If you want to get outdoors and get in shape, then you’re in the right place. While it’s definitely tempting to lie around in bed, watch television, and generally just do nothing, living a stagnate lifestyle can actually result in you developing some pretty serious health conditions.
You don’t have to spend all of your time outdoors exercising to improve your health, you just have to move around and exercise at least five days a week, for about an hour or so. This post will tell you about eight outdoor activities that you can take up to improve your health:
Kayaking
Kayaking is a great way of working out. When you kayak, you usually just use your arms. If you are looking for a more intense workout but still want to get out on the water, then you could consider investing in a pedal kayak.
According to the kayak experts from WaterSportsWhiz, pedal kayaks work out your legs. In addition to providing a great workout, kayaks can also be a great way to alleviate negative mental health symptoms.
The reason that kayaking can help to treat mental health issues is that it gets you outdoors. If you aren’t an experienced kayaker, then you should consider taking a few classes before getting out there.
Bicycling
Bicycling is another great outdoor exercise. If you are going to go cycling, then make sure that you carefully plan out your route, so that you can avoid main roads.
Cycling on the road can be very dangerous. If you are an amateur cyclist, then cycling along main roads will likely be nerve-wracking.
In addition to carefully planning out your cycling route, you need to try to invest in a high-quality bicycle. If you can’t buy a bicycle brand new, then you can likely find a very good one for sale second-hand on one of the internet’s many eCommerce platforms.
Before buying a bike second-hand, make sure that you go to the seller’s house and check it out so that you can rule out any issues.
Paddleboarding
Paddleboarding is another water sport. It can be performed on lakes, rivers, and the sea. If you are going to take up paddleboarding then you will probably want to take some lessons first. The reason for this is that it requires a lot of skill and balance to be able to successfully paddleboard.
Beginners regularly fall off of their boards and into the water. If you aren’t a strong swimmer, then you should always wear a lifejacket when you are out paddleboarding. A lifejacket will prevent you from drowning.
Trail running
Trail running is extremely good for you because it works out your legs, heart, and lungs.
If you haven’t been running in a long time (or ever before), then you need to start slowly. The worst thing that you can do is overexert yourself because this could either cause an injury or turn you off from running for a while.
Trail running is a lot of fun because, unlike traditional jogging, you aren’t running alongside roads or in public parks. Instead, you are running along hiking trails. If you get tired at any point, you can stop and finish the rest of your route on foot.
Roller skating
Roller skating is a fun, fast-paced sport that can seriously improve your physical and mental health. Out of all of the muscles in your body, roller skating works out your legs the most.
It doesn’t just work out your legs though, it also builds core strength, improves balance, and significantly boosts confidence.
If you are new to roller skating, then it’s a good idea to practice in a rink before you go out on the street. If you don’t have good technique and haven’t got any experience roller skating, then it’s highly likely that you will fall over and hurt yourself.
In addition to extensively practicing before you actually get out there and try it out on the street, make sure that you wear protective equipment. Protective equipment will stop you from seriously injuring yourself if (and when) you fall over.
Hiking
Hiking, like trail running, is another great outdoor exercise. A lot of people claim that hiking isn’t a viable form of exercise, but they are wrong.
Scientific studies have found that walking at a fast pace can be very good for the human body. Hiking is a great exercise for people that don’t like traditional exercise but want to get outdoors and stay in shape.
If you are going to go hiking, then make sure that you carefully map out your routes and factor in any local animals, such as mountain lions or bears.
Horse riding
Horse riding is a fantastic way of getting outdoors and getting fitter. Riding is good exercise, improves core strength, and helps to burn a lot of calories.
In addition to physical benefits, horse riding is also very good for your health. This is because being active and getting outside lifts our mood and reduces stress and anxiety.
If you buy your own horse, then you will also have a new pet to devote your time to. Horse riding is an expensive hobby to take up, but it is a good one. If you have land, then you will be able to buy your own horse and keep it there.
Rock climbing
One last exercise to consider is rock climbing. Rock climbing can be very intense, so you need to practice before you go out and start climbing actual mountains or vertical rock faces.
The best place to practice is in an indoor rock climbing facility. These can be found in more or less all large cities.
If your area has a local climbing group, then you could join them also. They will teach you how to climb, under supervision.
You shouldn’t ever go out rock climbing if you aren’t confident in your abilities, because this could result in you falling and injuring yourself.
If you want to live a long, healthy life, then exercise is crucial. You don’t have to go to a gym to exercise, however. This post’s suggestions will help to transform your health, physically and mentally, with no gym equipment needed.
Author bio
Allen Brown is a keen writer covering topics such as health, travel, beauty and such. He enjoys spending time playing the drums in his past time.
