Get Outside

Keeping along the same lines as my last email about Earthing it seems appropriate to mention outdoor training again since it's practically summer.

The weather is turning and it would be rude to train indoors when the sun's shining, because the sun IS NOT bad for us - far from it in fact! (maybe I'll share my thoughts on that in the next email... join the list by claiming your free gift via the box on the right here >>>)

We wait most of the year for good weather, then go and do stuff indoors when it's sunny!

Take your training outside whenever you can.

Summer is a great time to get outside and mix up your training a bit.

This weekend, I simply took a kettlebell into the garden and did my workout barefoot on the grass, in the sun.

You could do the same.

If you have any gym kit like kettlebells, dumbbells, club bells, medicine balls, resistance bands... you can take them outside and do your workout there.

Not forgetting bodyweight exercises, Animal Flow, Rope Flow etc.

The benefits of sunlight, fresh air and earthing are not to be overlooked, and there's nothing worse than going in the gym for your workout and looking out at the beautiful weather!

Yes, it's important to keep your training up, but unless you have one very specific goal that requires you to train in the gym, and only in the gym, you can mix it up a bit.

Train in the gym when the weather's not so good (there's still plenty of opportunity for this, even in the summer here in the UK), and when the weather's good - get outside and do something different.

You may be able to take your regular workout outside, especially if you go to the gym to walk/run on the treadmill!!

...or do something completely different.

Try some track workouts - running drills, sprints, hill work, bounding, skipping, hopping...

You could either seize the day when the weather's good and change things on the fly, or you could change the focus of your training for the summer months to incorporate more outdoor training and activities.

Your results won't suffer much if you swap a couple of gym workouts for something like climbing, mountain biking, paddle boarding, kayaking, a kick-around with the boys, or even an outdoor fitness class or bootcamp...

Just pick an outdoor sport and do that for a couple of months to increase coordination, reactions and functional movement, and, of course, vitamin D levels :)

Keep up your strength work. 2 workouts a week is enough to maintain strength levels if you're still doing other training too and it gives you a chance to work some conditioning and skills too.

You could even do your strength work outside if you have the kit available - strongman training is exceptional for strength and functional movement and is best suited to outdoors anyway! 

Grab some heavy kettlebells or a sandbag and go for a walk.

So don't skip workouts because it's too nice to go to the gym (it's just an excuse!).

And don't skip the sunshine because you want to do grunt work in the gym.

Combine the two. Train, but do it outdoors.

When it's raining - go to the gym.

(or embrace the elements and get wet!)

Now go outside!

Mark

P.s. Many of the workouts on MoveBetter.Club are suitable to do outside with minimal or zero equipment - if you haven't checked it out yet, go there now and sign up. It could change the way you train forever!

What Are The Benefits Of Earthing (also known as Grounding)

You've probably heard me talk about Earthing (also known as Grounding) before...

But what is it? Why should we do it?

Basically, Earthing is just getting in contact with the Earth.

The same way you need to "Earth" an electrical socket, your body also needs to be Earthed.

As we move around in daily life, we build up a charge, and we need to be in contact with the Earth to dissipate that charge.

The problem is, most people never (ever) come into contact with the Earth.

We walk around in rubber-soled shoes, insulating ourselves from the Earth when we go outside...

and when we're inside, we might take our shoes off, but again, we're insulated with floor coverings - we're not actually in contact with the Earth.

The issue this causes is that that charge that builds up in our bodies promotes inflammation, and inflammation is the root cause of just about every illness we suffer!

I wanted to highlight a few key benefits of earthing that have been reported by proponents of this practice:

1. Reduced Inflammation: Grounding has been shown to have anti-inflammatory effects on the body. Studies have suggested that direct contact with the Earth's electrons can help neutralize free radicals and decrease inflammation, leading to improved pain management and enhanced recovery.

2. Improved Sleep: Many individuals have reported better sleep quality and reduced insomnia after incorporating earthing into their routine. The grounding process is believed to regulate cortisol levels, synchronize our circadian rhythm, and promote a sense of calm, ultimately leading to a more restful and rejuvenating sleep.

3. Enhanced Stress Reduction: In our fast-paced modern lives, stress has become an all too common companion. Earthing offers a natural and effective way to counteract the negative effects of stress on our bodies. By grounding ourselves, we can restore balance to our autonomic nervous system, reduce cortisol levels, and experience a greater sense of calm and relaxation.

4. Boosted Immune System: The Earth's electrons have been found to possess antioxidant properties, which can help neutralize harmful free radicals in our bodies. By bolstering our antioxidant defenses, earthing may support our immune system's ability to combat illnesses and promote overall health.

While the concept of earthing may sound unconventional and a bit hippy, many people have reported experiencing positive results from incorporating this practice into their lives. 

Whilst the scientific research on earthing is still evolving, and further studies are needed to fully understand its mechanisms and validate these claims, I truly believe that it's something everyone should be doing.

It's zero cost and can't do any harm - so why wouldn't you try it?!

If you are curious to explore earthing further, I encourage you to try incorporating it into your daily routine. 

Simply find a patch of grass, soil, or sand, kick off your shoes, and spend a few minutes connecting with the Earth. Observe any changes in how you feel and keep an open mind.

Take your shoes (and socks) off at any opportunity you have and get in contact with the ground. Just do it safely, obviously!

You could even hug a tree! 🤗🌳🤣

When I walk the dogs, there's a long stretch of grass that I know is safe to walk barefoot on, so I always do, and keep this going right up to the point it gets too cold in the winter.

I also like to paddle in the river. Water is a GREAT way to get earthed!

If you want to learn more about it I highly recommend that you read (or listen to) the book Earthing. It's a real eye-opener!

And if you want to take it to the next level (remember, we want to be grounded for as much of the day as possible), I'd recommend investing in an Earthing Bedsheet

If you can sleep grounded, that's a good 8 hours of your day covered, and it can also help you sleep better.

I've been sleeping grounded for years now! My last sheet actually fell apart because we'd slept on it almost every day for about 5 years! (So while it may seem a bit pricey for a bedsheet - it's worth it!). We only took it off to wash it, then it was straight back on again.

And while it may be difficult to tell if it makes a difference because it's a bit subjective, I truly believe it does (if you read the book - you will too) and I hate when we go away and don't have the sheet!

The final 2 things that I do personally to try and stay grounded as much as possible is to use a Grounding Mat when I'm working at the computer - you can either put it under your keyboard so your arms are touching it, or on the floor and have your (bare) feet on it.

And a grounding wrist band/anti-static wrist band when I'm sitting watching TV of an evening. You just plug it into the wall socket (don't worry, only the earthing pin is connected, not the live wires! ⚡)

Again, this may sound a bit crazy, and I've had to explain myself to guests (and my parents who think I'm mental) many times, but who cares what other people think - I'd rather try and convert them and have them benefit from it than try to hide it because of what they might think.

So, just try it.

I'd highly encourage you to read into it further, because the more you know and the more convinced of it you are, the more likely you are to do it and benefit from it.

We'll address the biomechanics benefits of being barefoot another time (probably should have started there as it's less hippy and easier for many to buy into, but hey ho!).

Mark