That's Fit

Many people living in cold-climate regions of the country look to the warmer months as the perfect time to make a great escape from the gym. No longer must they stare at a television, unable to hear it over the whirring sound of a fleet of treadmills, hoping to dear God that someone will at least put on the ball game. Instead, they can take in the scenery and relaxing sounds of nature as they make their way through the great outdoors.

Aesthetics and mood-enhancing soundscapes aside, the greatest benefit of all may be the extra fat-burning boost you get from working out outside. A study published in the journal Obesity showed that men who exercised in direct sunlight lost 20 percent more body fat than indoor warriors. While several factors play a role in this fat-burning disparity, researchers posit that one reason in particular is the increase of appetite-suppressing leptin that is produced during a sun run.

Take extra caution when exercising outdoors, however. Be sure to apply sunscreen before heading out and stick to a familiar route when hiking trails.