The Easiest Way to Amp Up Your Workout

If you haven’t taken advantage of warmer temperatures yet and moved your workout outside, you're missing out on some major body benefits! Taking your workout to the great outdoors not only boosts your results, it relieves more stress and increases energy levels. In a 2007 study, English researchers found that people who exercise outdoors are less stressed after their routine, while those who stayed inside felt more stressed! And we're just getting started. Read on for six more reasons to skip the gym and sculpt your body al fresco.

1. Trade the Treadmill for Terrain to Sculpt Sexy Legs

Switching from the treadmill to running or walking outside means you’ll activate even more of your lower body muscles, resulting in toned legs and a higher calorie burn—all within the same amount of workout time.

“Natural terrain changes, even if slightly, every few yards, which means you will be constantly engaging all of the muscles in your legs to keep you moving through rough patches and changes in steepness,” says Michele Olson, Ph.D., professor of exercise science at Auburn University Montgomery and creator of the Perfect Legs, Glutes & Abs DVD. “This ‘randomness’ surprises your leg muscles, and it is that very ‘shock’ or ‘surprise’ that is most effective in improving muscle fitness.”

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