Let’s face it: 2020 won’t have the most fun summer ever. Beaches are reducing capacity to promote social distancing, many states are still forcing gyms to stay closed, and just about every concert has been cancelled until 2021.
But the weather’s still warming up and you do need a daily dose of Vitamin D. So even though you may not be meeting up with as many friends, you can still enjoy the outdoors by working out outside. Whether it’s just doing burpees in the park or getting away for a socially distant hike in the mountains, there are countless ways to get your heart pumping and keep that beach bod intact.
There are plenty of reasons to work out outside: the most obvious being that you get to enjoy the good weather. We spent way too many months bundled up inside to not soak up some sun rays when they finally decide to come out and play.
Secondly, it might force you to do some routines you may not have otherwise tried. Consistent routines are great, but you won’t know if you like a new regimen or not unless you try it.
And lastly, the sun is the best Vitamin D supplement you can get — and it’s free!
To help you make the most of your outdoors workouts, we’ve compiled a list of the best workout gear. From equipment that’ll make your sessions more challenging, to the water bottle that’ll keep you hydrated, we’ve got just about everything you need.
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Courtesy Everlast
Everlast Weighted Vest
Make any workout, or walk in the park, more challenging and burn extra calories by strapping on an Everlast weighted vest. Secured by adjustable straps, this vest, which starts at 10 pounds, fits just about any body type. Great for hikes, bodyweight workouts, or just wearing around the house.
If you’re going to be sweating outside, you have to be sure to stay hydrated. Hydros water bottles not only keep your drink cold, but clear of any contaminants in a BPA-free casing. The filter is made of 100 percent coconut shell carbon and a 20 oz. bottle will filter your water in just about 20 seconds. No having to wait for a drip, drip, drip like other containers.
Working out outside likely means a lot of running, so you might as well make sure you’re doing it properly.
NURVV is a shoe insole that tracks and coaches your running technique. Simply connect the insole to the app then run — you’ll get tons of running tips, including personalized speed and technique workouts.
We’ve sung praises of sandbag training in the past, and this versatile tool is a perfect option for taking your workout outdoors.
Brute Force offers sandbags for every experience level. Their most popular is the Athlete Sandbag, which can be filled with between 25 and 75 pounds of sand for optimal use. It’s made of Mil-Spec Cordura, a tough fabric that’s often used in military gear, and seams are reinforced.
The shifting weight in a sandbag makes your muscles engage in ways they’re not used to, and you’d be hard pressed to find a more versatile and portable fitness tool than this.
Training outdoors can often mean weathering the elements, so it’s worth investing in some training outerwear you feel comfortable in.
This NOBULL jacket is flattering and neutral, and it’s made with Polartec Power Shield Pro—a three-layer fabric that keeps wind and rain out without feeling stiff. It’s soft and breathable, so you won’t feel like you’re wearing a sauna suit mid-hike or workout, and you don’t get the noisiness that comes with wearing a traditional shell jacket.
You’ll thank yourself later when you’re halfway through your run and it starts drizzling.
If you’re the type of person who likes to work out early in the morning or late in the evening, a headlamp is a must-have item. Even if you’re a hiker who typically doesn’t stay out until dark, it’s a good item to keep in your bag just in case.
If working out with a headlamp on sounds annoying it certainly can be. But BioLite’s Headlamp 200 is about as slim and lightweight as a headlamp could be, so it’s a great option for runners especially. The band is sweat-wicking, and the housing of the lamp itself is integrated with the band, so it sits flat and stays in place while you’re moving around.
As far as the light itself, its max output is 200 lumens, and that’s more than bright enough. It’s also rechargeable with a USB port, so no batteries necessary.
If you’re hitting the trails for the first time ever now that getting outside is pretty much all we can do, you want to make sure you’ve got a good guide.
Suunto is a brand that’s popular among athletes and the military for its GPS watches, and the Suunto 7 is where smartwatch meets sport watch. It tracks more than 70 exercise activities, so you can just as easily use it at the gym, and you can download free offline maps to use while you’re running or hiking. You can choose between terrain maps or heat maps that show the most traveled paths for 15 of those activities, including running. Even without cell service, you’ll be able to find your way back.
On the smartwatch side, the watch is powered by Google’s Wear OS. And it doesn’t hurt that it’s a nice-looking watch that you’d probably get some compliments on at work.
Whether you’re running, hiking, cycling, or even just walking a lot, compression socks can be a game changer. Runners especially swear by them to help with circulation, reduce inflammation, and shorten recovery time post workout—but they can be uncomfortable.
Nabee’s compression socks have some game-changing features like a seamless toe; soft, breathable fabric; and a cushioned sole with padding by the Achilles heel. They cater to athletes and nurses, so they’ve been put to the test. Plus, they come in some great colors (the Freedom, pictured above, is our favorite).
