Having the best outdoor fitness equipment will provide you with experiences that you’ll never have in the gym. Exercising outdoors can do wonders for your mental and physical health. The sunlight, fresh air and natural surroundings are natural mood boosters. Moving your body outdoors will enhance the feel good chemicals released during a workout.
The best outdoor fitness equipment needs to provide you with a way to get a full body workout. In this article, I discuss equipment that will support your cardio, strength training and flexibility.
Best Outdoor Fitness Equipment: Cardio
Outdoor fitness equipment for cardio can vary depending on your preferences. If you prefer to keep it simple- then a classic jump rope is all you need. A jump rope is so simple, yet effective. Portable and light weight enough to take anywhere. Here is a great video on a 10 minute Jump Rope Workout.
Battle Ropes are another type of cardio fitness equipment, but they are not as convenient because of their weight. Battle ropes are anchored to a fixed point and are used for high-intensity cardio workouts.
More expensive fitness equipment, but excellent for cardio are bikes. This could be a mountain bike, road bike, or even an outdoor elliptical. Outdoor ellipticals give you a low-impact, high-intensity workout. If you have knee problems this could be your solution. I’ve seen a few people riding these around where I live. What a great invention!
For me personally, I have always had a hard time with treadmills and ellipticals in a gym because they are stationary. You are moving- but not going anywhere. The scene in a gym might be a TV with the negative news playing or a wall of mirrors. Compare this to getting on a bike and going for miles and miles where you’re cycling through lush green parks, green belts or trails.
Other options would include speed/HIIT type sessions where you can set up cones to maneuver around or hit the workout stations on a fitness trail where you run between each one.
Best Outdoor Fitness Equipment: Strength Training
There are two main ways you can go here for strength training. Use existing outdoor fitness equipment or bring your own.
Fitness trails can be equipped with stations for pull-ups, dips, and other bodyweight exercises, providing you with a full-body workout. Check out my article here if you want to read more about Fitness Parks.
If you prefer to have your own equipment, there are numerous options.
Resistance bands. These stretchy pieces of equipment offer a whole gamut of strength exercises to target different muscle groups. You can pretty much mimic any lifting movement with these bands, and they come in various resistance levels to match your strength gains.
Resistance bands should be the cornerstone of your mobile gym. They’re the ultimate in versatility and take virtually no room at all. You can work on strength, flexibility, and mobility with these little powerhouses. And guess what? They can replace heavier weights when you’re doing squats, presses, or rows.
Gymnastics grips. You want to keep those hands safe and free from blisters when doing pull-ups on unfamiliar bars or rings. A good pair of grips does just that and ensures a solid, non-slip grip so you can focus on your form and reps.
Abdominal rollers. This nifty device is all about strengthening your core, which is pivotal for almost every CrossFit move. Although slightly larger than the other items, they’re still easily transportable compared to the bulk of traditional gym equipment. These typically weigh less than 2 lbs.
Mini parallettes can be surprisingly effective, especially for bodyweight exercises like L-sits and handstand pushups. They’re compact, lightweight, and let’s be honest, they’re pretty cool.
Plyometric boxes- a bit bulkier, but still portable. There are a variety of different styles and shapes to choose from. Using a plyometric box is great for doing step ups, single leg squats, and side step ups.
Best Outdoor Fitness Equipment: Flexibility
For improving flexibility, outdoor fitness equipment can be incredibly beneficial. Here are some of the best options:
Stretch Stations: These are specifically designed areas with various bars and platforms to help you perform different stretching exercises. They often include instructional signage to guide users through various stretches.
Yoga Platforms: Raised or flat surfaces designed for practicing yoga and other flexibility routines in an outdoor setting. These platforms provide a stable surface and are sometimes equipped with non-slip material.
Resistance Bands: As mentioned previously, not only are resistance bands great for strength training, they work well for stretching. You can anchor them to various outdoor structures (like trees or poles) to perform stretching and flexibility exercises. Here’s an article to illustrate further how you can use resistance bands to stretch.
Tai Chi/Yoga Wheels: These are designed to help users practice Tai Chi movements, which helps to relieve back pain, enhance flexibility and joint mobility.
Foam Rollers: While not typically fixed outdoor equipment, bringing a foam roller to an outdoor space can help with muscle recovery and flexibility through myofascial release.
Bringing It All Together: Creating Your Ideal Outdoor Gym
The best outdoor fitness equipment will provide you with a mix of cardio, strength, and flexibility. For cardio, you can keep it really simple and jump rope or ride a bike. Strength training equipment includes existing park gym/fitness trails, resistance bands, gymnastic grips, abdominal roller, mini parallettes and plyometric boxes.
Finally, for stretching the resistance bands are great, existing yoga platforms and stretch stations at the parks- and a foam roller helps significantly with recovery.
I encourage you to look for opportunities to create a community around your outdoor gym. Organize workout groups or classes – this not only motivates but also builds a support system for achieving collective fitness goals.
I really hope that you’ve found this guide helpful as you explore the best outdoor fitness equipment. Now go out there, get active, and enjoy the benefits of fresh air and fitness in harmony!
