Great coaching programs aren’t confined to gym walls. The environment where you train can profoundly affect your physical and mental well‑being.

Nature’s boost to health and cognition

Stress reduction with nature exposure. Spending just 20 minutes per day in a natural environment decreases stress and improves cognitive function, blood pressure, mental health and sleep. In contrast, chronic stress is linked to anxiety, depression, heart disease and obesity.

Nature versus indoor exercise. A systematic review comparing physical activity in natural and urban environments found that natural settings significantly reduce anxiety, anger and fatigue and increase positive affect and vigour. Even a 15‑minute walk outdoors can enhance attention and working memory, as measured by increased P300 amplitude on electroencephalography tests. Indoor exercise did not show such improvements.

Access to parks and health outcomes. In cities where nearly all residents live within a 10‑minute walk of a park (e.g. London), physical activity levels are higher and rates of chronic diseases like diabetes and high blood pressure are lower. Lack of access to green spaces is associated with poorer health outcomes.

Practical ways to leverage the environment

Outdoor sessions. Incorporate walks, especially some AM sunshine, runs, yoga or circuit training in parks or park runs. Even short, frequent sessions in green spaces can boost mood and cognition.

Active transportation. Walking or cycling to work or meetings when possible. Combining transportation with light exercise integrates movement into busy schedules and is an easy way to increase daily calorie burn.

Indoor–outdoor balance. While outdoor training offers unique benefits, structured strength sessions in the gym are still essential for building muscle and power. A balanced program alternates between indoor and outdoor environments for diversity and holistic health.