Outdoor exercise (or “green exercise”) can help improve your mood, save you time and money, and increase your energy. Green exercise is an amazing way to switch things up and get some sun, while bolstering your mental health as well as your physical.
Now that you’re itching to hit the pavement, here are a few tips to make sure you get the most out of your workout.
Tips for Outdoor Workouts:
1. Hydrate!
You’ve definitely heard this before: hydration is key! And especially when you’re headed out to sweat in the sun, make sure to bring more water than you think you need. While you’re working out, take sips often, and don’t wait until you’re thirsty.
2. Don’t Touch that Towel
Until your shower, that is. It seems counterintuitive, but the sweat your body produces while you’re at high temperatures actually helps you feel cooler. Letting it evaporate off naturally will make your cool down process that much smoother.
3. Wear Comfy, Breathable Clothes
If you’re trying out green exercise and feeling unbearably hot, your fabric choice might be the culprit. For example, cotton garments absorb the moisture on your skin, causing them to get uncomfortable and heavy. Go for a polysynthetic blend instead, which will help keep you cooler and more comfortable.
4. Protect your Body from the Sun
Speaking of high-tech fabrics…clothing, sunglasses, and sunscreen are all key players in keeping your skin safe from UV rays. Try wearing sportswear fabrics, which do more than normal shirts to keep UV rays off your body. Consider a baseball cap designed for staying on while running and jumping. When you’re picking out sunglasses, make sure they not only look cool but contain UVA and UVB protection and block light from the top and the sides. Lastly, apply a sports sunscreen 30 minutes before working out, and make sure to reapply often!
Green exercise is an amazing way to switch things up, bolstering your mental health as well as your physical. Plus, exercise studios across the country are offering outdoor classes. Check in on your favorite studio; there’s a good chance that you can find a time to fit in some burpees, down dogs, or punches outdoors!
Hit House is a kickboxing studio located in downtown Manhattan that hosts outdoor workouts in McCarren Park in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Check out upcoming events here!
However you like to sweat, there’s a fun outdoor workout waiting for you.
Maggie Norsworthy is a writer, editor, and writing coach based in Jersey City. Her favorite exercise is running and her favorite color is orange. Find out more at maggienorsworthy.com.
Excerpts of this article were taken from author Maggie's previous article for Health Kick's blog.
Top photo courtesy of @pangeaultimatenyc and bottom photo sourced from Pexels's PNW Productions.