With it being summertime, many people are moving their workouts outside. There can be many benefits to this especially if you’re a runner. So let’s talk about the possible benefits of outdoor running!
More demand on your muscles and senses
You have to be aware of your surrounds when running outside. There are hills and trees around you, so naturally you’re going to work harder to get around these obstacles. Your quads and hamstrings will be constantly thrown off by the change between running flat, uphill and downhill. Those muscles will get stronger with your outdoor workouts.
Numbers don’t matter
When running on a treadmill, it’s easy to become obsessed with the numbers. When you take your workout outside you can’t stare at the timer, calories and distance – but you can use nature as your marker. If you are running at the park you can challenge yourself each run by reaching a tree that’s further away, doing another lap, or taking the stairs for part of your run. There are no numbers, but there are different and exciting ways to track your progress.
You have nature’s obstacle course
As I said before, there are all sorts of obstacles you will need to dodge outside. And there are also obstacles you can use to enhance your workout. Use the benches and picnic tables for step-ups, box jumps, and push-ups. Use the stairs and the hills for lunges and body weight exercises.
Extra Vitamin D
The extra Vitamin D will lift your mood and give you energy, but don’t forget to wear sunscreen.