Her Active Life

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Slow it down, take a hike!

Posted July 18, 2007 at 12:00 PM by Jessica Galvano

Section: Her Adventure, Her Fitness, Athletics, Her Health, Her Motivation

Life goes by fast.

Sixty miles per hour to the office. Seven miles per hour on the treadmill. Forty-five in a thirty-five to make practice on time. And all after eight cups of coffee.
The jittery, anxiety-inducing schedule of espressos and non-stop “to dos” has, for many, become an accepted inevitability. In a fast-paced society, the natural tendency is to meet the demands of high speeds by downing Red Bull, exceeding speed limits, and attempting to function on a paltry five hours of sleep.

While it may be nearly impossible to control the speed of your work environment, maintaining a relaxed and enjoyable exercise regimen is entirely within reach. Instead of stepping on the treadmill for your usual run, try a hike instead. The texture of an actual trail is, not surprisingly, preferable to a synthetic treadmill and the scenery certainly has more appeal than the cold, gray concrete of the gym.

The transition from indoor to outdoor exercise presents a few, very manageable obstacles. Many loyal gym-rats perceive the planning necessary for a hike as an inconvenience. The possibility of inclement weather and unfamiliar routes prove deterrents for many active Americans; these issues, however, have simple solutions and oftentimes even pertain to indoor activity. While hiking requires checking the weather forecast beforehand, this takes mere minutes and is something many gym-goers already incorporate into their daily routine.

One excuse gone.

Uncertain terrain does, admittedly, pose a real reason to hesitate prior to embarking on any hike. Even experienced hikers will no doubt advise that one has a familiarity with the trails before setting out; however, many established hiking areas, including preservations and parks, provide clear markings along the trails and supply detailed maps to ensure that hikers keep to frequently trodden, foot-safe trails.

Resources like localhikes.com have even made it possible to find a pre-rated, nearby route that meets your desired difficulty, duration, and mileage before leaving home. With the extensive availability of hiker-friendly recreational areas, the trail you select may even be more accessible than the gym.

Two excuses gone.

The biggest obstacle returns to the preoccupation with speed. Many worry that hiking will not offer the same benefits of their former higher intensity workouts. Though it’s true that a hike lacks the fast-paced allure of running or biking, for instance, it’s equally true that the physically demanding terrain compensates for the absence of high velocity. Your body may not be moving as quickly, but it expends an extraordinary amount of energy to maintain balance on uneven ground. Physical demands of the ascent aside, the bodily requirements of stability alone engage muscles that are uninvolved in many other activities.

To further intensify a hike, trekking poles present a way to work the upper body. By adding an upper body element, hiking can become a cardiovascular workout that bears closer resemblance to jogging than walking; a likeness not only in form, but in function as well. Because arm involvement creates a near-jogging form, the benefits of hiking rival those of running but without the high impact consequences to your joints. While a typical hiker burns approximately 370 calories per hour of activity, use of a trekking pole often increases caloric expenditure by anywhere from 20 to 45 percent.

No excuses left.

After expelling the false deterrents of hiking, all that remains are the advantages. The health benefits are obvious: hiking lowers cholesterol, prevents osteoporosis, and relieves stress. Equally alluring is the inclusive nature of hiking, which encourages families to partake in exercise together. With family time in short supply, hikes are a sure guarantee of at least one hour of quality bonding—something to consider, especially for parents to unforthcoming teens. Keep the map in your hands and they will hesitate to leave your side. 

For a life of approaching deadlines, too-little sleep, and general hurriedness, lose the coffee and take a hike. 

Sources:
Nubella.com: A Super Fitness Idea: Hiking
Nubella.com: Hiking: Taking Steps in the Right Direction
www.localhikes.com

Photo: ©istockphoto.com/Richard Mirro

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Tags: cardiovascular exercise, exercise, family activities, hiking, hiking trails, localhikes.com, nubella, outdoor exercise, running, stress, stress relief, terrain, trails, treadmill, trekking poles, walking

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