Summer might be over, but don’t head inside quite yet. Our focus this month is outdoor fitness.

One of the many ways COVID has impacted our lives — and the fitness industry at large — is the augmented affinity for working out outside. The acute awareness of how much time we spend indoors has left many of us craving a bit more vitamin D and fresh air… and once you feel that “high” of endorphins and soaking up a natural environment, it can be hard to go back inside.

Look at some of the sunnier metropolitan areas for an example of this. There’s a reason why boutique fitness took a bit longer to take off in cities like San Diego… Why cycle indoors when you can cycle along the Pacific Coast Highway? For decades, stand-up paddle boarding, long walks and brisk jogs, rollerblading and skating, cycling, and boot camps in the park have been how many of these individuals break a sweat on a regular basis.

Even cities that aren’t as blessed with a temperate, sunshiny climate can take advantage of the great outdoors, and adapt based on their own unique weather conditions and geography. And you don’t have to be a nature lover to benefit from fresh air and being outside.

Let’s look at some of the collective benefits of working out outside:

• The obvious, vitamin D: Outdoor exercise increases exposure to sunlight, boosting vitamin D production in the body, thus supporting bone health, immune function, and overall mood stabilization.
• It’s mood-boosting: Exercising outdoors in natural environments has been linked to improved cognitive performance, including better attention and memory. Being in nature engages the senses more fully, helping reduce mental fatigue. Studies have also found that outdoor exercise can significantly reduce anxiety and depression symptoms, compared to indoor exercise. The combination of physical activity and exposure to nature is thought to enhance mood and boost self-esteem more effectively than exercising indoors.
• It’s fun and motivating (scientifically!): Outdoor environments are often associated with higher levels of enjoyment and motivation to exercise. A study found that participants reported more positive emotions and were more likely to feel energized and revitalized after breaking a sweat outside as opposed to inside the gym.
• It “feels easier”: Apparently, some natural surroundings and fresh air can reduce the perception of effort, making exercise feel easier and more enjoyable. This can help individuals work out longer without feeling as fatigued.

Fun, easy breezy, and motivating… There's a lot to love about working out outside. Currently, popular exercise categories that are taking off include hiking, cycling, jogging, and bootcamp style group fitness classes.

Gymdesk suggests that “in addition to offering morning, midday, and evening Bootcamp classes, gyms should consider adding an outdoor extension, allowing members to train under the sun.” Additionally, they add that “setting up a free-weight circuit with rebounders and cycles” provides a compact area that can withstand a heavy traffic flow; it’s also easy to bring back in at night when you’re closing up for the day.



For the colder months, if you’re still headed outside, consider shorter classes (think: “mini workouts” under 30 minutes), or low-intensity offerings like a “bundled up” nature walk (or simply a long walk), emphasizing the aspects of mindfulness and reducing cortisol.


Some clients might enjoy a rain-or-shine attitude for a rainy group run, but for those who don’t, a covered pavilion or pop-up tent (if you have one available) could allow for fresh air despite inclement weather.