Gym activities versus doing stuff outside

I usually go to the gym and do machines for cardio, but today it was so nice out (78 F and sunny, hello Texas!), that I dusted off my roller blades and went skating for 30 minutes.  Do you think this is just as good as the gym?  My legs were burning and felt like jello after, and I keep telling myself the important thing is do something active, but somehow I feel like I cheated. I think its because on a machine, I am constantly moving, but with skating sometimes I would coast. 

Yes.  There is absolutely no reason you have to do cardio at the gym.  Especially when cardio outside is so much more fun!

Machine cardio is a poor substitute for the real thing. They're nice for when snow, rain, hail and tornados keep you from being outside but otherwise, going out and about is probably better for you ;)

gyms are full of vanity too, thus rollar skates r way healthier

Even though there are resistance levels and inclines in the cardio machines, there is something to be said for natural grades and "stuff" outdoors. 

You may feel like you cheated because you enjoyed it.  And we have deeply imbedded beliefs that something isn't healthy if it's pleasurable. 

Indoor cardio machines should be a "last resort" exercise as far as I'm concerned.

It's SO nice to see that other people feel this way.  I'm anti-gym and pro-outdoors.  Gyms are for ridiculously cold days or REALLY bad weather (most rain isn't enough to keep me inside!).

You can easily burn just as much if not more doing outside activities, and hey, you can be working on your natural tan at the same time and start to look even better!! :) 

In addition to outside workouts being more fun, I think they're much better for you.  You breathe fresh air, you're in the sunshine, you meet people ~ it's great! I think the gym workout machines completely over estimate the calories you burn.  I've been on eliptical trainers for an hour and it says I burn 800 calories and I've barely broken a sweat.  I just don't believe it.  Plus it's so boring.  Doing outdoor activities are much harder and better.  Try doing an hour spin class versus riding your bicycle for an hour and compare.  Compare running on a treadmill to running through a park.  Propelling yourself through space is much more difficult and burns more calories.  But the best part is that it's fun, which means you'll do it more and love it!

I love the gym, especially on cold or rainy days, but if it's nice out, I get most of my exercise outside.  Why walk on a treadmill when you can hit a park and walk in the sunshine?  And if I'm enjoying what I'm doing, I'll do it longer.

i think going outside is a lot healthier.....fitness should be about having fun!! when your in the gym i find the focus is more on watching numbers....