What are the benefits of outdoor workouts?

Outdoor workouts are a great way to breathe some fresh air and see some sunshine, all while gaining the physical benefits of exercise.

How do you care for gear that is used outdoors?

Depending on the material of the gear, you can usually wash your gear and equipment after using it outdoors. Also, make sure to remove moisture from your equipment before storing it.

Can you leave workout gear outside?

It is best not to leave gear and equipment outside, if possible. When you are done using it, store it inside or, if needed, in a garage or shed that offers some protection from the elements.

What precautions should you take when exercising outdoors?

When exercising outdoors, be sure to consider that the terrain is likely not level. This can cause you to lose your footing or injure yourself. Also, be careful to stay hydrated and avoid heatstroke. If you're working out at dawn, dusk, or in the dark, be sure to wear reflective clothing.

The Best Outdoor Workout Gear of 2021

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Hitting the gym isn’t the only way to get a great workout. There are tons of ways to work up a sweat outdoors—and we’re not just talking about running. You could throw on a pair of wearable weights to build strength while you explore your neighborhood. You could plop an outdoor-friendly yoga mat on the grass and log a quick stretch session. You could attach a resistance band to a sturdy tree and do a little strength training. Or you could tackle one of the many other exercises that outdoor fitness equipment makes possible.

Of course, not all fitness equipment is crafted with Mother Nature in mind. So you might not be able to bring your go-to weights outside. But you can rest assured knowing there’s plenty of outdoor fitness equipment on offer.

Here is the best outdoor workout gear on the market.

Our Top Picks

Best Kettlebell:

Techmoo Water-Filled Kettlebell at Amazon

Weighing just 3 pounds on its own, it reaches up to 13 pounds once filled with water to keep your workouts challenging and varied.

Best Wearable Weights:

Bala Bangles at Amazon

Build strength while you go about your daily activities with these wearable weights, which can be worn on your wrists or ankles.

Best Resistance Bands:

Allvodes 12-pc Resistance Bands Set at Amazon

It comes with five resistance bands that mimic the feel of 10- to 50-pound weights, giving you a total of 150 pounds to work with.

Best Resistance Loops:

Peach Bands Fabric Resistance Bands at Amazon

Elevate your lower-body exercises with this set, which can be easily tossed into your bag and paired with other workout tools.

Best TRX:

TRX All-In-One Suspension Training Fitness System at Amazon

Ideal if you're on-the-go, the portable fitness system features five simple pieces that can be used indoors or outdoors.

Best Jump Rope:

DEGOL Skipping Rope with Ball Bearings at Amazon

Adjustable and durable, its handles are crafted from plush memory foam, so they promise to be comfortable to grip.

Best Weighted Vest:

Aduro Sport Adurance Weighted Vest at Amazon

This weighted, sweat-resistant vest can be a convenient way to turn a walk through the park into a strength-training workout.

Best Yoga Mat:

Avoalre Foldable, Anti-Tear Yoga Mat at Amazon

Foldable into a fraction of its size, the portable mat is a solid addition to any stretch or bodyweight routine.

Best Roller Blades:

Papaison Adjustable Inline Skates at Amazon

Explore new spots in your neighborhood or run errands with these roller blades, which are designed to hold up to wear and tear.

Best Power Tower:

Stamina Power Tower at Amazon

Ideal if you have enough space in your yard, it's crafted from sturdy steel and finished with a coat of weather-resistant paint.

In This Article

Our Picks
What to Look For
Why Trust Verywell Fit?

Pros

Portable
Adjustable (3 to 13 pounds)

Cons

Requires a water source

There are tons of free weights you can use outdoors. The only problem? They’re heavy—so they’re not very portable. But Techmoo’s Water-Filled Kettlebell has found a clever way around this common problem. The kettlebell is crafted from PVC, and it weighs just 3 pounds on its own. But if you fill it with water, you can get it up to 13 pounds. (And if you want a weight somewhere between 3 and 13 pounds, you can adjust the amount of water you put in accordingly).

Bring the kettlebell into your backyard any time you want to do a little lifting—just be sure you have a hose on hand to fill it up.

Pros

Portable
Comfortable—wrapped in soft silicone
Durable—made of recycled stainless steel

Cons

Not challenging enough for advanced lifters (only 1 pound apiece)

Bala Bangles make it easy to build strength while you go about your day-to-day activities. So they should make a great addition to any trip outdoors. The wearable weights weigh in at 1-pound apiece.

And since they come in sets of two, you’ll have a total of 2 pounds to play with. Slide the weights over your wrists or slip them onto your ankles, and subtly build strength as you walk around your neighborhood, explore a nearby park, or engage in some booty-building exercises outdoors.

