But many people are still unconvinced, they think that hitting the gym is the only viable way to exercise. So let us try to convince you with these six reasons.
1. Outdoor exercise lifts your mood.
A 2012 report found that spending time in the out of doors made people 50 percent happier than spending time at the gym, according to the Telegraph.
Previous research has linked outdoor exercise with a reduction in tension, confusion, anger and depression, when compared to indoor activity. And it doesn’t have to be a long stroll in the park, either: A 2010 study found that even just five minutes of exercise in a green space can improve mood and self-esteem, the BBC reported.
2. It will help you stick with it
While every little bit of exercise counts, let’s be honest: Most of us could probably afford to do a little bit more. The Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans recommend the average adult get two hours and 30 minutes of moderate-intensity cardio every week, plus two or more sessions of strength training.
Between seemingly endless work hours and the demands of family life, it’s all too easy to skip a workout. However, a 2011 survey found that exercising outdoors is a reinforcing behavior: Outdoor exercisers “declared a greater intent to repeat the activity at a later date” than gym-goers.
3. It improves your attention and focus
A small study from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign found that kids with ADHD were able to concentrate better after a 20-minute walk in a park rather than a walk through city or neighborhood streets.
“What this particular study tells us is that the physical environment matters,” Frances E. Kuo, director of the university’s Landscape and Human Health Laboratory and one of the study’s co-authors told The New York Times. “We don’t know what it is about the park, exactly — the greenness or lack of buildings — that seems to improve attention.”
4. It will boost your energy
Exercise itself is sure to energize you when you’re feeling lazy, but fresh air can boost the effect. A 2009 study from the University of Rochester found that just 20 minutes outside can boost you up as much as a cup of coffee, The Telegraph reported.
“Often when we feel depleted we reach for a cup of coffee, but this suggests a better way to get energized is to connect with nature,” lead author Richard M. Ryan, Ph.D., a professor of psychology at the university told the publication.
5. It helps you control your weight
The fresh air, the sunlight, the scenery, the open space — there’s a lot about being outside that can inspire more activity, especially compared to the beckoning couches and screens of indoor spaces. All that extra movement adds up to tangible results: A 2008 study found that rates of overweight among children who spent more time outside were 27 to 41 percent lower than in kids who spent more time indoors.
6. You can tone you're whole body for free
You may not notice it on first glance, but parks are FULL of things (free things!) that will help you tone muscle. Simon says: "Hill sprints are a great way of getting maximum results, particularly as sprinting is one of the most effective ways to burn fat. Short, sharp bursts of movement at an incline will help push you to the limit while also building and toning muscle. Plus, local parks and green spaces are home to a wide range of objects that can double up as exercise equipment. Take a park bench – you can do tricep dips or step-ups. Even a tree can enhance your workout: try some explosive jumps where you aim to hit as many branches as high as you can. Or do a 3:1 ratio jog where you jog to three trees and then sprint to the forth – get creative!"
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