Exercising outdoors vs. indoors benefits?

[Aonarch]

Quick question for you guys:

Lets say I run 5 miles on an outdoor track in 90F of hot sun, and my clone runs 5 miles on an indoor track with no direct sunlight and at 70F.

Does the temperature and sunlight make a difference on calorie burn/ fat burn, or any other factors? Obviously running in 90F sunlight will cause you to sweat more than 70F in the shade, but does the act of sweating do anything beneficial towards weight loss, or is it purely water weight that will replenish itself? Assume both runners are in perfect health and fully hydrated.

I'm not looking to lose weight, I have just always exercised outdoors and was curious if it has any benefits.

[spoolin215]

Extreme temperature hot or cold will yield a greater caloric output, because your body has to work harder to keep your core temp regulated, however the difference is negligible. The title of your thread is a bit misleading because exercising is broad, and running is specific. Running outdoors is more difficult because of uneven terrain, however if you're on track in both scenarios, again it doesn't really matter.


Is there a benefit to sweating? I guess there's that whole "sweating out the toxins" thing, but it just means you'll have to work harder to stay hydrated.

I think the biggest benefit to exercising outdoors is the mental aspect, it's nice to be outside, have changing scenery, enjoying fresh air, etc...however the type of training I do isn't conducive to being outside.

[Aonarch]

Thanks for the response.

I trail run and cross country run, so no tracks for me. Uneven terrain, hills, different ground types etc.

[max302]

The best exercise is the one you actually get done. Running outside being generally more conducive to actually getting it done VS running on a noisey machine in a ****ty, neon-lit, douche-bag filled environment.

Also, I've had a hard time keeping up the pace I normally keep on a machine when running outside. Treadmills have more rebound than pavement, and for people like me who run on the ball of their foot that's critical.

[Aonarch]

The best exercise is the one you actually get done. Running outside being generally more conducive to actually getting it done VS running on a noisey machine in a ****ty, neon-lit, douche-bag filled environment.

Also, I've had a hard time keeping up the pace I normally keep on a machine when running outside. Treadmills have more rebound than pavement, and for people like me who run on the ball of their foot that's critical.

I will fall off treadmills. Too much rebound, it feels silly.

[pdoel]

Yeah, the biggest benefit to running outside is that you'll stick with it longer. I'd rather run 20 miles outside in 5 degree temps and snow (and have) than run run 5 miles indoors on a dreadmill or indoor track.

[Egilbe]

Yeah, the biggest benefit to running outside is that you'll stick with it longer. I'd rather run 20 miles outside in 5 degree temps and snow (and have) than run run 5 miles indoors on a dreadmill or indoor track.

my lungs are burning just thinking of that

[J-Tim]

I can't imagine spending more than 5 minutes in the gym. Even a thought of going there makes me feel depressed.

Running/riding outdoors is so much more enjoyable!

[dr_spock]

Outside good: sunlight for making vitamin D.
Outside bad: ultraviolet rays, air pollution and swarms of bugs.

[pdoel]

Bugs are extra protein. That's a plus, not a minus.

[Aonarch]

Low pollution in my area.

[turbinepowered]

The best exercise is the one you actually get done. Running outside being generally more conducive to actually getting it done VS running on a noisey machine in a ****ty, neon-lit, douche-bag filled environment.

I avoid this by going at night. It's cooler, calm, I'm usually the only one there (card locked door) and I don't feel like I have to meet anyone else's expectations.

Of course I also park at the office so I don't have to find anywhere to put my motorcycle gear, and that's a half mile walk. Great warm-up!

[4-Dr-W-a-T]

I prefer outdoors, I meet more enthusiasts that way.

The gym at the apt complex is full of people that dont understand the proper use of machines and proper form. All of the equipment is abused. I've tried to be nice and show people how to prevent the machine and operator from becoming broken, but noone cares.

Even when I went to places like 24 Hour, Golds, LA Fitness, I hardly see people wipe down the equipment. I dont know what diseases you are unknowingly carrying, nor do I want them.

Fresh Air, work on my tan, and no dealing with anyone else. Outside please!

Edit: Regardless of RAttlesnakes on the local trails, and almost being swiped by a car last night, I will still workout outside as much as possible!

[GodSquadMandrake]

I recently read an article on a fitness site about outside vs. inside and the author explains the mental benefits: article.

I was always a treadmill runner until I moved to Alaska. Then I started running outside, all through winter. Even -25F, but I quit at -40F and did stairs instead. I never thought it was possible to run in the cold or below freezing because every time I tried, it made my lungs hurt or I just got cold. I stuck with it though and after about 5 minutes your body warms up and it doesn't hurt to breathe. By the 10 minute mark it isn't cold at all and I can even sweat when it's 20 degrees out. If it's much colder than that I'll just wear a hat, but still just shorts and a t-shirt. If it's actually below zero I'll wear some thermals and a windbreaker/pants. That setup is fine down until -25F and the only problem is really my feet getting too cold. It's quite dangerous if you can't feel your toes because it means you're starting to get frostbite. I think Cold Killers makes some kind of waterproof/windproof insulated socks that could fix that. Even wool socks don't help with regular running shoes though and I don't feel like running with boots.

I lived in the middle east for a while too and that was actually more difficult to deal with. I could only run very early in the morning, or at night. The morning was always best. Even on days when the temperature got above 100 degrees it was fine in the morning and the humidity wasn't bad. It's quite dangerous to run in the hot sun however. I tried a couple times with my heart rate monitor on and it got over 200 BPM one time. I think it was like 210 and this was an accurate Polar HRM. I couldn't believe it but that was a good sign that I needed to stop.

So in either situation it's fine to run outside. I think the worst so far is Tokyo. It is impossible to get more than two steps without running into crowds or traffic. You can try running alongside highways but then you're just breathing in fumes from diesel trucks and GTRs. So far what works best is running stairs. There's a temple at the top of a hill by my house and nobody uses the stairs, they just drive to the top. So I just do HIIT on the stairs for 20 minutes and then walk home. I get some funny looks sometimes, like maybe people think I'm high on drugs and sweating or something. But meh it gets the job done.

[BetterByDesign]

I will always go longer and harder outdoors. I think that is a benefit.

[Vision33r]

Best exercise so far is running through Manhattan during rush hour. Hordes of people coming towards you that I wish I could wrestle or tackle. You do a lot of lateral movement to avoid people, I get more sweat out of running through pedestrian traffic than on a treadmill.

[HI SPEED]

The best part about running outside is that as far as you run you have to get back somehow. I usually run until I'm out of steam on the way out. That way I have to dig deep on the way back.

I have never ran more than 2 miles on a treadmill all the lights and noises distract me.