Running on a treadmill or using an indoor bike are both great ways to get exercise, but they do have the potential to be monotonous. You’re staring at the same wall or looking at your phone while not going anywhere. If you want to get moving but can’t bring yourself to hop on the treadmill, you’re probably not the only one.
Fortunately, there are many ways to exercise outside. Outdoor exercise and outdoor exercise equipment have several benefits for individuals and the community at large. Let’s look at some and how you can utilize different types of outdoor gym equipment to exercise outside.
One of the most attractive aspects of outdoor gyms is that people can work on their fitness in the fresh air while getting vitamin D — essential for brain and bone function — from sunlight. This helps in increasing the health benefits of a workout. But what else is there?
Simply being outdoors helps to alleviate many of the worries that bog down your mind. Spending time around nature reduces anxiety so that you can focus more clearly. This is why many people find that they quickly solve problems during a walk, jog around the park, or some other outdoor activity.
Gyms can get crowded fast, making getting a workout stressful when it shouldn’t. Moving an activity outdoors gives you and everyone else plenty of green space to do whatever they want, whether it’s jogging or using any equipment that may be available nearby.
Your brain is constantly taking in new information from your environment. Taking your workout outdoors sends tactile sensations to your brain that help it retain more of the different types of information. As your brain senses the wind, temperature, and other sensations, it stays more engaged.
Another significant aspect of exercising outdoors or adding gym equipment to a park or playground is attracting people of all ages. While younger people frequent traditional gyms more, outdoor gyms are also quite popular among seniors. Kids and parents can also get outside together and get a healthy workout. Apart from exercise, they also allow people of different backgrounds to socialize.
A home or public gym offers the same type of equipment every time you go to work out. While a treadmill or a weights machine is effective, exercising outdoors lets you challenge forgotten muscle groups. Outdoor exercise equipment such as cardio walkers and upright bicycles allow you to enjoy your favorite workouts in new positions targeting different body parts. If you really want to break away from the same old workouts, search for equipment that encourages you to climb, jump, and swing your way through courses designed to provide a high level of physical activity.
In short, there are many great reasons to take your workout routine outdoors. Keep reading if you’re wondering what type of outdoor gym equipment to add to your park or playground to help your community exercise outside.
There are several types of outdoor gym equipment, ranging from equipment made for cardio, strength training, balance, coordination, and flexibility training. Offering a mix is the best way to keep outdoor exercise exciting and fun. Take a look at some examples of outdoor exercise equipment from GameTime that you can easily add to a park or playground:
Now that you know the benefits of exercising outdoors and examples of outdoor exercise equipment, you may need some outdoor training ideas that fit your needs. As you prepare to take your workout sessions outside, consider these exercise examples — you could even post them on a plaque in your park or playground!
If you’re beginning to add outdoor equipment to your park or playground, you can still offer a challenging way for you and your community to get a playground workout with a routine using a park bench. Make sure your bench is stable, and repeat the workout as many times as you want. If you’re at all concerned about the quality of your bench, take a look at some of the commercial park benches we offer her.
From boosting vitamin D to engaging your community, there are many advantages of exercising outdoors. There’s also a variety of outdoor equipment and workout routines that you and everyone else in your park or playground can enjoy. We understand if you need additional assistance picking out the right outdoor equipment to work the right muscles while keeping people safe from injuries. Contact us today to chat about the best outdoor fitness equipment so your community can participate in outdoor exercise activities!