especially those who are sensitive to light, like those with the seasonal affective disorder (SAD). If that’s the case, you may want to go early or late in the day. This will allow you to avoid the brightest parts of the day and help you avoid any headaches or feelings of fatigue associated with overexposure to light.
Incorporate Strength And Flexibility Training
Strength training is important for building muscle, which can help you avoid injury, increase your metabolism and improve your posture. Strength training also helps you burn more calories, even when you’re not exercising.
Research from the American Council on Exercise found that people who lifted weights three times a week for 12 weeks significantly improved their aerobic capacity (the amount of oxygen their bodies can process). And the more muscle mass you have the more calories you can burn at rest. Flexibility training is just as important as strength training, even though we don’t often think about it that way. Flexibility training improves your range of motion and can help prevent injury when working out.
Set Small, Achievable Goals
One of the biggest challenges of outdoor training can be the lack of structure. When working out indoors, you can follow a set routine and plan your workouts in advance. When working out outside, you need to be more flexible. Working out in nature can be a great way to break out of a rut, but it’s important to set realistic goals for yourself when doing so.
It’s always a good idea to have a plan for what you’re going to do, but when working out outdoors you have to be more flexible.
Don’t Forget The Basics
While it’s important to challenge yourself when exercising outside, it’s also important not to get too caught up in the novelty of working out in nature. Make sure to keep your workouts safe and follow the same safety precautions you would indoors. Follow proper form when lifting weights and make sure you’re doing exercises that are safe for your body, like squats, lunges and planks. It is recommended to have a professional mobile personal trainer to teach you and guide you on your outdoor training.
It’s also important to finish your workouts with a cool-down and relaxation. This will help your body recover from the workout and reduce any soreness or stiffness that may have occurred.
Train Using Equipment
If you have access to equipment outdoors, like a TRX, Dumbbells/Kettlebells, or Bands they can be a great way to challenge yourself and avoid boredom. If you don’t have access to equipment or you just want to challenge yourself even further, you can start out just using your body weight.
Don’t Push Yourself Too Hard
Outdoor training should be one of your most enjoyable and relaxing forms of training. If you’re pushing yourself too hard, it can make it a lot less enjoyable.
Try to train at your level and don’t forget to set the intention of enjoying yourself. If you’re new to outdoor training, start small. Try to exercise for 20 to 40 minutes a day, three days a week and gradually increase from there. It’s also important to listen to your body and not push yourself too hard. If you feel like you’re training too hard and setting yourself up for injury, scale back on your training.
Build In Recovery Days
As mentioned above, working out in nature is great, but it’s important not to overdo it. It’s recommended that you take at least one day off per week to allow your body to rest, recover and repair itself.
Hire A Mobile Personal Trainer
If you’re looking to work out outside or even in your own home, hiring a mobile personal trainer can be a great way to get started and motivated about training.
A personal trainer can come to you, giving you personalised training at home, office or a nearby park and can be a great option for someone who has a busy schedule but still wants to exercise regularly. A mobile personal trainer can also give outdoor training a whole new level of convenience.
In general, hiring a mobile personal trainer gives you access to an expert that can help you get the most out of your workouts. You’ll have someone there with you during your training sessions and they can help guide you through exercises and make sure that you’re doing them correctly.
Contact us If you are living in Brisbane’s Southern suburbs and looking for a mobile personal trainer who can help you start your training routine and get you motivated to exercise consistently so you can enjoy improved health and work towards a better lifestyle.
