I sometimes wonder whether I prefer indoor or outdoor workouts. Where I live, weather isn’t usually a major factor. I guess it depends on what my schedule is like, how motivated I am, and if I am working out with someone.
Outdoor Workouts
I enjoy outdoor workouts because I love fresh air. Hiking and biking are great ways to get moving and see the world around. Hiking especially is a passion of mine because I love nature, especially tress and animals. Biking I also enjoy because you can go far in a short time.
Walking can be a convenient workout that you can do in your neighborhood, at a track, with a workout buddy, etc. When I walk alone, I like to pick somewhere that is out in the open, especially because I like to wear an iPod with low volume. Safety is a factor to me when I am doing an outdoor workout.
Outdoor workouts are great because I typically do them with a friend. It gives me a chance to socialize and get in some cardio at the same time. However, outdoor workouts usually take more time to plan and coordinate to do with a friend, often needing to drive somewhere to do them. I think if time and planning wasn’t a factor, than I would do outdoor workouts with my workout buddies more consistently.
Indoor Workouts
Indoor workouts can sometimes be more convenient than outdoor workouts. If you live somewhere that has very high or low temperatures, indoor workouts are probably best for you during weather that is undesirable to exercise in.
Indoor workouts are great because there is diversity. There are your standard gyms or studios such as kickboxing, yoga and pilates. Also there are local community centers that can be close to home, providing an inexpensive and convenient way to workout.
My favorite place to exercise when indoors is at home. A plus is that I have setup an at-home gym where I can play my favorite DVDs and blast my music while I exercise. I also like how I can wear some old, grubby workout clothes and know that nobody is going to see me.
Although I prefer the scenery and the nature I often see during an outdoor workout, indoor workouts are more convenient for me. I like going to a workout class, out of the heat or cold. Or I enjoy doing my elliptical or workout DVDs at home.
Where do you prefer to do your workouts, indoors or outdoors? What is your favorite way to get exercise?
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