The benefits of regular physical activity

Increases energy

Reduces risk of developing cardiovascular disease

Reduces risk of developing non-insulin dependent diabetes, a health epidemic associated with obesity and a sedentary lifestyle

Prevents weight gain, helps with weight loss and is critical in keeping the fat off once you’ve lost it

Lowers the incidence or progression of colon cancer and may have a preventive effect on other types of cancer as well, such as breast cancer

Lowers risk of osteoporosis and builds bone or slows bone loss

Enhances your overall mood and feelings of well-being

Improves sleep patterns

Increases stamina, strength and flexibility, allowing you to perform a variety of work, home and recreational activities

Improves balance, prevents falls and helps you to stay independent as you age

Can decrease the symptoms of osteoarthritis if performed properly

Helps you to live longer (really!) and increases fun, confidence, camaraderie, pride, relaxation, sense of achievement and more…

The benefits of exercising outdoors

Exercising outside in the fresh air has many benefits and advantages over exercising in a gym. These include:

Exposure to vitamin D found in natural daylight promotes calcium absorption

Exercising on uneven terrain helps to improve bone density, works your core muscles and improves your balance

Exercising outdoors is likely to burn more calories as it requires you to overcome gravity, ground reaction forces and other environmental factors such as wind, heat and cold, as well as changes in terrain

Exercising in the fresh air will lift your mood and increase your sense of wellbeing

Exposure to sunlight will boost your natural bio-rhythms, helping to combat Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)

Need more incentives to become a Fit Woman?

Research shows that around 44 per cent of women in the UK have never joined a gym and one in five of those who have, never go!

Boredom with the routine is one of the main reasons many women ditch the gym – signing up for some new exercise classes can mix up your workouts and make you far more likely to want to get off the sofa

Studies show that people who exercise outdoors are less likely to abandon their routine than those who go to a gym

Did you know that strenuous outdoor walking is the most effective bone-strengthening exercise you can do?

Studies show that women are much more likely to stick to an exercise regime if they do it with a friend, so go on, bring a buddy (and make some more while you’re there)!