Summer and fall are the best times to seek out some scenery and enjoy outdoor activities. You don’t need much preparation and it’s easy to adjust to your personal fitness level. Make a plan, pick a park or preserve, and enjoy this simple and well-rounded exercise choice.
Lots of Muscle Groups: Walking and hiking trails vary a great deal from flat road. All of the twists, turns, rocks, and braches force us to step, lunge, and balance in dozens of different combinations. This means that ankle, hip, and trunk muscles (core) are firing up in ways they usually don’t get to. Marching up steep trails forces more hip flexion and glute work. Controlling downhill motion is a huge test for our hamstrings and strengthens their deceleration capacity.
Brain Power: Hiking delivers a powerful brain boosting combination in the form of cardiovascular exercise and strategic planning. It gets the heart rate up while requiring an awareness of where you are stepping, how fast you are going, and what direction you are travelling in. This combination has proven to be the best for increasing memory and building new brain cells.
Nature: Studies show that spending time in nature can greatly reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression. In addition, people who exercise outdoors are more likely to maintain a regular exercise program. In today’s fast paced, technology driven world, it’s nice to unplug and get some fresh air. Do some research and pick a park that has some great scenery, there’s a lot to enjoy.
