Cardiovascular (Cardio) exercises are beneficial for everyone. They are considered training for your heart. In cardio exercises, your heart rate increases, which helps your heart pump more blood. Research has stated that everyone should perform at least 150 minutes of cardio weekly.
Jogging, running, and cycling are the most popular cardio exercises. They are easy, time-efficient, and help burn calories. All three are outdoor activities that people have been doing for many years.
However, as technology advanced, different machines or equipment were invented that could be used as an alternative to these traditional cardio exercises. For example, you can replace outdoor jogging and running by using a treadmill, and indoor cycling can replace outdoor cycling. Both options are convenient as they produce similar results.
Some people like doing indoor cardio, and some love going out to perform cardio. As people have different opinions regarding indoor and outdoor activities, a debate has started about which one is superior to the other.
This article will address this matter by identifying the advantages and disadvantages of indoor and outdoor cardio.
Contents
Indoor Cardio
Indoor cardio is well known for its convenience, as you do not need to step out of the home or gym. The popular indoor cardio machines are treadmills, indoor cycles, ellipticals, and rowers.
Indoor cardio has both benefits and drawbacks. Let’s discuss them.
Advantages of indoor cardio
· Convenience
One of the top benefits of indoor cardio is its convenience. You do not need to worry about the weather, as you will always be performing it in a controlled environment. Although the weather has become very unpredictable in recent times, when you are doing indoor cardio, this problem is out of the equation, which will not hinder your daily cardio goals.
· Mix and match
When you are doing indoor cardio exercises and have access to different equipment or machines, you can easily mix and match exercises to make the session more enjoyable. For example, if you do not enjoy walking on a treadmill, you can hop into other cardio exercises like rowing, elliptical, etc.
Mixing and matching can reduce dullness and make cardio sessions more enjoyable.
· Group Classes
In recent times, group classes have become very popular. Gyms organize group classes that include Zumba, yoga, and circuit training.
Training with people makes the cardio session more exciting and increases motivation to continue. People feel an adrenaline rush when they work out in groups, as there is a sense of being the best, which helps them push themselves hard.
Disadvantages of indoor cardio
· Dullness
Indoor cardio can be tedious, especially if you do it alone in your home. Walking on a treadmill or riding an indoor cycle while staring at the same wall for hours can make one feel dull. This dullness can lead to disliking doing that cardio, which ultimately results in entirely stopping doing cardio.
However, there are ways you can make your session enjoyable, even if you are doing indoor cardio alone in your house. One standard solution is to watch movies while walking on the treadmill. Some new machines have monitors for the indoor cycle or the treadmill with built-in games interlinked with the machine. For example, you can do virtual cycle races on the machines.
· Can be costly
The equipment required is not very cheap. Also, if you perform group workout sessions, it can cost you a good sum, depending on where you live.
· Occupy Space
If you do indoor cardio at home, you might face the problem of machines occupying your home space unless you live in a big house or garage—especially the treadmill requires a lot of space.
However, some foldable treadmills can solve this problem.
Outdoor Cardio
Outdoor cardio is best known for providing mental freshness. As you mostly perform it in a fresh manner, a sense of joy kicks in. While it has many benefits, it also has some drawbacks.
Advantages of outdoor cardio
· Mental Wellbeing
Outdoor cardio is performed in nature and helps improve mental well-being. Being in nature calms and soothes our minds, and studies have found that working out in a natural environment helps release tension.
Outdoor cardio helps decrease the cortisol level, known as the stress hormone.
· Cost efficient
Most outdoor cardio activities require nothing except a pair of shoes. They are mostly free. Yes, there are some costs if you are into cycling, but it can be considered an investment as you can use the cycle in multiple ways, enabling you to save money and even earn money.
· Exposure to natural nutrients
Outdoor cardio provides you with exposure to the sun, which provides you with free vitamin D. Also, when you do outdoor cardio, you adjust yourself to different environments, which helps to greatly increase your body’s resistance ability.
· Fun to do
Changing views can provide a massive drive to reduce dullness. Outdoor cardio offers precisely that.
Also, if you perform them in parks, you can find like-minded people doing the same activity, which can provide you with a motivation boost to continue the activity.
Disadvantages of outdoor cardio
· Time Scheduling
Outdoor cardio is usually performed very early in the morning or in the evening. People who have busy schedules need help to include outdoor cardio in their schedule.
As life gets hectic, waking up early can cause improper sleep, and doing cardio in the evening can feel tiresome after a long work day.
· Environmental Barriers
Weather can be a significant obstacle for outdoor cardio. If it heavily snows, rains, or is excessively hot, then doing cardio in those environments will be risky.
If the bad weather lasts longer, people lose their motivation over time.
Summary
After reading the benefits and drawbacks, you might still need clarification about what you should choose.
The answer is simple. Do outdoor cardio exercises if you have enough time and do not want to spend extra money on equipment. If you have access to cardio machines, try them also. Then, decide which one you like the most so that you can stick to your routine.
Both indoor and outdoor cardio provide similar benefits. The question is not which one is better but which one will be sustainable for you.