Hello,
Fantastic guide on outdoor fitness equipment! I love how you have broken down the essentials for cardio, strength and flexibility. The tips on using resistance bands and incorporating different types of equipment like plyometric boxes and yoga platforms are particularly useful.
It is great to see suggestions for both using existing park facilities and bringing your own gear. This post has definitely inspired me to take my workouts outside and make the most of the fresh air and natural surroundings.
Thanks for the comprehensive overview and practical advice!
Hi Starlight~ Thanks for your comments! I’m glad this post has inspired you to exercise outdoors.
Dear Misty,
Thank you for your well-articulated guide on the best outdoor fitness equipment. I found it to be an insightful read, especially as it brings to light how beneficial outdoor fitness can be for both mental and physical health.
Your focus on cardio, strength training, and flexibility as the core components of maintaining a healthy body resonated with me. Your recommendations for each category are worth a second look, and I appreciate the broad range of options you provided that cater to various preferences and requirements.
For cardio, I agree that simple tools like a jump rope can be incredibly effective, and the flexibility provided by options such as battle ropes and bikes caters to various preferences and fitness levels.
Your emphasis on strength training was particularly enlightening. The use of resistance bands, gymnastics grips, and abdominal rollers, among others, certainly presents an appealing alternative to traditional gym equipment. I appreciate how these tools can be both portable and versatile, offering a broad range of exercises while being easy to transport and use outdoors.
The importance of flexibility is often understated, and I am glad you highlighted this. The use of stretch stations, yoga platforms, and resistance bands, as well as tools like Tai Chi/Yoga wheels and foam rollers, can indeed significantly enhance flexibility and joint mobility.
I concur with your recommendation of creating a community around outdoor gyms. This not only motivates but also creates a supportive environment for achieving collective fitness goals.
Once again, thank you for your thoughtful guide. I believe many would benefit from implementing these practices and incorporating the suggested equipment into their fitness routines.
Here’s to the benefits of fresh air and fitness in harmony!
Best regards,
Eric
Hi Eric- Thank you so much for your feedback! I’m happy to hear that you like the idea of outdoor gyms. There is so much emphasis on indoor gyms- and something I don’t really get because I think exercising outdoors is so much better.
Fantastic guide on outdoor fitness equipment!
You’ve covered everything from cardio essentials like jump ropes and battle ropes to strength training gear and flexibility tools. Your insights into each type of equipment, especially the benefits of moving workouts outdoors, are spot on. I particularly appreciate the emphasis on creating a versatile outdoor gym with a mix of cardio, strength, and flexibility tools. It’s great to see such a comprehensive approach to enhancing fitness in natural surroundings.
Thanks for the detailed breakdown and practical tips—this will definitely help anyone looking to take their workouts outside!
Hi Nikolay- I appreciate your comments! I truly believe that more people would get fit & stay fit if they moved their workouts outdoors. I never get bored and I always look forward to exercising.
As someone who absolutely loves the combination of fresh air and a good workout, I found this guide on outdoor fitness equipment incredibly insightful and motivating! There’s something so invigorating about exercising outdoors, surrounded by nature, that you just don’t get in a gym setting. The benefits of sunlight and fresh air as natural mood enhancers are such an important point, and it’s amazing how they can amplify the positive effects of physical activity.
The breakdown of the best outdoor fitness equipment by category is particularly helpful. For cardio, the simplicity and effectiveness of a jump rope can’t be overstated. It’s such a versatile piece of equipment that you can take anywhere, making it perfect for outdoor workouts. I also appreciate the mention of battle ropes and outdoor ellipticals. While they might be a bit more cumbersome to transport, they offer unique ways to engage in high-intensity cardio workouts.
Strength training outdoors also sounds incredibly appealing. The versatility of resistance bands is a real game-changer, allowing for a comprehensive workout without the need for heavy weights. The inclusion of equipment like gymnastics grips and abdominal rollers highlights the importance of a holistic approach to fitness, incorporating both strength and core stability. Mini parallettes and plyometric boxes are fantastic additions for those looking to add variety and challenge to their workouts.
Flexibility and recovery are often overlooked, so it’s great to see equipment like stretch stations, yoga platforms, and foam rollers highlighted here. These tools are essential for maintaining flexibility and aiding in muscle recovery, ensuring that we can continue to enjoy our outdoor workouts without injury.
The idea of creating a community around outdoor fitness is brilliant. Group workouts not only make exercising more enjoyable but also provide a supportive environment that can help keep motivation levels high. It’s a fantastic way to build connections with others who share similar fitness goals.
Overall, this guide is a comprehensive resource for anyone looking to take their fitness routine outside. The mix of cardio, strength, and flexibility equipment ensures that you can get a full-body workout while enjoying the benefits of being outdoors. Thank you for sharing these valuable insights—I can’t wait to start incorporating more outdoor workouts into my routine!
Lizzy- thanks for commenting! Glad to see that you think these pieces of equipment are beneficial. I am super excited about starting an Official Outdoor Fitness Club with year round events for men & women over 50! I love encouraging people and motivating them to remain active and not let their age dictate what they do.