Exercising outdoors is something I do not do enough of — and last Sunday was a good reminder of why that needs to change. A group of us decided to get up early and head out to Rockaway Beach here in New York for 7am. The plan was to get there before the rain arrived later in the morning. As it turned out the rain never came, and going early ended up being a great call. The area was still quiet, parking took seconds, there was no queue for coffee, and when it came time to rent boards we had our pick of the bunch.
Then we got out into the water. And there is something about the sea air that exhausts you in the best possible way. The funny thing is you do not really notice it while you are out there. You are paddling, swimming, getting knocked over by waves, getting back up, laughing, moving. You are exercising but it does not feel like exercise. No sets, no reps, no timer on the wall. Just moving your body and enjoying yourself. I think there is something really powerful about that.
Why Exercising Outdoors Hits Different
When we exercise inside, we have the luxury of controlling almost everything around us. The temperature, the floor, the environment — all predictable. And there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. The gym is a brilliant place to get stronger, fitter, and healthier.
But exercising outdoors challenges us in a completely different way. The wind blows. The sun beats down. The ground changes underneath you. The waves push you around. You have to adjust and react in real time. And there is something incredibly natural about all of it.
Human beings were made to move outdoors. To walk, run, climb, swim, and explore. To feel the sun and fresh air. According to research from Harvard Health, time spent moving in nature reduces stress, improves mood, and boosts energy in ways that indoor exercise alone does not replicate. After a few hours at Rockaway on Sunday I felt exactly that. We were back home before noon, I grabbed something to eat, lay down on the couch, and absolutely panned out. A proper, deep, natural sleep — the kind that reminded me of coming home from Carramore Beach as a kid in Ireland, completely spent from hours of swimming and fresh air.
We Make This More Complicated Than It Needs to Be
Sometimes we make health and fitness far more complicated than it needs to be. We think exercise has to happen in a gym, that it has to be programmed, that it has to involve a specific number of sets, reps, or minutes. But sometimes exercising outdoors can simply be getting outside and moving.
And right now is the perfect time to do it. It is August. The weather is good — generally. In a few months, when we are in the middle of winter putting on five layers just to leave the house, we will be wishing we had made more of these sunny summer days. At our gym in Long Island City we talk about this a lot — the best training is the kind you actually do, and sometimes that means stepping outside instead of waiting for the perfect conditions indoors.
This Weekend’s Challenge
Get outside. It does not need to be a brutal workout. It does not need to leave you gasping for air. Maybe you get up an hour earlier and go for a long walk while everywhere is still quiet. Maybe you find a hike you have never done before, grab a bike and explore somewhere new, or get into the water and enjoy the feeling of splashing around like a child again. Maybe you get a few friends together and walk somewhere instead of sitting indoors.
Whatever it looks like, just move your body, breathe some fresh air, and enjoy the sun while we have it. Your body will thank you for it. And if you are lucky, you might even earn yourself one of those deep post-beach naps.
If you want a community that takes that approach to health seriously — inside and outside the gym — book a free intro call. Come and train with people who actually enjoy moving.
Have a great weekend.
Seamus Keane, NASM CPT
Co-founder, The Trinity NYC
