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In summer months there are opportunities to use outdoor training for classes, bootcamps, and individual training. A massive trend through lockdown; training outdoors can add an extra dimension to your training or your business.
With our customers looking to expand outdoor spaces, we collaborated with Outdoor Fitness Concepts to enhance their spaces through accessories and storage options such as the Freedom Leisure Guildford site.
So why go outdoors...
There was a boom in outdoor training during lockdown but as soon as gyms reopened, we retreated indoors. Now that the warmer months are here, consider outdoor training alongside your existing gym programme. We are all aware of the possibilities of training fatigue and the damage it can do to your training plan. To help avoid this, make sure your training offers a variety of exercises and different spaces. A change of scenery and fresh air can do wonders.
As a business you can create training spaces and classes outdoors as an additional revenue stream. Extending your working spaces and offering seasonal training opportunities.
Outdoor spaces fall into three categories...
- Grass: if you are lucky enough to have your own private grassy area, this is perfect for classes, boxing, and circuits - take advantage of larger spaces for multiple classes running simultaneously. If you have access to public space, nearby parks and playing fields, these can be used. However, make sure you have permission and there are no other activities going on. You don't want a turf war with another gym or trainer.
- Cement: last summer we saw several customers utilise their car park for class work and individual training. We would recommend avoiding the use of concrete surfaces where possible. Long-term you can cause injury and there is little grip, especially when wet, which can cause falls and there is no cushioning for impact on joints.
- Sand: for those near a beach, have you tried training on sand yet? Forget for a minute that sand gets EVERYWHERE - into your shoes and car and you will still be finding it weeks later. Training in sand increases resistance giving you a more intense workout. But it also helps to absorb impact to your joints and back, lowering the chance of injury.
For any surface you are working on - outdoors and indoors - check all surfaces beforehand for foreign objects to avoid injury and damage to any equipment.
Choosing your outdoor fitness training equipment...
When it comes to outdoor training what equipment you use will depending on the type of training experience you want to create.
- Circuits: trainers use circuit training for rehab, conditioning, fitness, strength, and weight loss. To create these types of workouts, you don't need to use equipment, you can just use body weight. But by adding pieces into your circuit adds definitive stations and expands options. We would recommend; Storm Rower (it's got wheels and doesn't need plugged in), Series 3 Dumbbells and Barbells, Medicine Balls and Marker Cones.
- Classes: have you tried pilates on the beach or boxing in the park? Both are easy to set up and pack away at the end of the class. Try our Pilates Mats or Boxing Gloves and Pads for these quick and easy classes.
- HIIT: we love a HIIT work out, they build strength and burn calories efficiently and, in a class setting is fun with healthy competition. Our recommendations for equipment to build your ultimate HIIT workout include Skipping Ropes or Speed Rope, Battle Rope, Slam Balls, Sandbags, Kettlebells, Storm Air Bike (it has wheels so can be moved easily), or Storm Ski Trainer. There is no limit to what you can include if you choose pieces that will make you sweat and sweat quickly. In addition to equipment, you can add in hills when outside for added resistance training.
Please remember, for items that have electrical components, don't take them on sand. While we would love to make castles out of the sand we fish out of these pieces, your warranties won't cover it.
And our equipment should not be used in the rain, although do you want to train outside when it's raining anyway!?
Equipment does not live outdoors...store it properly
We cannot stress their enough - do not store your gym equipment outdoors in an area open to the elements. If you don't have any indoor space, you should have a covered, secure area where moisture will not deteriorate your equipment.
If you already have your gym set up and only want to host limited training outdoors, then make sure you have everything ready to go in easy reach.
Our Origin Hinged Storage Cage is a great example of moveable storage great for indoor and outdoor classes and circuits. With wheels, you can get all your equipment ready in advance and wheel out when needed.
DISCLAIMER. Do not leave your equipment outdoors permanently or use gym equipment outdoors unless it has been specifically designed for this reason. All products within our blog are meant to be stored indoors in a dry location. You should wipe down all pieces' post-workout to ensure no moisture remains on the equipment which could lead to long-term damage.
Inspiration gallery...
Some of our customers have been taking advantage of the good weather already and creating their own outdoor training experiences...
