Have you ever thought about where you are going to exercise? Some people have a home treadmill, others go to the gym, and many prefer running in the great outdoors. But which is best? There are several factors to consider here, so it’s difficult to say.
A team at the Peninsula College of Medicine and Dentistry conducted a study about this exact topic. They found that exercising outdoors lead to overall better mental health, feelings of revitalization, and motivation to continue exercising. Plus you get some Vitamin D!
There are also benefits for going to the gym. There are classes you can take, making it easy to schedule some workout time. You can also make an appointment with a personal trainer. He or she will help you achieve better health on a personalized level. It is also more affordable to pay for a gym membership than it is to fork out several hundred dollars for a brand new home treadmill.
However, home treadmills do have their advantages. Treadmills are softer on your joints because they have more “give”, or shock absorption. They also allow you to exercise in the comfort of your own home. You don’t have to worry about people watching you or feeling self conscious. It also makes it easier to just jump on for a quick run during TV commercials!
At the end of the day, exercising at all is what counts. Each person is different, so they may prefer different exercising conditions. If you have bad joints, then opt for a treadmill. But if you struggle with consistency, a gym membership might be the better choice. Some people struggle with depression, so outdoor running might be their first choice. It’s all a matter of what benefits you want to reap from your workout.
If you want to reap the benefits of exercising outdoors but have bad joints, you might want to consider using your treadmill in the backyard. You get the joint support combined with the mental benefits!
There are also online personal trainers available, so you can just set your tablet on the treadmill in the magazine holder and run with your trainer’s direction. Using these ideas combined will give you the benefits of all the different exercise locations.
What are some creative ways you’ve found to exercise? Have you ever used a treadmill outdoors? Go ahead and share your stories with us!
