We have been bathed in glorious sunshine this week and it feels amazing to get outside and feel the sun on our skin again.
While our sunny disposition may change with the weather, it’s always good to make the most of it while you can – and that includes exercising outdoors.
Because, let’s face it, the treadmill and weights areas just don’t have the same appeal when it’s warm outside.
If you’ve only ever really worked out at a gym, however, you might be wondering how to make your sweat session an al fresco experience.
From wild swimming and cycling to bootcamps and running, here are six outdoor workouts across the Harrogate district to get you out in the sunshine this spring and summer:
Outdoor fitness sessions with Set the Tone Fitness – Ripon and Knaresborough
A Set the Tone outdoor fitness session.
Head fitness coach Stu Clark and his team run outdoor sessions across Ripon and Knaresborough.
You can expect a mixture of cardio and non-cardio exercises and activities, along with fun warm-ups, team and pair work, accompanied by some “excellent tunes”.
The sessions are suitable for all levels of fitness.
Stu said:
“There’s nothing better than breathing in the fresh air and feeling the sun on your back while you’re doing squats or a one-minute plank.
“It makes you feel alive. There’s something about being in amongst nature and hearing those sounds that brings peace and calm.
“You can forget your other pressures and focus on enjoying the outdoors – even if that involves getting a bit of a sweat on and doing more star jumps than you thought possible.
“The sessions and are great fun. After all, laughter is great for your stress levels and may lower blood pressure.”
Parkrun – Harrogate, Knaresborough and Ripon
A parkrun in Harrogate from 2015.
Parkrun sees runners of all abilities take part in a 5km run every Saturday morning.
It holds three events in the Harrogate district: on The Stray in Harrogate, at Conyngham Hall in Knaresborough and at Fountains Abbey in Ripon.
It offers an opportunity for all the local community, regardless of age or gender, to come together on a regular basis to enjoy the beautiful green spaces and get physically active at the same time – and best of all, it’s free!
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Wild swimming – various locations
Ben Pitts tests the waters at Janet’s Foss in Malhamdale.
Wild – or outdoor – swimming has enjoyed increased popularity in recent years, with more and more people even braving the elements and swimming throughout the seasons.
If winter swimming sounds a little on the chilly side, then luckily late spring and early summer is a more favourable time to start.
Wild swimmer Ben Pitts, from Harrogate, said:
“I started back in 2019 with a friend from work. For some reason we decided November would be a great time to start, so there was actually frost in the shaded part around the lake. I’m pretty sure we were only in there for a minute, but that was long enough.
“I wanted to get into it after reading about the benefits of it in one of Ross Edgley’s books.
“The mental clarity you get from being in the cold and the rush of energy once you’re out are fantastic, so it’s not hard to see why more people are getting into it with everything that has been going on. It also increases your white blood cell count, which helps your immune system.”
Swimming outdoors is a great way to stay fit and connect with nature, but some basic safety precautions must be taken.
When it comes to locations, a good place to start is here.
Cycling with The Personal Cyclist, Harrogate area
Head outside on a bike with confidence – even if you don’t know where to start.
If you’re anything like me and you love the idea of heading out on a bike, but have no idea where to start, The Personal Cyclist offers cycling confidence coaching and personalised guided cycling tours in and around Harrogate.
Founder Kate Auld said:
“Cycling outdoors with the wind in your hair is one of the best ways to see the world, get close to nature and get a cracking workout in the process.
“You can’t check your phone and just ‘switch off’, you have to really engage with your surroundings and that’s what makes it magic.
“Often people who haven’t ridden for years just need a little extra support to cycle safely and socially. It’s a myth that you need to have all the gear (or go fast) to reap the benefits of cycling outside.”
Ready Steady Mums walking group – Harrogate
Ready Steady Mums brings new parents together once a week to walk together.
In Harrogate, simply going for a weekly walk around The Stray has been a lifeline for dozens of new parents, who bring their babies along to get out of the house and make friends at what can be a very isolating time.
Formed in 2016, the volunteer-run group offers “friendship, support, cake, fresh air and fitness” and meets at St Mark’s Church, just off Leeds Road, at 10am every Friday.
It is free to attend and there is no need to book. I’ve heard amazing things about the homemade cakes!
Bootcamps with Lauren Randall Fitness – Harrogate
Bootcampers get stuck in at “The Ranch”, just outside Pannal.
Personal trainer Lauren coaches at the biggest outdoor gym space in the area, just outside Pannal, complete with a full gym rig and plenty of kit – perfect for adult PE.
Sessions at “The Ranch” are 45 minutes and focus on everything from weight lifting technique to cardio endurance to sport specific training, catering for all levels of fitness.
Lauren said:
“Research continues to prove that being outdoors and around nature improves mental health, lowers blood pressure, improves mood and relieves stress.
“Combine that with the endorphin release and plethora of benefits of exercising and you can’t go wrong.
“The winter weather can make it more challenging to get outside, but you’ll soon notice a surge in outdoor activities and better moods.”
