How to Plan the Perfect Nature Workout

Physical activity can do wonders for your physical and mental health, and taking it outdoors further adds to the benefits. Exercise releases endorphins in the brain, which make you feel good and boost your mood, improving happiness.

It’s linked to lower levels of stress, depression, and anxiety. Exercising outside takes these advantages a step further. You can dispel negative thoughts and ruminating behaviors by simply walking in nature for a few minutes.

Planning the Perfect Nature Workout

If you want to enjoy the perks of getting active outdoors, here’s how to plan the perfect nature workout.

Choose your activity

There are endless possibilities when it comes to working out in nature. You can bike, hike, run, do yoga, and more. You can use the natural landscapes to your advantage, allowing the terrain, elements, and geography to push you further. Hills or sandy beaches can provide a challenging running route, forested areas with trails can be great for a bike or hike, and the sea offers swimming and surfing fun.

Even if you don’t have access to these areas, you don’t need to move far to exercise in nature. Simply taking a walk around your neighborhood can help you get moving as you take in your surroundings.

You can also take some of the workouts you do at home and take them outside, such as an outdoor full-body HIIT (high-intensity interval training) workout that you can easily do in your backyard or a nearby park. You don’t need any equipment for it, so it’s a viable choice for a quick and easy workout outside.

Dress appropriately

Wearing the appropriate apparel can help you stay comfortable and protected when you exercise outdoors. Cooler conditions will require you to cover up more, but that doesn’t mean you have to compromise on your comfort. 

Hoodies are great for keeping you warm when working out in cold weather. Oakley’s Wanderlust FZ Hoodie is specifically designed for elevating training and conquering the elements; the stretch fabrication allows for an extended range of motion, making it easy to exercise in.

Warm weather workouts will have you sweating, so breathable fabrics and loose-fitting clothing can help you stay cool. You can also wear a dri-fit top like LifeLab’s CoolLife Everyday Tee, which provides sustained cooling throughout the day to help you beat the heat. Wearing sunglasses and a hat can protect you from the sun’s UV rays, whether sunny or snowy.

For high-quality eyewear, check out Neven Eyewear, offering stylish and functional sunglasses to keep your eyes protected during outdoor workouts.

Stay safe

Taking important safety measures when exercising in nature is crucial, as the outside world is vastly more unpredictable than your home or indoor environments. One way you can keep safe is by packing essentials; things like plenty of water, snacks, sunscreen, insect repellent, and a hat can keep you sustained and protected no matter the location or conditions.

Packing or wearing helmets or kneepads for more intense activities like biking or skateboarding can protect you from injury.

If you’re planning to workout on your own, it’s good to let someone know where you are and what you’ll be doing. Send a message to a family member or friend and let them know how long you’ll be gone and what route you’re taking so they can check in on you every now and then.

Using GPS location-sharing apps like Life 360 can notify others of where you are, and they can quickly reach out if anything seems amiss. Sticking to familiar roads or designated trails can keep you from getting lost.
You can reap the benefits of physical activity and spending time in nature when you combine the two.

Get moving outdoors

Planning the perfect nature workout using these steps can help you enjoy your time and stay protected no matter where or what you’re doing. If you need more motivation to get outdoors and start moving, you can check out the 30-day Get Outdoors Challenge and see how exercising in nature can boost your well-being.

FAQs | Frequently Asked Questions