Many people are discovering the many health benefits of hiking. For one, it is extremely good exercise. Even if you are not an endurance athlete, hiking is a great cardio workout.
It is challenging for the mind and body and can actually improve one’s mood. Another benefit is that it is very accessible, so people of any age or fitness level can enjoy it.
Hiking Mountains For Beginners (UK, USA, Asia)
- Pen y Fan, Brecon Beacons (UK)
- Lassen Peak Trail Hike, Lassen Volcanic National Park, California (USA)
- Coastal Trail Hike, Cutler, Maine (USA)
- Frozen Niagara Cave Hike, Mammoth Cave National Park,Kentucky (USA)
- Mount Batur, Indonesia (Asia)
- Doi Pha Tang, Thailand (Asia)
- Mount Kulen, Cambodia (Asia)
Obviously, this is a very brief list of examples but i just wanted to give you an idea of how accessible the world of hiking is all over the world! Be sure to leave your Mountain Climbing recommendations for beginners in the comments.
Hiking is not only enjoyable, but it is also great for the whole health. After all, being outdoors in nature is extremely beneficial for the mind and body.
Let us take a deeper dive into what we mean by that. Aside from sticking to proper healthy eating, another good way to keep fit and stay in good health is to walk. In fact, walking is probably more accessible than any other exercise out there.
Besides all of the physical health benefits, there are also mental benefits. A recent study has been conducted in relation to hiking and depression. The study specifically looked at women who hike and those who do not on a daily basis. What they found was that those who hike were less likely to have serious, overall health problems, including heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, and diabetes.
The reason behind this is simple. When you exercise, you increase your heart rate, which in turn increases your metabolism. This increased energy allows you to walk, jog, swim, dance, or do almost anything else that requires vigorous exercise.
When you get out of the gym, your body needs time to recover. As such, you are less apt to have muscle soreness after a nice long walk through the park.
As far as overall health goes, you will feel good from doing cardiovascular exercise. Hiking is a good activity for this. You will also be building muscle mass. A lot of people who hike also add some weight, probably as a result of their daily exercise regimen. Weighted vests are a great addition to your hike.
Those who are looking to control their blood pressure can use hiking as an exercise as well. One study comparing workout hiking with walking found that participants who did both had similar decreases in blood pressure. Of course, it could only be concluded that the blood pressure lowered because participants were actually working out. Walking is a great way to keep your weight in check too, which is great for anyone who is trying to lose weight.
Finally, if you are trying to lose weight, regular activity can improve your diet. Studies have shown that hiking is a great way for people to lose weight. It does this by improving fitness and helping you to eat less. It also helps to improve your mood. This is due to the endorphins that you experience during and after exercising.
In addition to all of these great health benefits of hiking, another benefit is increased mental fitness. Most hikers reach a state of euphoria as they complete their journey. For some, this is called the runner’s high. It is similar to being at home, except that you are out on the trail, which provides a higher level of challenge. If you are an athlete, you will know how difficult it is to maintain endurance and focus while you are running.
By doing some hiking regularly, you will find that it provides a wonderful way to improve your concentration and reduce the risk of suffering from the same conditions, such as anxiety or depression.
Many people decide to start a hiking adventure because they enjoy the outdoors, the fresh air and the social aspect of getting out into nature. Some even prefer to do it alone and just do a leisurely walk around the local park.
Others like the social aspect of clubbing it with others who share the same interest in the hobby. However, if you are interested in increasing your exercise routine, then hiking may be perfect for the new hiker. The great thing about hiking is that it allows you to burn calories, build strength and improve cardiovascular fitness.
The best time to do this type of exercise is in the spring and autumn when the weather is warm and people are more likely to be outdoors. During the winter, it can be really cold outside, so walking in the snow is not a good idea. You also want to be sure to have the appropriate hiking shoes or boots, as this is very important.
Hiking is a good alternative to other forms of exercise such as aerobics or running because it is not as stressful on the body and does not require a tremendous amount of time and effort on your part.
There are many people who enjoy hiking and find it a great way to stay in shape. The great thing about hiking is that you can do this no matter what your fitness level is. It is not as intense as some other types of exercise, so you will not have to completely overhaul your diet and lifestyle.
You can still achieve the same results as you would from walking on a treadmill or cycling, so if you are someone who wants to increase your exercise routine and burn calories, then hiking is the way to go.
Whether you go on a one-day trip, or several weeks or months, you will be amazed at how much you lose weight, get stronger and improve your cardiovascular fitness while improving your mental well-being and general outlook on life.
