There are lots of ways to work up a sweat outdoors. You could use wearable weights to build strength while you explore your neighborhood. You could plop a 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. Of course, not all fitness equipment is crafted with Mother Nature in mind so you’ll want to make sure your equipment is outdoor-friendly.
Look for equipment geared toward your goals and that is durable and weather-proof. We researched outdoor fitness products based on their use and effectiveness, how portable or easy to set up they are, their durability, and affordability.
Reviewed & Approved
Add resistance to your workouts with Bala Bangles Wearable Weights that are soft and durable and come in seven different colors. The portable TRX All-In-One Suspension Trainer is a great choice for a full-body workout on the go.
Here is the best outdoor workout gear on the market.
Techmoo’s Water-Filled Kettlebell ranks highly on our list of outdoor workout equipment because it is portable and adjustable. 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).
Best Kettlebell
Techmoo Water-Filled Kettlebell
Portable
Adjustable (3 to 13 pounds)
Requires a water source
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.
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.
Best Wearable Weights
Bala Bangles
Portable
Comfortable—wrapped in soft silicone
Durable—made of recycled stainless steel
Not challenging enough for advanced lifters (only 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.
Price at time of publication: $55
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.
Best Resistance Loops
Peach Bands Fabric Resistance Bands
Lightweight
Portable
Easy to clean
Promises intense resistance (10 to 30 pounds)
Not suited for upper body workouts (not as versatile)
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.
Price at time of publication: $36
This set of three provides resistance from 10 to 30 pounds.
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.
Best TRX
TRX All-In-One Suspension Training Fitness System
Comes with 35-page workout guide
Portable
A lightweight way to strength-train
Lots of pieces to keep up with
Needs to be attached to something
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.
Price at time of publication: $210 for all-in-one bundle
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.
Best Jump Rope
DEGOL Skipping Rope with Ball Bearings
Durable—crafted from steel wire
Adjustable
Comfortable to grip
Excess rope needs to be cut off
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.
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.
Best Weighted Vest
Aduro Sport Adurance Weighted Vest
Comfortable
Hands-free
Available in four different weights (6 to 18 pounds)
Too bulky to throw in your bag (though you can wear it if you don’t want to carry it)
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.
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.
Best Yoga Mat
Avoalre Foldable, Anti-Tear Yoga Mat
Large
Lightweight
Foldable
Portable
Not very thick
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.
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.
Best Roller Blades
Papaison Adjustable Inline Skates
Adjustable
Available in four sizes (little kid to adult)
Durable
May run a little small
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.
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.
Best Power Tower
Stamina Power Tower
Durable—coated with weather-resistant paint
Versatile—features three sets of bars
Not at all portable
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.
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.
Best Battle Rope
Yes4All Battle Exercise Training Rope with Protective Cover
Durable
Versatile—can be used for strength trining and cardio
Available in five different sizes and weights
Heavy (16 pounds)
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.
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.
Best Portable Home Gym
BodyBoss 2.0 Full Portable Home Gym
Portable
Versatile
A lightweight way to strength-train
Lots of pieces to keep up with (though they do come in a carrying case)
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.
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.
Best Agility Ladder
GHB Pro Agility Ladder
Lightweight
Portable
Adjustable
Great for cardio
Requires a fair amount of space for a good workout
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.
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.
Final Verdict
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.
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.
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.
Outdoor workouts are a great way to breathe some fresh air and see some sunshine, all while gaining the physical benefits of exercise.
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.
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.
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.
