Breathe It In: 5 Reasons to Take Your Workout Outside This Season

There’s something magic about moving in the open air, isn’t there? The fresh breeze, the warm sun on your face, the birds cheering you on like feathery little personal trainers. If you’re feeling uninspired by treadmills and fluorescent lights, it might be time to lace up your runners and take your workout where it was always meant to be: outside.

At The Outdoor Squad, we’ve built an entire community around outdoor group training in Sydney’s Inner West, and we’re not looking back. Because when you train outside, you don’t just build strength. You build connection, confidence, and a whole new relationship with movement.

So if you’re wondering whether to swap your gym card for a patch of grass, here are five science-backed, feel-good reasons to take your training outdoors this season.

1. Fresh Air Does Wonders for Your Mood and Mind

You know that uplifting feeling you get after a walk in the park? That’s not a fluke. Studies show that outdoor exercise significantly boosts your mental wellbeing compared to indoor workouts. It reduces cortisol (your stress hormone), improves focus, and can even reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression.

When you train outside, you're also exposed to natural sunlight, which helps regulate your sleep and increases serotonin production, your body's natural mood stabiliser. That means more energy during the day, better sleep at night, and a general sense of "heck yes, I’ve got this" all around.

Bonus: In Sydney, we’re blessed with stunning outdoor spaces. Why not make them part of your wellness routine?

2. Nature Is the Ultimate Gym (With Better Views)

Forget weight machines and stale air. When you train outdoors, your environment becomes part of your workout.

• A bench becomes your step-up station

• A hill becomes your sprint zone

• A tree branch becomes your pull-up bar

Outdoor training also encourages more natural, full-body movement. Your body has to stabilise on uneven terrain, which activates muscles you wouldn’t usually target in a gym. Translation: you’ll build better core strength, balance, and coordination, often without even realising it.

And let’s be honest, a kettlebell circuit feels way more fun when your "ceiling" is blue sky and your background music is birdsong.

3. You Burn More Calories (Without Feeling Like You’re Dying)

Here's a sneaky secret: outdoor training often results in higher calorie burn.

Why? Because your body has to work harder to adapt to changing conditions: inclines, wind resistance, temperature shifts, and uneven surfaces all challenge your muscles in unique ways.

Plus, when you’re outside, you tend to train longer and push harder without realising it. You’re distracted by your surroundings, motivated by others, and generally having a better time than you would counting down the minutes on a gym treadmill.

It’s the difference between "ughh, five more reps" and "wait, it’s over already?"

4. It’s Free, Flexible, and Fuss-Free

One of the best parts of outdoor fitness? It’s accessible to everyone.

You don’t need an expensive gym membership or fancy equipment. You can show up in your activewear, bring a towel and water bottle, and be good to go. Whether it’s a local park, beach, or even your backyard, the world becomes your workout space.

At The Outdoor Squad, we host regular group sessions across Sydney’s Inner West that are inclusive, beginner-friendly, and always adaptable to your level. No pressure. Just smart, effective training that fits around your lifestyle.

You also get the benefit of:

• No waiting for machines

• No blaring pop remixes

• No awkward eye contact with gym strangers

Just movement, sunshine, and good vibes.

5. You Stay More Motivated (Thanks to the Squad)

Let’s be honest, the hardest part of any fitness routine is sticking with it.

Outdoor group workouts offer a secret weapon: community. When you train with a crew, you show up more often, stay accountable, and have way more fun. You laugh through the burpees, cheer each other on through the hill sprints, and finish stronger together.

It turns fitness from a solo struggle into something you actually look forward to. And when your training is social, supportive, and outdoorsy? That’s a recipe for consistency that sticks.

We’ve seen members go from "I haven’t moved in years" to "I never thought I’d miss working out" in just a few months, all because of the Squad vibe.

The Outdoor Squad Difference

If you’re ready to take your fitness outdoors but aren’t sure where to start, that’s where we come in.

The Outdoor Squad is more than a bootcamp. We’re a welcoming fitness family built around smart programming, supportive coaching, and a shared love of movement in nature.

What you can expect:

• Sessions designed for all fitness levels

• A focus on functional strength, mobility, and cardio

• Locations in the heart of Sydney’s Inner West

• Weekly wellness resources (recipes, mindset tips, recovery guides)

• No pressure, just progress

We train in the parks you already love, with people you’ll genuinely enjoy sweating alongside.

Ready to Breathe It In?

This season, step away from the walls and into the wild. Your body, brain, and heart will thank you.

Whether you’re returning to movement after a break, looking for a gym alternative, or just want to mix things up, outdoor workouts offer a refreshing reset.

So take a deep breath. Feel the grass underfoot. And give yourself the gift of movement that feels like freedom.