After four full months of road-testing all different types of home workout programs — Barry's [1], Peloton yoga [2], AKT, and Pilates, just to name a few — I finally discovered what worked for me. I had established a schedule that was easy to stick with, created some sort of normalcy, relieved stress, and brought me joy. The only thing that was missing? The sunshine.
Given that I was spending more time inside than ever before, I was seriously craving that comforting feeling of sunshine warming up my shoulders or a light, warm breeze hitting my skin. In an effort to increase my outdoor time, I decided that the perfect solution would be to complete my home workouts outside.
Starting off my day in the great outdoors proved to be a game changer for my mood, but the change of terrain from living room to backyard threw me for a loop. That's to say, I wasn't totally prepared for how the environment would alter my workout. After some trial and error (and mosquito bites), I discovered some essential info for bringing your home workouts to your backyard, rooftop, driveway, patio, or neighbourhood park.
A Large Water Bottle Is a Nonnegotiable
This goes without saying, but I'm going to say it anyway because we could all use the reminder: hydrating before, during, and after exercise is crucial to avoid illness, dehydration, headaches, and dizziness — and you should be drinking even more water in the summer [3].
The first time I took my 45-minute strength-training workout to my parents' backyard, I brought along a mini Swell bottle, and it wasn't nearly enough. No matter what type of exercise you're doing outside, be sure to be overprepared with a large water bottle. And if you're in the market for a new canteen, here's a shopping list to help you narrow down your search [4].
Bring a Mat — and Choose Your Surface Wisely
Another beginner's error: I didn't bring a mat for my first outdoor workout. I figured that, on the cushy grass, a towel would cut it. I was so wrong. I totally overestimated how soft the lawn was, and I didn't account for any dips or holes in the earth — it was very uncomfortable, especially for my lower back. If I was doing a HIIT workout where I needed to jump around, I also could have really injured myself on the uneven surface.
The next time I tried exercising outside, I brought along my lightweight yet supportive yoga mat and scouted out an even portion of the lawn that was also free of rocks.
Sunscreen and Bug Spray Are Essentials
Savasana [6] isn't exactly calming when you're swatting away mosquitoes the entire time. When I tried yoga outside in the grass, I didn't prep with any bug spray and ended up finishing my session with a few itchy, red welts. This could have been avoided if I had prepped with the proper products.
I religiously apply SPF to my face, but I do have the bad habit of forgetting to apply it to my limbs when I go outside. Luckily, I only experienced a very minor burn on my shoulders. Now, I make sure to put sunscreen on all my exposed skin when embarking outside for a workout.
Wear the Right Fitness Gear
After finishing a short jog, I decided to top off my daily exercise routine with a short strength-training workout, so I grabbed my mat and headed out to the backyard. My running shoes do not offer the same stability as my lifting shoes, so I ended up stumbling around and losing balance. This could have been a recipe for a painful injury if I didn't catch myself. Trust me — take the extra few minutes and put on the proper gear.
It's also a great idea to dress in lightweight, breathable styles [7] so you don't get overheated under the hot summer sun.
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