Pros

Lightweight
Durable
Comes with five resistance bands (offering resistance levels between 10 to 50 pounds)

Cons

Lots of pieces to keep up with

Resistance bands make a classic addition to any at-home workout routine. And since they’re lightweight, durable, and versatile, you can easily take them outside. Allvodes’ Resistance Bands Set comes with five resistance bands that will mimic the feel of 10- to 50-pound weights, giving you a total of 150 pounds to work with.

And since the set comes with handles, ankle straps, and more, you’ll have everything you need to tackle a range of dynamic exercises on the go.

Pros

Lightweight
Portable
Easy to clean
Promises intense resistance (10 to 30 pounds)

Cons

Not suited for upper body workouts (not as versatile)

A set of resistance loops can make your favorite lower-body exercises a little tougher. And since they tend to be pretty lightweight (with most sets weighing in under 1 pound), they’re a great piece of equipment to bring with you on the go.

The only downside? Classic latex resistance loops can be a little tedious to clean. But if you snag an easy-to-wash fabric set—like Peach Bands’ Fabric resistance loops—you can avoid this pesky problem and bring your resistance loops with you any time you want to work out outdoors.

This set of three provides resistance from 10 to 30 pounds.

TRX All-in-One Suspension Training Fitness System

Pros

Comes with 35-page workout guide
Portable
A lightweight way to strength-train

Cons

Lots of pieces to keep up with
Needs to be attached to something

TRX’s All-in-One Suspension Training set is one of the most portable fitness systems around. The set is made up of five simple pieces—a TRX trainer, a door anchor, a suspension strap, a travel pouch, and a 35-page workout guide—which you can combine to create a range of diverse workouts.

The door anchor is great for indoor workouts. And when you’re exercising outside, you can simply wrap the suspension strap around a nearby (sturdy) tree to tackle squats, planks, lunges, and more.

Pros

Durable—crafted from steel wire
Adjustable
Comfortable to grip

Cons

Excess rope needs to be cut off

Jumping rope is a classic form of exercise. And since it requires a fair amount of space, it’s a great activity to tackle outside. Of course, you’ll need a durable jump rope to get the job done—and that’s where Degol’s Skipping Rope comes in.

The jump rope is crafted from sturdy steel wire, and it comes encased in smooth, protective PVC. The jump rope’s handles are crafted from plush memory foam, so they promise to be comfortable to grip. And since the jump rope is adjustable, you can customize its length until it suits you just right.

Pros

Comfortable
Hands-free
Available in four different weights (6 to 18 pounds)

Cons

Too bulky to throw in your bag (though you can wear it if you don’t want to carry it)

Ankle and wrist weights aren’t the only wearable weights on offer. Weighted vests—like the Adurance Weighted Vest—can be a convenient way to turn a walk, or run, through the park into a strength-training workout.

Simply snag a vest that’s as heavy as you want it to be—this one comes in 6-, 10-, 14-, and 18-pound options—and strap it on to add some weight to walks, jogs, and runs. The vest promises to be sweat-resistant, comfortable, and breathable. And it even comes with a built-in pocket you can use to store your phone hands-free.

Pros

Large
Lightweight
Foldable
Portable

Cons

Not very thick

If you’re a fan of bodyweight exercises, you know how useful it can be to have a yoga mat on hand. But since yoga mats tend to be pretty bulky—even when they’re tightly rolled up—they’re not an easy thing to toss in your bag.

Enter Avoalre’s Foldable Yoga Mat. When unfolded, it looks like a normal yoga mat. It’s grippy, durable, and about 0.2 inches thick. But you can fold it down to a fraction of its size—9.8 x 12.2 inches—so you can easily toss it in your backpack before you hit the park.

Pros

Adjustable
Available in four sizes (little kid to adult)
Durable

Cons

May run a little small

Looking for a form of exercise you couldn’t tackle in your own home? Try rollerblading. Rollerblading can be a fun way to explore new spots in your neighborhood—and an efficient way to get around in general. And with a little help from a beginner-friendly pair of rollerblades, like Papaison’s Adjustable Inline Skates, you’ll be gliding through the streets in no time.

The skates promise to be both comfortable and durable, and their wheels are designed to hold up to wear and tear. Take them on a quick ride in your neighborhood or on a full-blown skate through the park. Either way, you’re in for a great time.

