The Benefits of Strength Training Outside
Getting Started with Strength Training Outside
Outside Strength Workout #1
The Benefits of Strength Training Outside
Most clients at Steven Rice Fitness, and myself personally, train outside. We are either in parks or outside the client’s home. In this first column for The Trainers I’ll try to convince you why this should also be part of your fitness strategy.
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| Outside doing kettlebell swings |
For example, in the gym someone might focus on “the big lifts”, meaning back squats and deadlifts with a barbell, bench presses, and bent over rows. Two or three days a week she’s lifting heavy iron, then a couple times going to the park for mobility drills, kettlebell complexes, and suspension training. A dedicated runner could do a shorter run in the morning some days, and then in the afternoon work on strength training in multiple planes of motion and core work with body weight and resistance band exercises.
But why train outside either exclusively, or for variety? What’s special about strength training outside?
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| Sprinting at the Park |
Space, lots of open space. I’ve never been crowded at a park, even Saturday morning when it’s full of people. And you’re not limited to a lane, trail, or corner for exercise and movement.
Fresh air, sunshine, living things. Being in Nature energizes and motivates you. Good for mind and body, especially if your work keeps you indoors. (see The Rich and Measurable Benefits of Spending More Time in Nature )
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| Bring your dog to your workout |
Interesting, but not distracting, things happening. I’ve been with a client when, within sight but not too close, were little kids learning soccer in Spanish, Tai Chi practitioners, medieval war gamers, skate boarders doing tricks, and dogs. At the same time. And if you want, you can take your own dog. Gyms have TVs.
Run, jump, drop and throw things, crawl and climb. Grass is just a much more friendly surface for high impact exercises and ground movements than a floor or pavement, and sand pits may also be available. Playgrounds are for grown-ups too. HAVE FUN!
In the next column I’ll give some equipment tips on how to get started, particularly for strength building exercises.
Getting Started with Strength Training Outside
As kids, all we needed was to run outside and play with whatever we found, and as adults that creative spontaneity is still great. But I want to discuss training, especially strenth training, and not just playful exercise. That takes some equipment, and some planning.
Training outside requires a certain amount of lugging stuff around. This means using equipment that is as light, and versatile, as possible. However there’s no substitute for lifting heavy things to develop strength(and more), so the first bit of gear I recommend is kettlebells. Kettlebells are simple, rugged, and relatively portable. The other gear you’ll want is best for upper body, so look to kettlebells for lower body emphasis and that means heavy ones.
If you’re just starting, an average woman might do well with 8, 12, and 16 kilogram bells, and an average man could get 12, 16, and 20 kg sizes. Remember that you’ll be getting stronger, and learning a variety exercises, so owning a wide range will eventually be needed. Buying in pairs is useful but not essential. Don’t worry about carrying all this at once though, for a given workout you can plan out what you’ll need and leave the rest home.
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| Resistance Bands |
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| Homemade suspension trainer from climbing webbing. |
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| Plyo box and kettlebells |
A few other possibilities are medicine balls, because you can slam them without worrying about what they might bounce into; sandbags, because leaking won’t matter; and slosh pipes, because they are so large they don’t fit indoors well.
In picking a spot for exercise, I like one that has moderate length grass. Thick, lush grass is nice for mobility drills, but can be soggy so you and your equipment get messy. Of course you can change location for each particular exercise. A nearby hill or just uneven terrain is great for sprints and loaded carries(eg Farmers Walks). Most resistance band exercises, and all suspension ones, require an attachment point. For bands a tree trunk, sign, or play structure will do. Suspension devices need to be mounted high, so pick a spot to work out with something above your head for attachment. Playground structures, especially swingsets, work great, or use a low but sturdy tree branch. The ideal spot is a nexus of grass, some pavement, and a playground. Sun and shade, to taste.
A quick mention of footwear- Try minimal! A lot has been written concerning shoes for running on pavement, but for me the big win is feeling the texture of natural ground under you while doing strength and mobility training. Let those feet and ankles to do their job without being isolated and constrained by thick and restrictive shoes.
“But, Dude, what about Nature Stuff?” I’ll write more about using natural and man-made features in another column, but since the main focus at Steven Rice Fitness is strength training, equipment that allows measured and progressive training comes first. Stay tuned!
Equipment Suppliers:
Kettlebells- Rogue Fitness
Resistance bands- Rogue Fitness
Jungle Gym- Perform Better
Handle- Perform Better
Carabiners, slings and webbing- REI and REI
Minimal shoes- Fancy: Hylete or Cheap: Feiyue
Outside Strength Workout #1
Here is a simple and powerful workout using only a few bits of equipment(see Getting Started with Strength Training Outside).
Warm Up
Ten minutes of brief stretches and cardio to loosen up and get things moving. See Mobility and Warming Up for some background.
Three alternating sets of kettlebell swings and pushups
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| Outside doing kettlebell swings |
Depending on your level of strength, do the pushups with hands and feet on the ground, with the hands elevated, or with the feet elevated. Park benches are good for this. Keep a straight plank position throughout. For a bonus, use a resistance band crossed on your back and looped around each hand. Try for 8-12 reps.
Three sets of step ups alternating with suspended rows
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| Step ups while holding a kettlebell |
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| Rows on a suspension device |
Three sets, rear foot elevated(RFE) split squats, and overhead press
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| Rear foot elevated split squat |
The press is done standing straight up. It starts with a kettlebell held in front of the shoulder. As you lift it overhead pull your shoulder back, so the bell ends up above your back and your arm is pointing straight up. When learning the press use a moderate weight for 10-15 reps, then transition to 5-10 heavy reps.
Farmers walks and chops to finish
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| Farmers walk |
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| Resistance band chops |
Really work the transverse plane using a resistance band for chops. Resist movement in the core and spine, and create movement in the hips. Turn the arms, chest, and hips toward the attachment point, then rotate them all away pivoting on the hips. 5-8 slow reps each side, without a pause.
The workout ends with some slow stretching. Pick areas where you feel tight, and take more time with them than you did at the beginning.
