For outdoor folks, there's nothing like a weekend of camping to rejuvenate the soul. A time to disconnect from the day to day hustle and bustle, camping is a relaxing getaway for some. But for those looking for a more active weekend getaway, camping can be a great opportunity to get fit in Mother Nature's World Gym. Between swimming, hiking, and even the fresh air - camping can be extremely beneficial for your health. Check out our tips for camping your way to fitness below. Plus, check out a few highlights from our recent coastal Georgia camping getaway on Jekyll Island. If you find any of the tips helpful, be sure to LIKE or SHARE on Facebook or Twitter! Then head off your next outdoor adventure. :)
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1) Walking/Running
Both walking and running produce endorphins, brain chemicals that make you feel happy and confident. And a regular running or walking program lowers your risk of life-threatening maladies such as heart disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes. Among the benefits of walking, it's a low-impact exercise that produces less stress on the knees and joints than many other activities do. And running burns more calories in less time than almost any other continuous exercise. Plus, both are social activities - perfect for your next camping trip.
2) Hiking
Hiking has a number of health and fitness benefits. Fortunately, many campsites offer a number of hiking trails to explore. Hiking can help to improve cardio-respiratory fitness including heart, lungs and blood vessels; muscle strength; bone density (or slow its loss); sleep quality and weight control. On average hiking burns up about 250 calories an hour — and people who lose weight through hiking or walking generally maintain that loss and continue to lose, while those who depend on diets tend to gain weight back. As if that wasn't enough to get anyone out on the trail, hiking also helps to reduce your risks for heart disease and stroke; high blood pressure or Type 2 diabetes; high cholesterol and triglycerides; colon, breast, lung and endometrial cancers; depression; negative effects of osteoporosis and arthritis; and tension and anxiety.
3) Biking
Another great things about camping is that you can bring your bike along to enjoy the sights while getting a workout. Don't own a bike? Many campgrounds offer bicycle rentals. And the best part, bike riding strengthens your thighs, hips and rear end. If your route includes climbing hills, your arms and upper body will benefit as you stand to pedal. And, cycling is gentle on your joints and helps preserve cartilage. That's especially beneficial for those who suffer from muscle strain, foot problems, knee troubles, back pain or impact-related injuries. While bicycle riding is both fun and great for your health, just be sure to take some precautions to make each ride as safe as possible. Wear a helmet, be visible and obey traffic rules for a fun and safe ride.
4) Swimming
Swimming is a great recreational activity for people of all ages that provides a great low-impact workout since you need to move your whole body against the resistance of the water. As low-impact workout, swimming keeps your heart rate up, but takes some of the impact stress off your body - which makes it a great workout for low-impact therapy for some injuries and conditions. Swimming also builds endurance, muscle strength and cardiovascular fitness; helps maintain a healthy weight, healthy heart and lungs; tones muscles and builds strength; and provides an all-over body workout, as nearly all of your muscles are used during swimming. Also, swimming can help to alleviate stress; improve, coordination, balance and posture; and improve flexibility. And the great thing is that when the season allows, swimming is available in many campgrounds. Just make sure that the environment you choose to swim in is safe.
5) Outdoor Games
Break out your camping games and play some Frisbee, badminton, volleyball or maybe just toss a football around. Most camping locations will have areas with lots of open space perfect for these types of activities - and perfect for soaking up a little sun. While unprotected overexposure to the sun’s ultraviolet rays can increase your risk of skin cancer, we shouldn’t overlook the many benefits of sunlight. When the sun hits our skin, it creates vitamin D3, important to bone health and metabolic function. In addition, exposure to sunlight during the day can help you sleep better at night, improve immune function and increase endorphin production — those feel-good hormones circulating throughout your body. Plus, regularoutdoor activity provides a number of physical health benefits, including lower blood pressure, reduced arthritis pain, weight loss and lowered risk of diabetes, certain cancers, osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease.
Both walking and running produce endorphins, brain chemicals that make you feel happy and confident. And a regular running or walking program lowers your risk of life-threatening maladies such as heart disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes. Among the benefits of walking, it's a low-impact exercise that produces less stress on the knees and joints than many other activities do. And running burns more calories in less time than almost any other continuous exercise. Plus, both are social activities - perfect for your next camping trip.
2) Hiking
Hiking has a number of health and fitness benefits. Fortunately, many campsites offer a number of hiking trails to explore. Hiking can help to improve cardio-respiratory fitness including heart, lungs and blood vessels; muscle strength; bone density (or slow its loss); sleep quality and weight control. On average hiking burns up about 250 calories an hour — and people who lose weight through hiking or walking generally maintain that loss and continue to lose, while those who depend on diets tend to gain weight back. As if that wasn't enough to get anyone out on the trail, hiking also helps to reduce your risks for heart disease and stroke; high blood pressure or Type 2 diabetes; high cholesterol and triglycerides; colon, breast, lung and endometrial cancers; depression; negative effects of osteoporosis and arthritis; and tension and anxiety.
3) Biking
Another great things about camping is that you can bring your bike along to enjoy the sights while getting a workout. Don't own a bike? Many campgrounds offer bicycle rentals. And the best part, bike riding strengthens your thighs, hips and rear end. If your route includes climbing hills, your arms and upper body will benefit as you stand to pedal. And, cycling is gentle on your joints and helps preserve cartilage. That's especially beneficial for those who suffer from muscle strain, foot problems, knee troubles, back pain or impact-related injuries. While bicycle riding is both fun and great for your health, just be sure to take some precautions to make each ride as safe as possible. Wear a helmet, be visible and obey traffic rules for a fun and safe ride.
4) Swimming
Swimming is a great recreational activity for people of all ages that provides a great low-impact workout since you need to move your whole body against the resistance of the water. As low-impact workout, swimming keeps your heart rate up, but takes some of the impact stress off your body - which makes it a great workout for low-impact therapy for some injuries and conditions. Swimming also builds endurance, muscle strength and cardiovascular fitness; helps maintain a healthy weight, healthy heart and lungs; tones muscles and builds strength; and provides an all-over body workout, as nearly all of your muscles are used during swimming. Also, swimming can help to alleviate stress; improve, coordination, balance and posture; and improve flexibility. And the great thing is that when the season allows, swimming is available in many campgrounds. Just make sure that the environment you choose to swim in is safe.
5) Outdoor Games
Break out your camping games and play some Frisbee, badminton, volleyball or maybe just toss a football around. Most camping locations will have areas with lots of open space perfect for these types of activities - and perfect for soaking up a little sun. While unprotected overexposure to the sun’s ultraviolet rays can increase your risk of skin cancer, we shouldn’t overlook the many benefits of sunlight. When the sun hits our skin, it creates vitamin D3, important to bone health and metabolic function. In addition, exposure to sunlight during the day can help you sleep better at night, improve immune function and increase endorphin production — those feel-good hormones circulating throughout your body. Plus, regularoutdoor activity provides a number of physical health benefits, including lower blood pressure, reduced arthritis pain, weight loss and lowered risk of diabetes, certain cancers, osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease.
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