In today’s generation, people tend to spend more time indoors watching their favourite TV show, spending more money on junk foods, spending more time sitting in front of their computers and less time outside. As claimed by Plato, “Lack of activity destroys the good condition of every human being, while movement and methodical physical exercise save it and preserve it.”
Researchers and fitness experts suggest that exercising outdoors is a great way to workout to benefit your physical and mental health. The University of Essex has been studying the amazing health benefits of Green Exercise since 2011.
For the past eight years, they’ve discovered that exercising outdoor offers countless physical and mental health benefits. Also, various researches have shown that this outdoor activity helps reduce the risk of the following:
- Heart disease
- Obesity
- Hypertension
- Cancer
Not only that, engaging more in outdoor activities encourages the growth of an individual’s healthy bone and muscle. This helps in maintaining mobility into older age.
The University of Essex has published its research on their GreenExercise.org website.
Green Gyms: Outdoor Exercise Beyond Mental Health
Another research conducted by the University of Bangor has proven that outdoor exercise offers health benefits that extend beyond mental health. Is it possible that those individuals who exercise more in the park have more energy than those who exercise at the gym?
Yes, it is! It is no surprise why variety is one of the most commonly quoted benefits of green exercise. According to another research, the people who live close to green areas mostly healthier than those who live in city environments.
Here are the main conditions you can improve when you live closer to nature:
- Coronary heart disease
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Diabetes
- Neck, shoulder, back, wrist and hand complaints
- Asthma
- Respiratory infections
- Migraine and Vertigo
- Urinary tract infections
- Stomach bugs
If you’re looking for outdoor exercises that you want to try out, feel free to read some of our outdoor exercises and green gyms ideas down below.
Walking and Hiking
Ah, this one is perfect for all ages. Walking is very beneficial for individuals who wish to either lose fats or get physically fit.
This kind of exercise will not guarantee you to strengthens your core and legs, but it also assures you to improve your fitness regime.
Cycling and Jogging
Cycling and jogging in the countryside are great ways for you to connect with nature. Why don’t you try doing this on a regular basis, we assure you that you’ll be much aware of the seasons.
It’s time to spend some quality time outdoors and appreciate nature in the countryside.
20-minute Outdoor Workout
- Short Shuttle Sprints
- Hill Sprints
- Push Ups
- Walking Lunges
- Squats
- Mountain Climbers
Green Gyms for Workout
Are you looking for a new and innovative way to get physically active and at the same time make a difference to your local environment? Then join the TCV Green Gym in London to not only explore some landmark locations and discover hidden green spaces, but also to improve your health and stamina.
It is time to give your mind and body an in-depth workout in the great outdoors of the UK. You don’t have to worry about the registration fee—it’s for free!
According to TCV website, there are 11 Green Gyms at the moment running each week in the following cities below:
For each session, you will begin by warming up your body to prepare yourself for the work ahead. Then you will end it with cool-down exercises so you can relax your body after the exertion.
What’s good about Green Gyms? They offer a wide variety of tasks with different levels of physical challenge!
Community Green Gyms
Encouraging and training the volunteers to take over managing the Green Gym groups is one of the main goals of The Conservation Volunteers scheme. With this, there are now Green Gyms volunteers running in Bromley, Camden, Haringey, Newham and Watford.
What they do is they are helping to maintain the nature reserves and community allotments. Of course, none of this will be possible without the organisation’s overall support.
You can contact [email protected] to find out how The Conservation Volunteers could help you start a Green Gym in your community.
Schools Green Gyms
The Conservation Volunteers are also offering green Gyms for schools. They provide an entertaining and active alternative for youngsters who are into nature, environment and outdoor activities.
They aim not only to help the pupils to learn more about their surroundings a.k.a the environment, but also teach them how to take care and grow plants and vegetables and enhance their physical activity.
For more information about Green Gyms, you can check out their The Conservation Volunteers Green Gym pages.