If you are looking for a fun way to meet your daily or weekly exercise goals, get some fresh air and be more in touch with nature, you should consider taking up one or more of these outdoor activities. You can start hiking, biking, kayaking, canoeing, stand up paddleboarding or running without having to spend a fortune, take loads of lessons, or waste hours of your week bored shut away in a gymnasium. These activities provide you with the cardio and strength-building you need to keep fit while also ensuring that you get out in the open air, see the sun, and feel closer to the natural world. It’s truly a win-win.
Hiking or Power Walking
You do not have to be scaling mountains, running for miles, or using any expensive equipment to be exercising. All you need is a comfy pair of walking shoes or hiking boots, and a bag to hold your water bottle. This easy and affordable activity is a great way to keep fit, enjoy the outdoors, and clear your mind.
Having a brisk walk in a forest, up a hill, along a beach, or even through your local town, is valid and very beneficial exercise. The simple exercise of power walking will tone your glutes, upper back and shoulders, as well as the muscles toned by regular walking, the calf muscles, hamstrings and hip abductors. Remember to pump your arms, engage your core, and walk briskly for the best results.
Biking
Whether you prefer to have adventurous and high-intensity mountain biking excursions, busy and practical bike rides to work or tranquil countryside cycles, this is a great way to get in your daily cardio, have a whole body workout and take in some fresh air. While you will need to purchase the bike, helmet, cycling clothes and any other necessary accessories, such as a GPS or headlight if you are going for the more adventurous cycling options, once you have purchased these items if they are good quality they will last a long time.
Biking is a liberating and exciting activity. You can explore the surrounding countryside, take your bike in the car and get to know other parts of the country, and feel the thrill of the wind rushing past you as you build up speed.
Kayaking and Canoeing
Kayaking and canoeing are brilliant activities for getting toned, burning fat, and exercising particularly your shoulders, arms and back. These activities are particularly good as they do not feel like an intense workout, such as boring and repetitive gym sessions. Instead, you can enjoy the scenery, socialize, go fishing, have a picnic and explore the river, lake, bay, or sea to your heart’s content – all the while using up calories and keeping fit.
You can go on kayaking or canoeing trips solo or with a partner, friends or family. These boats offer single-seat and tandem options. If you want to take people with you, the tranquility of paddling on a lake provides a great opportunity to talk, bring a lunch, and explore the surrounding nature together.
Stand Up Paddle Boarding
Like kayaking and canoeing, stand up paddleboarding is a great way to keep fit while not over-exerting yourself. This activity provides an all-body workout, as your legs and core are vital for keeping your balance, and your arms, shoulders and back are engaged for paddling.
For a more intense all-body workout, you can join stand up paddleboarding yoga classes and feel the muscles in your feet, legs, core and arms work overtime to keep you balanced on the board while reaching for a downward dog.
If these water sports appeal to you, the next step is to do your research into which boats or boards you should invest in. You can find a lot of useful information at www.watersportswhiz.com such as product reviews, tips and tricks, and how-to guides. Whether you are a beginner or you have experience in these activities, it is quick and easy to get going and you will only require a quick lesson in boat or board management before you can get started on your adventures.
Running
If you prefer not to have to use any equipment, like boats, boards, paddles and bikes, and cannot devote a whole afternoon to your exercise regime, a great alternative is going for a run. Even just twenty to thirty minutes of light jogging is an excellent way to burn fat, keep your heart healthy, and clear your mind. Running will use a lot of the same muscles as brisk walking does, but has the added benefit of burning more calories in a shorter time. This is a great outdoor activity for busy people who need to carve out a bit of time in the day to clear their minds, get their daily cardio, and enjoy the fresh air.
Don’t Delay, Start Today!
Now that you have been inspired to up your exercise game and spend more time in the great outdoors, you should decide which activity suits your needs, lifestyle and routine. Whether you choose to take up hiking and enjoy the perks that go with it, such as photography and bird watching opportunities, or biking, for the faster, more intense thrill, you should find that these activities have a very positive impact on your state of mind as well as your physical fitness.
If water sports are more your speed, you cannot beat kayaking, canoeing and stand up paddleboarding. These activities not only tone your muscles and test your endurance, but they also provide excellent opportunities to take up fishing, yoga, or swimming, and offer a range of social benefits on top of that.
Finally, if you are looking for a fitness activity you can do without traveling or taking up too much of your day while spending no money and involving no equipment beyond a good pair of shoes and a strong sports bra, running is the activity for you. Whatever outdoor activity you go for, you can and should make that first step today and begin your fitness journey. Good luck and don’t forget to have fun!