Northern Beaches to Southern Highlands: Why I’m Bringing Outdoor Strength Training to Bowral

Summary: After running a boutique strength training studio, I am bringing my evolving personal training approach to Bowral. While completing my Master’s in Clinical Exercise Physiology, I’m shifting my focus to outdoor strength training to leverage the benefits of "Green Exercise."

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From the Coast to the Highlands: My Personal Training Pivot

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Following the closure of my Northern Beaches strength training studio to move overseas (which took an unexpected turn), I’m back to 1-on-1 coaching — now in Bowral.

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As I complete my Master’s degree in Clinical Exercise Physiology, my approach to using strength training for improving Individual's quality of life is evolving. The way exercise functions as medicine fascinates me, and it has encouraged me to pivot back to an outdoor training service which is how I started when I first moved to the Northern Beaches years ago.

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Why Choose Outdoor Training in the Southern Highlands?

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I’ve always enjoyed being outdoors, and during my years in Sydney, I found many clients actually preferred their outdoor sessions over training in a studio.

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Beyond personal preferences, the necessity of combining health behaviours is becoming vital for busy people. You likely already know that being outdoors and exercising are both good for you, but the synergy of combining the two has its own advantages. For example, alongside the obvious benefits of exercise, you're also getting the powerful benefits of being outdoors:

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• Circadian Regulation: Natural light (including the sun) is a major health and fitness enhancer.
• Immune/health Support: Contact with diverse environmental microbes.
• Phytoncides: Breathing in the natural compounds released by trees and plants to boost immunity.

(to name a few)

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But beyond this, there are specific advantages of combining the two in contrast to being in an indoor environment.

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The Science: Why "Green Exercise" Outperforms the Gym (in some areas)

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A recent 2025 study published in Psychology of Sport and Exercise compared exercise in natural environments to built (urban or indoor) environments. There was impressive benefits for exercising in natural environments ('Green Exercise').

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According to this paper (Laezza et al., 2025), exercising in natural environments leads to:

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• Enhanced Stress Recovery: Quicker restoration and stress recovery during exercise .
• Improved Physiological Markers: Improvements in Heart Rate Variability (HRV) and Cortisol levels compared to indoor training.
• Psychological benefits: Greater positive emotions, relaxation, enjoyment and effortlessness.

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In other words, a good place to exercise if you’re seeking quicker recovery, stress reduction, more enjoyment from exercise and ultimately greater adherence to your training routine!

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Start Strength Training in Bowral

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If you aren't fond of the typical gym environment, want a different approach to strength training, or simply want to experience the combined benefits of being outdoors and exercising, send me an email or text.

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I offer 1-on-1 personal training outdoors in Bowral or at your home throughout the Southern Highlands.

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References

1. Laezza, Luca et al. “Evaluating the benefits of green exercise: A randomized controlled trial in natural and built environments assessed for their restorative properties.” Psychology of Sport and Exercise vol. 80 (2025): 102883.

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