As we move into cooler weather in September, we have no excuse not to get outside for some fresh air and exercise, even if just for a nice walk. The sunshine does us a world of good, and for those in the northeast, the sun is high enough in the sky for us to get our Vitamin D. Ten minutes, no sunscreen except on the face, as much skin exposed as possible.
There are many other benefits to outdoor exercise. Here are just a few:
People who run outdoors use more energy over the same distance as those who run on a treadmill. Click here to read the study. There is generally no wind resistance at the gym!
- Outdoor cyclists use more muscle groups than one uses on a stationary bike.
- A study of older adults showed that those who exercised outdoors got significantly more exercise than those who exercised indoors.
Walk your dog, find a friend with whom to bike/hike/jog/walk/whatever, and get that body moving!
Please check with your physician before beginning a new exercise regimen.