Exercise in the park or gym? Which is better?

One of the best decisions you can make for yourself is choosing to exercise and get some physical activity everyday. Whether you have a desk job or take care of household chores, proper exercise is important to build strength, flexibility, stamina and mental well-being.

Now, we all know that physical activity has multiple health benefits, but little is known about the impacts of the setting where you exercise. The two main options that people broadly choose are either going to a gym for a few months or going to a nearby park, usually in the morning and/or evening. Which option is best to reap the maximum benefits of exercise? Let’s find out!

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Choosing to go to a gym is a great option. You can get a trainer who can focus on what all workouts would suit you the best. You can also explore and learn a wide variety of exercises such as cardio, weight training, Pilates, yoga and so on. Several gyms also plan interesting classes like zumba or dance sessions. Getting guidance from experienced trainers can help you reach your goals without second doubts.

With growing popularity for gyms, getting membership of a good gym could burn a hole in your pocket, especially if you are a student running on pocket money. Another problem could be that you may have to workout in a crowded, sweaty environment which could hamper your motivation. Also, if you end up going to a gym which is not that good, you might get injured if the trainers are not attentive or develop health problems if the place is not hygienic. Since gyms are open on certain days and times of the week, you will have to stick to a routine or you might skip your daily workout.

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When you play or exercise outside, especially in parks, you are getting physical activity closer to nature. This will help you get more fresh air and oxygen which will help you feel more refreshed during and after your workout. Spending quality time outdoors is also essential to get vitamin D for your body. Our body does not produce vitamin D on its own, and the deficiency can lead to serious health problems. Going to a park is also free of cost, and if your park has a built-in-gym, then you can also access these free equipment to focus on specific body parts.

Exercising outdoors requires a certain discipline and self-motivation since you have not prepaid three months of fees in advance, like one would do at a gym. Many people go to park for a day or two, and then slump back into their inactive routine like sleeping till late in the morning. Another disadvantage is that since you will be working out without any expert trainer’s supervision, you could be following wrong postures that may hurt you or might not prove beneficial. Lastly, a park workout routine may fail if it’s too cold or too hot or raining outside.

According to research published in the journal BMC Public Health, a walk outdoors is better for your body and mind than pounding the treadmill. Researchers have also found that exercising outdoors is also better at cutting anger, fatigue and sadness, compared to exercising indoors. Those who chose an open-air workout also felt more energetic, and often found it easier to concentrate.

Another study published in Frontiers in Psychology had similar results. This study found that the park setting was more effective in relieving stress in obese people than the indoor gym. However, if you are a gym freak and enjoy lifting weights, doing zumba and clicking gym selfies, you keep at it because it is better to do any form of exercise than doing nothing at all.