Lot of fitness enthusiasts in India are taking a break from the local gym and spend their fitness time at the local park, or the beach, or on the roads (early morning when its deserted).
It can be quite refreshing to take a walk or jog, and do your squats and push-ups outdoors. And if you’ve been doing this for some time now, you’re not the only one. There are many who’re ditching the gym for outdoor exercises, including cycling.
Just check places like Carter Road, Joggers Park, gardens in Mulund, or the mini-seashore in Vashi, and you’ll see fitness enthusiasts having a good workout there. Of course they save on the gym membership as well.
It all starts with one session, probably over the weekend, or if you’re running an injury, when you decide to go outdoors for a light workout, and then you’re hooked on to nature. A few times at the local garden or beach, and many already start contemplating quitting the gym.
You soon realize that nothing can beat the bench presses or morning runs with your pet dog on the complex outdoor terrains, with fresh air to breathe.
And what do the personal trainers and fitness instructors have to say about this development?
Of course, if you’ve invested in a gym (or work there), you’re going to preach that hitting the gym is the only way to overcome the bulge.
And there may be some truth to it, especially if you’re really serious about fitness, and have a particular goal to achieve.
Equipment such as treadmill or the elliptical helps you track time and the calories burnt. The personal trainer (and the ambiance) can motivate you to push yourself further. Besides, outdoor exercise is dependent on the weather and the surroundings can change.
Having said that, certain forms of exercises such as Yoga is best done in nature. Not only do you feel-good when outdoors, it also helps to get higher vitamin D levels, which unfortunately, many in Mumbai are not able to avail of.
There are many Mumbaikars who prefer to exercise outdoors, especially in the morning. Thankfully, winter in Mumbai just means really pleasant temperatures and so its also the best time to exercise outdoors, especially if you’re in Mumbai. Besides, experts feel that the benefits of exercising in the open are greater than working out inside a room.
Here are a few reasons to head out to work-out your body.
Running on a treadmill can be monotonous compared to Jogging outdoor
A recent study in the journal, Environmental Science And Technology, says that participating in physical activity outside has a better effect on physical and mental well-being than physical activity indoors. And, an analysis of both outdoor and treadmill running published in the Journal of Biomechanics says that people flex their ankles more when they run outside, which stresses muscles differently.
“Similarly, when you cycle outdoors, the wind drag can result in greater energy demands as compared to covering the same distance on a stationary bike,” says Dr Jain.
The green effect
A study conducted in Japan shows that walking in natural surroundings lowers the stress hormone, cortisol. Another study published last year found that walking through green spaces can put the brain into a meditative state. “There cannot be such a benefit when you hit the cross-trainer in a gym. So, walking in the open should be preferred,” says Dr Jain.
Gym air could be bad for you
In a recent study, researchers from Portugal and Holland measured the levels of commonly found indoor pollutants in gyms all across Lisbon, and found that these spaces showed high levels of airborne dust, formaldehyde and carbon dioxide, especially during evening aerobics classes, when many people were packed in small studios. They warn that these pollutants can lead to asthma and other respiratory problems in the long run, and high levels of carbon dioxide may even contribute to bodily fatigue and cognitive fogginess. The study mentions that since people breathe heavier while exercising in a gym, the pollutants go into the lungs.
Missing out on Vitamin D
Vitamin D is essential for the body, and not spending enough time in the sun may hamper the absorption of the vitamin. It is responsible for neuronal growth and has a positive effect on our mood. That is the reason why you feel happier when you go for a walk in a park instead of running on a treadmill in your home.
“Decreased outdoor activity is one big reason that makes most people deficient in vitamin D,” says Dr Hitesh Kubadia, orthopaedic and joint replacement surgeon, Nova Specialty Hospitals.
“Also, by exercising outside, you do your bones a favour as vitamin D is essential for the absorption of calcium in the body, which helps in strengthening the bones,” he adds.
Probably its bad for business, but the fact is that both, the elderly and the young, are opting to do it outdoors (just check out Carter Road on a weekend evening). they are hitting the streets & gardens in numbers. Battling the bulge, getting healthier, without having to spend a huge membership fee, can be a reality. There are many who are already doing it — ditching the gym for outdoor park bench presses.
Popular parks are becoming hub for fitness activities
Several parks in India now have facilities like open-air gyms and meditation zones. These places are perfect for indulging in fitness activities, doing meditation, and even for organising sports activities – karate and taekwondo classes, and yoga, zumba, and aerobics.
There are several popular parks that are now favourites with fitness-conscious people, and fitness enthusiasts are making the most of these green hubspots.
