Why an outdoor workout could supercharge your training this spring

Spring is so close we can almost touch it. The mornings are lighter, the evenings are brighter, and this means you might think about an outdoor workout.

Of course, you can train outside all year round. But there’s definitely something fairly hardcore – and sometimes even dangerous – about venturing out in the dark, or sub zero temperatures. No one loves shivering through sets,  so we definitely don’t blame you for sticking to the cosy interiors of Ellie’s Gym during the winter months.

But now the seasons are beginning to turn, we’re psyched to throw open the studio’s huge bifold doors and embrace the alfresco session.

So, what’s so great about an outdoor workout anyway?

There are numerous physical and mental benefits associated with exercising outside. You don’t have to take our word for it – there are plenty of studies that back up the idea that when it comes to outdoor workouts, you get more bang for your buck.

Research has shown that, compared to exercising inside, heading out can result in a lower rate of exertion. That means you’ll feel as though you’re working less hard, while doing the exact same thing. As a result you might feel able to push harder, and achieve more than you might have done in an indoor environment. Pretty cool, huh?

Getting out in the fresh air also gives us a boost of that magical substance we’ve likely been missing over the past few dreary months: vitamin D.

As well as being hugely important for overall health, getting enough vitamin D – which, FYI, most people in the UK don’t between October and March – is crucial for optimal muscle function. Achieving ideal vitamin D levels can reduce inflammation, while increasing power, strength and overall exercise capacity. So, what are you waiting for? Head out and soak it in.

An outdoor workout has mental health benefits too. Exercise in any form has been shown to have a positive effect on mood and self-esteem – ever wondered why you feel happier after a session at Ellie’s Gym than you did before? But studies have found that exercising in an outdoor environment had a significantly greater positive effect on self-esteem.

Outdoor workout ideas at Ellie’s Gym

Don’t worry, we’re not about to suggest swapping your strength session for cross-country running (unless you want to). In fact, at Ellie’s Gym, you don’t even have to leave the premises to reap the rewards of outdoor exercise.

That’s because Ellie’s Gym is a hybrid studio, with its own outdoor space, and huge bifold doors that open up both sides of the building. This means that if the weather is changeable, you can remain safely under cover while soaking up the vast amounts of fresh air and, hopefully, sunshine flooding in.

Ellie’s Gym is nestled in glorious Kent countryside, and you can enjoy the gardens and open fields that surround it – complete with grazing sheep – without leaving the gym floor. If you like, you can also take your usual workout outside, with plenty of space to use your favourite equipment out of doors.

But, why not use the change in environment to change up your training as well? Ever flipped a tractor tyre? Head outside and give it a try! It’s pretty addictive and turning something bigger than your own body will give you an incredible sense of achievement.

Or, give it everything you’d got on the battle ropes – we reckon they’re unbeatable when it comes to relieving stress, and they’re great for getting competitive with a friend or partner in a paired workout, too.

Another option is to take your power and strength to new levels out on the astro track with the sled push – a hardcore move that works muscles you ever knew you had.

Best of all, you can head up to the luxury spa area after your alfresco session. Warm up in the sauna, or jump in the ice bath – you’ll head home feeling on top of the world.

However you choose to embrace the outdoors during your spring sessions at Ellie’s Gym, get ready for more fun and faster progress. See you on the sled track!