If you’ve been grinding away inside for the past few months, you may be itching to change things up. Luckily, warmer weather means more ways to train—whether it’s dragging a sled across the turf, hitting a weighted vest run, or moving some of your sets outdoors.
But transitioning outside doesn’t mean ditching the strength work that got you here. It’s about using the change in season to push yourself harder, mix up your routine, and make changes that ultimately help you build strength. Here’s how to make the switch without losing the progress you’ve worked so hard for.
If you’ve been crushing your strength routine indoors, there’s no reason to back off now. The one thing you don’t want to do is to start slacking on the exercises that have gotten you as far as you are.
Take your dumbbells outside and stick to your usual workout or even bring your barbell and bench if it's portable enough. This is especially convenient if you have a garage gym where your equipment is only a few feet from your outdoor space.
If stairs are involved or you don’t have a large flat area, consider equipment like resistance bands, adjustable dumbbells, or an adjustable kettlebell to make moving your stuff a little easier.
Why choose one when you can have both? The key to keeping a balanced routine during warmer weather is knowing when to hit the gym and when to take it outside.
If your gym setup isn’t portable, no worries—bodyweight exercises like push-ups, pull-ups, lunges, and squats are perfect for outdoor training and build the muscular endurance needed in any strength program. Stick to your heavy lifting routine inside, then head outside for a quick bodyweight circuit or even a sprint session.
This combination not only breaks the monotony but also gives you the flexibility to train in different environments while keeping your strength gains intact. Keep a log for your bodyweight exercises, noting reps, sets, and perceived difficulty–and track how these movements support your indoor lifting progress over time.
You don’t need a full-on outdoor gym to get the job done. A sturdy bench, kettlebells, dumbbells, or resistance bands are all you need to create a killer outdoor strength zone. Kettlebells and dumbbells are great for exercises that target major muscle groups, while resistance bands can improve mobility and work muscles in a different way than traditional weights.
When selecting equipment that will live outdoors, choose materials that can withstand your climate, like powder-coated and rust-resistant metals. Also consider installing a patio cover or canopy for extra rain protection and shade on sunny days. If your area gets a lot of rain, think about elevating your equipment on a raised platform to prevent water from pooling underneath and causing rust.
Add a weatherproof storage bin for bands and dumbbells and consider weatherproof covers for your bench and mats. Throw this setup in your backyard or driveway and you’re good to go.
Strength doesn’t just come from lifting heavy. Functional strength exercises do wonders for endurance and functional power and are easy to transition to outdoor areas. Functional strength is what gets you through life’s daily tasks and can be built with activities like swimming, jump rope, plyo jumps, sled pushes/pulls, rock climbing, sandbag training ... the list goes on.
These exercises mimic real-world movement and build strength in a way that transfers directly to lifting performance. For example, carrying a heavy sandbag helps develop the core stability and grip strength needed for deadlifts. And sled pushes are a great way to engage your quads and hamstrings, increasing your squat performance.
Adding cardio into the mix is another great way to improve overall endurance and should be a part of any well-rounded fitness routine, but it can also enhance your strength training. Outdoor activities like sprinting, cycling, hiking, trail running, or even a brisk walk all help you recover between lifting sessions and increase stamina, which can translate to handling heavier lifts in your indoor workouts.
Strap on a weight vest or rucksack to really challenge yourself during cardio exercises. Or mix in high-intensity interval training (HIIT), doing short, powerful bursts of activity like sprints or hill climbs, then take it inside to work your legs with squats and deadlifts.
Tailor your outdoor conditioning to your specific strength goals. If you’re training for powerlifting, focus on low-impact activities like cycling or brisk walking if you want to avoid fatiguing your legs. On the other hand, if your goal is to increase conditioning for bodybuilding, add HIIT-style sprints or trail runs to enhance metabolic conditioning.
The addition of conditioning, especially high-intensity interval training (HIIT), strengthens your muscles and helps burn fat, keeping your body lean while you continue to pack on muscle.
The weather won’t always be perfect, so you’ll want to have a backup plan for rainy or unbearably hot days that make it tempting to skip your workout. Having a solid indoor fallback routine will help you stay on track until you can get back outside. But working out outdoors is a great way to mix things up and push your limits while enjoying the fresh air. Whether you’re looking for indoor or outdoor fitness equipment, Titan Fitness has top quality fitness gear for any home gym, indoor or outdoor plus free shipping on every order!