- Activities like yoga, taekwondo and karate
- Open-air gym with well-maintained equipment are a hit with fitness enthusiasts.
- Popular laughter-yoga spot in the city.
- Enjoy the greenery and herbal trees. The lush green landscape attracts several joggers from surrounding areas
- These parks also have juice stalls selling lemon and honey juice, along with mixed juices of aloe vera, karela, amla, methi, kadi patta and pudina.
Actors Working Out in Nature
Sidharth Malhotra, who debuted in Karan Johar’s “Student of the Year”, has a muscular body and an impeccable physique. Being from Delhi, he’s an avid sportsman, and sorely misses the open-air grounds of Delhi, now that he’s in Mumbai for professional reasons. He loves to play football and prefers playing football over working out in gym. He also prefers to run and swim to maintain his toned physique.
Actor Milind Soman loves the outdoors, which is clearly visible from all the videos that he posts on his Instagram site.
View this post on Instagram
Bhushan Pradhan is one of the fittest actors of the Marathi film industry, but instead of working out in a regular gym, Bhushan Pradhan prefers working out in the backyard of his home, and that too with naturally available things. The ‘Coffee Aani Barach Kahi’ actor doesn’t use dumb bells and lifts huge jack fruits to build his dola-sholas.
More ways to connect with nature in your city
The fast paced life in cities leave little time for people to connect with nature. Miss getting in touch with nature in cities? Well, here are some practical steps that you can take to enjoy nature, while living in a city.
The city life, work pressure, commuting time, hardly leaves us with any time or energy to pursue things that we love doing.
Most of us wish to be close to nature, but cannot afford to leave the luxuries of the city and move away on a regular basis.
But ever thought of creating one around you? Here are some doable ideas that will help you connect with nature.
- Visit the Nearest Park / GardenSpend some time daily strolling in the greens of a nearby garden or park. Jog around, sit idle or spend some quality time with your loved ones. If not daily, at least do it once in a week. Spending some time in the proximity of trees and plants relaxes your mind and is good for your health.Breathe in Freshness
There’s not much to breathe in the city, besides pollutants, when you step outside. But you can always experiment at home. Let your lungs inhale some fresh aroma of essential oils that you can use to transform the atmosphere of your home.
- Spend Time MeditatingYou will not realise its importance unless you actually do it. It is one of the simplest ways to connect with yourself. Meditate for a healthy and peaceful mind and body.
- Embrace the SunlightWhile it may not be possible in the monsoons, during other months, try getting some morning sunlight before the harsh lights start hurting your eyes. Not only is sunlight a natural anti-depressant, it also provides vitamin D to the body (good for skin and bone health).
- Spend Time Near WaterDo you live closer to the sea, river or lake? Make sure you spend some time near it (go boating if you have the facility where you live). Water is known to have a soothing effect on us. You could even sit besides the swimming pool in your residential complex (if you have access to one).
- Go Cycling in the MorningGetup at 5.30 or 6am and go for cycling (you can do that even during monsoons). There are several stretches of ‘greens’ near by, even if you live in a metro city. Breathe in the fresh, cool air and enjoy watching the greenery around, before the world gets up.
- Plant Trees at HomeIf you have spare space/land in your house, you can grows trees at home, you can grow a small garden, bring some flowers or do some kitchen farming. You can even have a small garden on the terrace or in your balcony or pot some small plants that can be grown indoors.
The lack of contact with nature has distanced us from a healthy lifestyle. Make little efforts to adopt these doable things and break that isolation from nature.
Open-Air Fitness Stations/Gyms Becoming Popular
The concept of open-air gym/fitness stations is fast catching up in India, and these parks are witnessing a steady increase in fitness enthusiasts thanks to the availability of various fitness equipment.
Akshay Kumar showing-off his skills
These open air gyms have fitness equipment for basic workout such as chin ups, pull ups, shoulder dips, parallel bar dips, push ups, squats, triceps dips, stretching using ladder bars, gymnast’s poles (mallakhamb), tyres, rope and dumbbells.
Until now, youngsters would frequent these places to take a stroll but now they can do some real exercise as well.
The air-walker allows visitors to walk freely without any hurdle by holding on to the steel railing (a great lower body workout). The park also has a shoulder exerciser with a wheel to help visitors give their upper body a workout. ‘The visitors exercise their legs in the air walker and then use the shoulder exerciser to strengthen their hands by pushing and rotating the wheel on both sides clockwise and anticlockwise’.
These parks also have a pebble walk for those who want to experience the acupuncture feeling in the park.
Several trained fitness and yoga instructors have started imparting classes in these parks.
Leave a Reply