The outdoors possesses a certain charm that can’t be captured by the ting of metallic weights inside a gym. While the gym offers a straightforward way to fitness, it has its limitations. Its machines isolate specific muscles, with limited resistance settings, and exercises performed are often far removed from practical movements we use in everyday life. This is where the concept of nature’s gym comes in—leveraging the outdoors and natural landscapes to build physical fitness.
Using the great outdoors as a fitness ground begs the question—Why should natural landscapes be considered as alternatives for physical fitness? Simply put, the outdoors offers a unique fusion of fresh and clean air, sunlight for Vitamin D, and constant visual stimulation, not to mention the varied natural terrains and obstacles which engage a broader range of muscles than any machine can.
Contrary to what many presume, nature isn’t just home to lush greenery; it’s a versatile gym any fitness enthusiast can take advantage of. The rocks, trees, inclines, and diverse terrains present a unique gym set up with challenges and obstacles that test and enhance your strength, flexibility, balance, coordination, and agility. It’s fitness grounded in nature and purposeful activities.
At this point, you might wonder, How can one integrate these natural elements into a workout routine? Taking advantage of the outdoors involves understanding how each element can be used to serve your fitness needs. Rocky terrains can serve as natural weights while trees, with their various shapes and sizes, offer ample opportunities for body-weight workouts. This is based on a climbing training plan researched at uphillathlete.com which demonstrates that varied inclines and declines help to build lower body strength and cardiovascular endurance, while the uneven terrain nurtures stability and balance.
Delving into specifics, what kind of exercises can you do using these natural elements? Rocks can serve as free weights for exercises like squats or bicep curls. Trees offer resistance or support for exercises such as pull-ups, inclined push-ups, or tricep dips. Inclines can be used for inclined push-ups, running, or lunges, and declines for reverse lunges. Climbing up rocks or trees, meanwhile, provides a full-body workout, much more demanding than any machine-based exercises.
When you train in nature’s gym, you’re not confined to rules of movement unlike in gyms. Rather, you adapt to uneven surfaces, unstable platforms, and unpredictable situations, enhancing agility and coordination. Here’s a list of some exercises:
- Perception walking: Heightens awareness of your environment and enhances balance.
- Tri-pod Transitions: Boosts functional strength and body awareness.
- Depth jumps: Develops power and enhances landing mechanics.
- Landing: Increases leg strength and nurtures proprioception (awareness of body movements and positions).
- Balance counters: Provides a fun challenge to stability and balance.
Embracing outdoor fitness routine does not only cultivate physical strength, but mental resilience and awareness as well. It forges a connection to the environment, a respect for nature and an understanding of how your body moves within it, a concept echoed by Ryan McGowan, a big enthusiast of natural obstacle course races.
In conclusion, nature isn’t just a space filled with adventures and breathtaking views; it’s also a gym offering a myriad of workout options. It brings together the essentials of a good workout—strength, agility, endurance, and cardiovascular development, cultivating a holistic approach to fitness. So, the next time you plan on hitting the gym, consider stepping out instead and immersing in the awe-inspiring and enriching gym that nature has to offer.