Pros

Durable—coated with weather-resistant paint
Versatile—features three sets of bars

Cons

Not at all portable

A power tower isn’t the kind of thing you can throw in your car and take to the park. But if you have space for one in your backyard, it can be a great way to level up your outdoor workouts. And since Stamina’s Power Tower was designed with the outdoors in mind, you can rest assured knowing it’ll hold up—even when subjected to the elements.

The power tower is crafted from sturdy steel and finished with a protective coat of weather-resistant paint. And it comes equipped with three sets of bars you can use to tackle pull-ups, tricep dips, push-ups, and more.

Yes4All Battle Exercise Training Rope with Protective Cover

Pros

Durable
Versatile—can be used for strength trining and cardio
Available in five different sizes and weights

Cons

Heavy (16 pounds)

Battle ropes can be a great way to build strength while working up a sweat. And since Yes4All’s Battle Exercise Training Rope is built for long-lasting durability, it’s a great pick to take outdoors. The rope is crafted from braided poly dacron (a popular rope material). And it comes inside a protective nylon sleeve, so you can expose it to dirt, grime, and grass without giving it a second thought.

The rope is 30 feet long, and it weighs 16 pounds. Its extra-long handles promise to be easy to grip—even on humid days.

Pros

Portable
Versatile
A lightweight way to strength-train

Cons

Lots of pieces to keep up with (though they do come in a carrying case)

If you’re a fan of classic strength-training exercises—like squats, deadlifts, and rows—you might have a hard time working out outdoors. After all, barbells, benches, and weight plates don’t tend to be very portable. But the BodyBoss 2.0 Portable Home Gym makes it easy to replicate those weightlifting exercises without using any weights at all.

The set is made up of a pair of resistance bands, a makeshift barbell, a set of ankle straps, a pair of handles, a door anchor, and a portable base—all of which you can combine to replicate your favorite workouts in the great outdoors.

Pros

Lightweight
Portable
Adjustable
Great for cardio

Cons

Requires a fair amount of space for a good workout

Looking to add some cardio to your outdoor workout routine? Try creating a personal obstacle course in a nearby yard or park using GHB Pro’s Agility Ladder. The lightweight ladder is crafted from a combination of nylon and plastic. And since it’s adjustable, you can spread it out to create an obstacle course that’s exactly as long as you want it to be.

Shuffle in and out of the ladder, hop between rungs, or dream up another agility exercise you’ll be excited to tackle every time you head outdoors.

Final Verdict

There's tons of great outdoor workout gear on offer—and any of it would make a great addition to your fitness routine. If you want to add a slight challenge to your day, strap on a pair of Bala 1 Pound Weighted Bangles (view at Amazon). The wearable weights will make strolls through the park a little tougher, helping you build strength in a decidedly convenient way. If you’re craving a more intense workout, try TRX’s All-in-One Bodyweight Resistance System (view at Amazon). The lightweight set will help you strength-train without tons of heavy, bulky weights—giving you the convenience you need to work out anywhere.

What to Look for in Outdoor Workout Gear

Durability

Any piece of equipment you’re bringing outside needs to be hardy enough to handle the wear and tear of the outdoors. So look for durable pieces that are easy to clean. And if you’re shopping for something metal, make sure it’s been finished with a protective, rust-resistant coating before you expose it to the elements.

Portability

If you’re planning to tote your fitness equipment to a nearby park, you need it to be lightweight enough to carry—and small enough to throw in your bag. So prioritize portability where you can. (Of course, if you’re working out in your backyard, this will be less of a concern).

Effectiveness

A piece of fitness equipment isn’t worth much if it doesn’t help you get a great workout. So imagine the kinds of exercises you could complete with a given piece of equipment, and consider whether they’ll fit into your go-to routine.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the benefits of outdoor workouts?

Outdoor workouts are a great way to breathe some fresh air and see some sunshine, all while gaining the physical benefits of exercise.
How do you care for gear that is used outdoors?

Depending on the material of the gear, you can usually wash your gear and equipment after using it outdoors. Also, make sure to remove moisture from your equipment before storing it.
Can you leave workout gear outside?

It is best not to leave gear and equipment outside, if possible. When you are done using it, store it inside or, if needed, in a garage or shed that offers some protection from the elements.
What precautions should you take when exercising outdoors?

When exercising outdoors, be sure to consider that the terrain is likely not level. This can cause you to lose your footing or injure yourself. Also, be careful to stay hydrated and avoid heatstroke. If you're working out at dawn, dusk, or in the dark, be sure to wear reflective clothing.

Why Trust Verywell Fit?

As a seasoned health and fitness writer, Lindsey Lanquist understands how vital quality product recommendations can be. She is careful to recommend products that are reliable, comfortable, and genuinely well-reviewed by those who’ve tried them.

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