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Pros and Cons of Indoor and Outdoor Exercise

Summer Exercise: Indoor vs. Outdoor

by 4

Over the weekend, I asked Facebook readers if they exercised inside or outside, and the answers were all mixed. There are good reasons for exercising in both, so if you're having a hard time deciding where to get your sweat on, check out the chart below.


Pros to Indoor Exercise Pros to Outdoor Exercise
  • The temp is always consistent so you never have to waste time finding the right outfit to wear.
  • Air conditioning reduces your risk of overheating.
  • There are no bugs.
  • There's no risk of sunburn.
  • There's less risk of getting lost — no GPS required.
  • There's also less risk of being approached by sketchy characters and growling dogs.
  • You can watch TV while you use the machines at the gym.
  • It's easy to track your workout with the treadmill, elliptical, or stationary bike's readout.
  • If you get injured, help is close by.
  • You can exercise regardless of the weather.
  • It's a great option if you have allergies.
  • Fresh, clean air means less exposure to germs.
  • You can bring your dog along.
  • You can work out in a new place every time, which prevents boredom.
  • You can use a GPS to chart your workout.
  • You can exercise on all types of terrain, which helps strengthen your body more effectively and prevent injury.
  • There's more variety in the types of workouts you can do: rock climbing, surfing, kayaking, trail running, horseback riding, etc.
  • Many types of outdoor exercise are free such as running, hiking, and swimming.
  • You don't have to wait your turn to use the great outdoors like you often do with the machines at a gym.
  • Research shows that the visual stimulation that outdoor exercise offers makes you work out harder.
  • Studies also show that outdoor exercise boosts your mood and self-esteem.
  • You get a free dose of vitamin D.

In the Summer, do you exercise more often inside or outside?

Source: Thinkstock
FitnessList2011 SummerSummer ExerciseIndoor Vs Outdoor Exercise

4 Comments

Slinxie Slinxie
I worked at our campus's ginormous gym for 3 yrs in college and so now I despise being in a gym. I don't love running but its the only workout I've ever felt. Since it's July and gotten humid, I now wake up at 6am to go run. This is my third day of 6am running. :/
KeLynns KeLynns
Outside. I hate a gym membership for a few years and I HATED it. I only used it for yoga classes. I just can't get motivated when I'm not actually *going* anywhere. But, admittedly, I'm thinking of getting a Fitness 19 membership for the few days a month when it's too hot/cold/rainy/late to go to the park.
KeLynns KeLynns
Outside. I hate a gym membership for a few years and I HATED it. I only used it for yoga classes. I just can't get motivated when I'm not actually *going* anywhere.But, admittedly, I'm thinking of getting a Fitness 19 membership for the few days a month when it's too hot/cold/rainy/late to go to the park.
kclulu kclulu
The climate I live in is hot in the summer but mild in the winter. During spring, fall and winter I try to get my cardio done outside, rain or shine. In the summer it is more dependent on the weather. I like to run on my lunch break but if the forecast for anything 100 degrees or above I change my run to a walk. In general though, I like to do cardio outside and I follow that up with weight lifting inside.
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