When most people think of working out, they think of row upon row of exercise machines and unwiped gym equipment. Not ideal. The alternative is, of course, forgoing the boutique fitness centre and getting your fix in the great outdoors. But if you’ve never done it before, it can be slightly daunting. If you’ve been asking yourself, ‘Should I work out outside or stick to the gym?’, there are pros and cons to both – so here’s all you need to know to make your choice!

Exercising in a Gym

The most obvious advantage of working out in a gym is ease and convenience. There is often one or more available within a short walk, cycle or drive of your home. And once you get there, all the machines and systems for a variety of exercises are stacked one next to the other, ready for you to whip through your workout. You have the ability to work on different muscle groups or routines in quick succession without having to think too much about it – just choose your machine and off you go!

However, the positives of an indoor workout are also a cause for some of the negatives. For example: lots of machines packed together in an enclosed environment can mean illness running rife and bacteria and germs galore… Especially if your fellow gym-goers aren’t so great at cleaning machines after they’ve used them. And this is assuming you actually get on the machines, rather than just waiting in queues behind other would-be exercisers. Additionally, going from home to work to an indoor gym can mean spending your entire day (and subsequently week) indoors under strip lighting – which isn’t the best thing for your mental or physical health.

So, to sum up the pros and cons of working out in a gym…

The Good:

● A variety of machines in close proximity means fast and varied workouts.

● No need to plan a workout routine, since you can just “follow” the equipment.

The Bad:

● Closed, shared environments can cause the spread of illness.

● Busy gyms mean more waiting time and less exercise.

● Continually being in artificially lit indoor environments can be damaging to health.

Gyms will sometimes be crowded, which can negatively affect you and your workout.

Exercising Outside

Exercising outside is what people have been doing since the dawn of time (even the original gyms of Ancient Greece were open-air) and it offers a whole host of benefits. First, just being outside improves health, with green spaces being linked to lower rates of cardiovascular disease, musculoskeletal disorders, mental illness, respiratory disease, neurological disease and digestive disease. This in turn can boost mood and motivation, which is great when it comes to fitness as it gives you the mental push you need to keep going. For many people, being outside is just plain fun, which can also help keep you motivated to stick to your workout routine.

Additionally, exercising outside is just as convenient, if not more convenient than working out in a gym, since most neighbourhoods are within walking distance of at least one park or green space. And once you’re there, you don’t have to wait for other people to finish their routine – you just start. If you really like gym equipment, some parks even have open-air machines that are free to the public. Which takes us onto the next big bonus: the base rate is free! Nobody will charge you to go outside.

But is exercising outside better than a gym? Well, it’s all down to what you feel comfortable with. If you’ve never tried exercising outside before, it can be a little daunting – just a big, scary blank space where all that gym equipment used to be. That means having to create structured routines for yourself. Additionally, it can be easy to be thrown off by all the people now wandering past you; working out alone in a park can make you feel on display. Luckily, there are some ways to get past these problems that we’ll look at now.

The Good

● Being outside in green spaces is good for mental and physical health.

● It tends to be more fun, so you are more likely to stick to a routine.

● Some parks have free gym equipment.

● The base rate is free – nobody is going to charge you for starting to exercise outside.

● Lots of space, so no waiting for other people to finish.

● Very convenient, since most neighbourhoods have a park within walking distance.

The Bad

● Starting to exercise outside can be daunting due to the lack of structured routines.

● Exercising alone in a park can make you feel a little self-conscious.

Big spaces and no machines can be daunting, but a personal trainer can help you on your way to fantastic outdoor exercise routines.

How to Make the Switch to Exercising Outside

From looking at the pros and cons, exercising outside can seem pretty sweet – we just need to get past those pesky problems. The first way to do this is to get a personal trainer, since a professional is able to structure a routine for you and show you how to properly work out in the great outdoors. Secondly, a trainer can help lessen the ‘observer fear’, since you’ll be running your routine with someone else there.

Group classes can be another great option for people switching to outdoor exercise. They remove some of the fear of park-based routines as well as providing you with a professional to guide and form your workout.

Where Can I Exercise Outdoors in Melbourne?

You’ve probably got so used to walking (or worse, driving) the same route to your gym that you’re not sure where to even start your outdoor workout. Well, public parks are the best place possible – and there are plenty of beautiful spots for a park workout in Melbourne.

Some great parks for your exercise routine include Aberfeldie Park, which has numerous exercise facilities for those who want a more focussed workout, including a public athletics track, or Flagstaff Gardens, Melbourne’s first public park and still a great place to get out into greenery. Or why not try the spacious Oldis Gardens, which is in a prime location and has plenty of playground equipment to get a little creative with your workout routine.

There are so many great parks for working out outside in Melbourne, so check for the ones near you, go explore them and see which is right for your outdoor exercise. Or maybe find an outdoor group class that suits you and make that your go-to outside spot. It’s important to weigh up the pros and cons of how and where you exercise to make the most of your fitness routine, and then decide whether getting out into nature may do you some good.

Exercising Outside vs. Working Out In A Gym: All You Need To Know