With all the many innovations and equipment that have inundated the fitness industry, it’s not surprising that many have lost touch with how to exercise outdoors. There is also the weather consideration which can change your plans in an instant and throw your fitness routine to the wind. Regardless of weather and skill level, today we are going to discuss how to get excited about outdoor fitness.

Find your niche

Outside exercise isn’t only running and walking, although they are key to many fitness routines. You can also find pleasure in bike riding, playing tennis, roller skates, group sport, rock climbing, swimming and literally hundreds of other options. Just because something is new and popular, does not mean it’s for you, so take your time in trying the things that you think you already like. This is a great starting off point as you will already be familiar and confident in that area and can extend your capability to incorporate better exercise.

Make it social

Most outdoor activities are more fun in a group, and the same goes for outdoor exercise. Combining exercise with a social catch up is going to make you more engaged with what you are doing, and in most cases, it affords you the chance to squeeze more socialising into the week. Group sport is a great way to get excited about outdoor exercise, with football, netball, tennis and soccer clubs found in most cities with mixed team opportunities.

Create a calendar of exercise

As the year unfolds, there will be some exercise that cannot take place due to the changing weather. Rather than being disheartened by this, choose to design an exercise calendar that you can implement so that you are outdoors and active all year round, but not at the mercy of hot, cold or wet weather. If you have plans to make this a combination of solo and group exercise, be sure to give your peers enough time to mobilise so that you get strong numbers showing interest and engaged all season long.

Take the scenic route

Outdoor fitness doesn’t have to happen only in the backyard - you can be exercising just about anywhere! If the beach is only an hour away, why not make the trek and have your morning walk along the water or due laps in the refreshing water. Once you figure out how to get your heart rate pumping, you can incorporate travel and sightseeing and kill two birds with one stone. If you think that your friends have already visited these destinations, suggest that they see it again on a bike or by kayak! There are certainly worse ways to see your city or country, and maybe even beyond.

Enjoy the health benefits

If health and wellness get your excited, then you will be happy to learn that outdoor fitness has a number of benefits for the body and mind. In addition to the Vitamin D injection that will boost your overall mood and immunity, there have been studies that have linked being outdoors to reduced anxiety and a number of other mental benefits. Modern times have truly increased our time spent indoors, and anything we can do to minimise this time and soak up the atmosphere outside if going to bring long-term benefits.

There is so much to be excited about when planning an outdoor fitness routine, and there are so many options and routine ideas that you will never get bored being outside. If you are still undecided about what you will do, speak to your friends and ask how they get their outdoor fitness hit and what they would recommend.