Why Hiking Is An Ideal Cardio Workout?
Hiking is a relaxed walk along a trail for fun purposes and can vary in difficulty and distance. It provides a few hours of activity, engages all the muscles of the body, boosts the metabolism.
My main problem is that I don't enjoy any type of physical exercise. I have tried everything to persuade myself to engage in sports. Without any success.
At one point, I even purchased a one-year membership to a gym that also included a spa. I reasoned that I wouldn't be able to resist such a delightful incentive and would go there regularly. I didn't want to feel guilty about the money I had spent. Unfortunately, things didn't pan out as I had hoped. I wasn't feeling well for a couple of months, and then I simply lost interest. And after four months of exercise, I stopped going altogether.
In this article, I aim to delve into why physical exercise is crucial for our bodies. What are the benefits? Hopefully, it will convince you and me to become more active, including practicing hiking regularly.
The ideal cardio workout depends on your fitness level and goals. Consult a healthcare professional for personalized advice.
Health Begins With Oxygen
These, next, are perhaps the maxims, and we have all known them since first grade, but perhaps for this very reason they do not reach our hearts or consciences.
Correct blood circulation is important because it delivers oxygen to all the cells in our body. Our cells do not produce oxygen themselves, but instead rely on the blood to bring it to them. This is why poor blood circulation can lead to various health problems. That is why our bodies need movement and physical activity.
If blood circulation is not proper, our cells can become deprived of oxygen, which can result in a range of health issues. Poor circulation can cause fatigue, muscle cramps, numbness, and even more serious conditions such as heart disease and stroke.
Regular physical activity is crucial for maintaining healthy blood circulation. Exercise helps to strengthen the heart and improve the efficiency of the cardiovascular system, ensuring that oxygen-rich blood is delivered to all parts of the body. Movement also helps to keep blood vessels flexible and free of blockages, reducing the risk of circulation-related concerns.
Movement Is Life
Incorporating activities like walking, swimming, or cycling into our daily routine can have a significant impact on our overall health and well-being. By staying active and promoting good blood circulation, we can help our bodies function optimally and reduce the risk of developing serious health conditions.
Hiking provides not only physical benefits, but is also known to reduce stress and improve mental well-being. Therefore, hitting the trails is a fantastic way for everyone to stay active and maintain good health.
For these reasons, hiking is not just a wonderful way to appreciate the outdoors and admire stunning scenery, but it also offers an excellent cardio workout. The different terrains and inclines found on hiking trails make for a challenging exercise that can enhance cardiovascular health and endurance.
Regular physical activity also plays a key role in maintaining a healthy weight, which is important for overall cardiovascular health. Being overweight or obese can put extra strain on the heart and blood vessels, leading to poor circulation and an increased risk of heart disease.
Well, taking a look inside our bodies may help us understand why our doctor has the same response to all our complaints: you need to exercise more. Can you promise me that you will take a 30-minute walk every day? And when you go hiking, can you commit to several hours of intense physical activity?
With this, I wanted to provide support and encouragement as we embark on this journey towards better health and well-being. Spring is the time to take it all back.
Let's Recap
Hiking and other exercises benefit the heart, brain, joints, skin, muscles, digestion, and lungs because movement brings oxygen to the body's cells and this makes them work like new.
Other benefits are weight loss, increased energy, improved sleep and mood, a strong immune system, and sexual function.
And… (it’s for me :-) ) reduces the risk of falling. Better blood circulation improves oxygenation of the brain which improves body balance.
So, put on your hiking boots and embark on a fun and effective cardio workout!
Suggested reading
Academic Sources:
"Hiking Is an Excellent, Accessible Form of Exercise—Here's How to Get Started" by Byrdie (2023): https://www.shape.com/fitness/cardio/benefits-hiking-will-make-you-want-hit-trails This article cites a study by the American Heart Association on the benefits of walking for heart health.
"How to Train for Hiking: Tips & Exercises" by REI (2023): https://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/conditioning-backpacking.html This article mentions the cardiovascular benefits of hiking and references the American Council on Exercise for more information.
"Why Walking Is One of the Best Cardio Workouts" by Healthline (2023): https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/exercise/walking-for-health/ This article discusses the general cardiovascular benefits of walking, which apply to hiking as well.
Additional Resources:
"8 Reasons Why Hiking is Great Exercise" by Piedmont Healthcare (2023): https://www.piedmont.org/living-real-change/can-i-use-exercise-as-medicine This article provides a good overview of the various health benefits of hiking, including its positive impact on cardiovascular health.