Outdoor Exercise vs. Indoor Exercises to Keep Fit | FITS®

April 15, 2022

When the weather outside is anything but pleasant, many people choose to take their workouts indoors. While you certainly won’t enjoy the same scenery on a treadmill as you would if you were hitting the pavement, you can still manage to get just as good of a workout. But how do you know when to bundle up and hit the open road, or play it safe and stay inside? Is there a difference between indoor exercise vs. outdoor exercise?

The answer: yes and no.

Let’s take a look at the benefits and downsides of indoor exercise vs. outdoor exercise to answer this question once and for all, and to help you determine which environment is right for you based on your goals.

What To Know About Indoor Exercise vs. Outdoor Exercise

Exercising Outdoors: The Upsides

It’s no secret that spending time in the fresh air can improve mood and reduce stress, but did you know that exercising outside (yes, even the cold) can also improve memory and attention? Not to mention, it’s an effortless way to soak up the vitamin D essential for bone and immune support.

Some runners report being more motivated to run outside when they can see the distance they cover. Plus, varied terrain can be beneficial to developing physical and psychological endurance, which are equally important when handling challenging conditions or setbacks during a race.

The upsides of exercising outdoors can be monetarily beneficial too, since exercising outdoors is almost always free of any extra cost that you might incur at a gym or fitness boutique. That also means more room in your budget for new running socks for men or women, nicer running shoes, and better gear. Score!

Exercising Outdoors: The Downsides

We know what advantages exercise outdoors offer, but what about the downsides? Weather can be an unexpected hazard to fitting your workout in—whether we’re talking about extreme temperatures, precipitation, or icy sidewalks. There may also be additional safety concerns to consider depending on the area where you’re exercising and whether or not you have a buddy with you. It’s also worth noting that air quality can impact the quality of your workout, but that also largely depends on where you’re located.

Exercising Indoors: The Upsides

Taking your workout inside gives you a lot more control over the elements, whether it’s in your living room or at a gym. Another advantage of indoor exercise vs. outdoor exercise is the element of social motivation, which might even help you push yourself that extra mile and establish accountability.

Indoor workouts can also have a lot more variety due to the availability of equipment and classes. Whether streaming or in person, indoor exercise programs often offer more flexibility that better fits your schedule, especially if you can’t get your workout in during daylight hours, or you’re an early bird who likes to get your workout in before the sun is up.

Exercising Indoors: The Downsides

The first obvious downside to indoor exercise is the absence of fresh air and sunshine. Depending on your situation and preferred form of fitness, finding a place to workout indoors can also be costly. If you choose to exercise at home, you may also be more prone to interruption from others, or feel a greater urge to cut your workout short.

While there is no right or wrong answer to how you workout, finding the best option for you is crucial if you want to build a healthier new routine, or train for a specific goal. But here’s the good news: you don’t have to pick just one! You can reap the benefits and avoid the downsides to both by mixing it up. Now that’s a win-win.

Train Confidently From Anywhere with FITS

Whether you’re tackling your next workout indoors or out, gearing up in the right exercise clothing will help make your fitness routine even more enjoyable. At FITS, we make it simple to find the right running socks for women and men of all fitness levels can count on to keep pace no matter where their workout takes place. 


Visit FITS today to learn more about how FITS sock technology helps you train harder, faster, for longer in any condition, and to find the perfect pair of men's and women’s athletic socks for every adventure.


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Sock Sizing
women and men size chart

The Perfect Fit Starts With the Right Size.

Your sock size shouldn’t be a guessing game. Our socks range from small to double XL, but the best way to know the perfect fit for you is to match your shoe size to the chart on the left. That way, you’ll know the size you select will give you the fit and feel you expect.

Between sizes? Go with your gut, but rest assured that your socks will still fit great. If you receive your order and find yourself wishing you’d gone up or down a size, just let us know. We’ll happily send you replacements for your preferred size.

Concerned about laundry mix-ups? All FITS® socks are coordinated by color and size, based on the colors you see on the size chart. So, you won’t have to worry about mixing up your sizes with the other FITS® wearers in your home. (But stray socks mysteriously going missing in the dryer? Unfortunately, we can’t help with that.)

 

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How Do You Determine Sock Size?

Sock sizes are typically measured in inches, not by your shoe size. So, a sock size 6-8 will comfortably fit someone whose feet are between six and eight inches long. However, at FITS®, we make it easy for you to choose the ideal sock size without having to measure your foot. Simply use our sock size conversion chart based on your shoe size to select the right fit for you. 

How Do You Measure Your Foot for Socks?

To measure your foot for socks, measure the length from the heel of your foot to the tip of your longest toe. The measurement in inches correlates to your sock size. For example, if your foot is 10 inches long, a sock size 9-11 should fit you comfortably. At FITS®, you can skip this step and find your sock size based on your shoe size using our conversion chart. 

What Is the Sock Size Conversion?

The sock size conversion refers to sock size compared to shoe size. While all companies may vary slightly on which size socks to purchase based on your shoe size, you can always measure your foot to find the right fit for you. 

What is Sock Size to Shoe Size?

Because sock sizes are determined by the length of your foot in inches vs. your shoe size, shoe and sock sizes differ. The FITS® sock size to shoe size conversion is as follows:

Knowing this makes it easy to choose the ideal sock size based on your shoe size without measuring your foot. 

What Age is Sock Size 9-12?

Sock sizes typically don’t correlate with age. For kids, age can be a general indicator of what size sock they’ll need, but everyone is different. An adult sock size 9-12 fits anyone whose feet are approximately nine to twelve inches long. For kids’ sock sizing, check with the company to find exact details to ensure your little one gets the perfect fit. 

Got more questions about finding the perfect sock size for you? Let’s talk.

 

 

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