by Eliza Sterling

Allow your spirits to bloom this spring by swapping your typical indoor gym routines for exhilarating outdoors fitness activities. Long-established benefits of communing with nature—glowing health, enhanced sleep quality, improved mood, stronger immunity—can further blossom when you pair it with exercise. Thanks to its potential to forge not just physically more fit individuals, but also resilient, confident ones with impressive agility, the integration of fitness activities into nature—aptly termed as biophilia exercise—is gaining massive popularity. Read on to discover outdoor exercises that are slated to make waves in 2023.

Exercise in the Lap of Nature

The resurgence of outdoor activities, stoked by the COVID-19 pandemic, is accelerating as more fitness enthusiasts are realizing the benefits associated with this ‘nature pill.’ Recent trends show that people are increasingly ditching the gym and exercising outdoors. Searches for ‘outdoor fitness classes’ have seen a massive surge, prompting gyms to introduce open-air sessions. Outdoor activities like biking, hiking, and rowing are on the rise, and so are nature-immersive activities like rock climbing, diving, and wild swimming.

Our Top 12 Outdoor Fitness Activities

Feeling a little unsteady about tackling outdoor exercises? Our picks and practical advice will equip you with the confidence to take a to-nature approach towards your fitness goals.

1. Try park-held workout classes that’ll help you build a close-knit community while you get back in shape.
2. Racquet sports, like tennis, can help you maintain a youthful mind and body. Underrated racquet sport, pickleball is a favorite amongst celebrities.
3. Ever considered taking rowing from the exercise machine to the actual water? Women’s rowing saw a substantial surge in 2022.
4. Participating in fitness challenges can be a great motivation to test your limits and develop new muscle strength.
5. Open-water swimming is a refreshing alternative to swimming laps in a pool.
6. Outdoor climbing or bouldering can strengthen your body and spirit.
7. Freediving is not just an adrenaline-pumping sport, but also a form of underwater meditation.
8. Speed hiking, covering long distances in the shortest possible time, is a fast-growing sport.
9. Run outdoors and ditch the treadmill to increase burning calories.
10. Indulge your adventurous side with cycling exploits that take you through scenic routes.
11. Combine running and swimming for a fun workout whilst sightseeing through London.
12. Embrace nature to improve your mental health.

Dive into the enticing world of outdoor fitness activities and discover an exhilarating new way to keep yourself fit and active. Go forth and embrace the wilderness!

Fitness, outdoor workouts, nature-enhanced exercise, biophilia exercise, health, wellness trend, exercise alternatives, outdoor fitness activities, mental wellness, adventure sports, nature pill, outdoor adventure.