07 Jul Hike Your Way to Healthy

Discovering a workout that you enjoy can be challenging. When it comes to fun outdoor activities, hiking is a great one to try. Not only is it good exercise, but it can feel more like fun than a workout. You’re outdoors, exploring, seeing new sights, and can take family or friends – or even your dog – along!

Hiking can seem intimidating for beginners, but the key is to start small. Find local trails near your home or workplace to try. Use these to build up your endurance and continue searching for new trails to explore. After you become more advanced you can plan hiking trips and use the activity as a fantastic excuse to travel.

There are many health benefits with hiking. Some of those include:

• Improved cardiorespiratory and muscular fitness
• Better bone health
• Helps improve sleep
• Reduces stress and anxiety

Another huge advantage of hiking is it exercises almost every part of your body including: legs, knees, ankles, arms, hips, abdominals, shoulders, and neck. Hiking can be great for mental health as well. It gives you a chance to escape the office – or maybe even the stress of the home. You can clear your head and maybe even get a few great ideas. Trying to figure out a tough work problem? You might find that a solution comes to you while you’re hiking!

Taking a hike with friends and family is also an added bonus. If you are used to doing a more moderate workout, hiking with friends can give you reason to slow down and enjoy with others. If you prefer hiking alone bring along great music or your pet and enjoy the solo hike. Be sure, though, to pay attention to your surroundings and consider wearing only one earbud and keeping any music low enough to hear what’s going on around you.

Not only does hiking give people a chance to get in a great workout but also a time to reflect and enjoy the sites and scenery around you. Consider spending the next time you exercise out on a trail with a great hike. Its many mental and physical benefits will aid your body and it’s a fun way to get healthy!

Need help working up to a hike? Body One is here to help! We’re locally owned and operated, with three locations serving Central Indianapolis: North Meridian, Fishers, and Zionsville. Call or click for more info!