If you are looking for an effective workout routine that will enhance your overall health and still allow you to enjoy the great outdoors, you should try out cross country hiking. This type of exercise entails you hiking over very long distances. By taking up cross country hiking, you’ll not only go on a great adventure, but you will also stand to earn great health benefits in the long run. Here are the major health benefits of cross country hiking:
1. Enhanced Stamina
One of the main benefits of cross country hiking is enhanced stamina. Although cross-country hiking might be exhausting at first, the more you hike the more stamina you will develop in the long run. As you hike cross country, you will be pushing your lungs to the limit. You might not be jogging or sprinting, however, you will still be climbing up mountains and walking through harsh terrain.
Stamina is not just about physical endurance either. It is also a state of mind. The more you push yourself during your hike, the more mental endurance you will have. Doing cross-country hiking might be exhausting at first, however, the benefits are worth it.
2. Muscular Development
Although cross country hiking is predominantly a walking exercise, it still entails you to move through harsh terrain. There will be times where you will have to pull yourself up on a log or a boulder. Throughout your trek, you will be moving your body, and pushing it to its limits. So the more you hike, the more your muscles will develop in the long run.
You won’t be bulking up like a bodybuilder, however, you will still be training key aspects of your body. Think of your muscle development like that of a marathon runner. You are not really developing your fast-twitch muscles, for sprinting. Instead, you are developing your slow-twitch muscles for greater overall endurance.
3. Weight Control
When you hike cross country, you will be using up a lot of calories. This makes cross-country hiking a great way to control your weight. As you hike, you will be surprised at how much work it takes to keep a steady pace. You will be sweating and you will be pushing your body throughout the hike.
So it is important that you have a steady supply of calories during your hike. Some great snacking options are granola bars, beef jerky, and trail mix. While on a hike, you don’t have to limit your calorie intake, because you will be burning a lot of calories. If you make hiking a part of your workout regimen, you can stave off the pounds in the most effective way possible.
4. Improved Mental Health
Aside from physical health, you could also enhance your mental health during the hike. When you hike you are focusing all of your thoughts on one thing, and that is hiking. By hiking through the countryside, you give yourself a chance to escape civilization for a few hours or days. You could also enjoy the beauty of nature, and see wondrous sights that you won’t normally see. If there is one thing you should remember during your hikes, it is that there is a certain beauty in struggling. So as you push yourself, and pit yourself against nature and the hardships of the hike, you will not only become more relaxed, you will also strengthen your mental strength in the process.
5. Core Strength
When you go cross country hiking, you might think that you are only using your leg muscles. However, you’ll be surprised at how effective cross country hiking is at developing your core strength. You will be climbing up hills and going through wooded terrain. So without even knowing it, you will be using a majority of your core muscles.
By climbing up boulders and hills, you will be using your lower and upper abdomen to pull yourself up. By crossing the streams and going against the currents, you will be using your core muscles to stabilize yourself. So the more you hike, the more shredded your abs will become.
What you need for Cross Country Hiking
If you are going to go cross-country hiking, it is important that you bring the right equipment as well. First and foremost, you should bring good quality hiking shoes. This is necessary because you will be using it throughout the entire trek.
Aside from hiking shoes, it is also important that you bring proper eye protection. Remember that you will be going through harsh terrain, and you will be very far away from civilization. So it is imperative that you protect your eyes as effectively as possible. Army goggles are particularly effective because they are not only designed to protect your eyes from dust and debris, they also have tinted features that will keep the sun out of your eyes.
If you are going to purchase army goggles, you should buy them from well-respected manufacturers such as Fetop. It is a company that manufactures top-of-line china army goggles. So any products you buy from them are of the best quality possible.
It is also a good idea to bring water and supplies with you during your hikes. That way, you will be able to stay strong and well-hydrated no matter how far you hike. Although it is tempting to travel light during your hikes, it is still imperative that you bring them with you. This will ensure that you will continue to have a positive and cheerful outlook during your hikes.
Conclusion
Cross country hiking is a great hobby to take up because it allows you to work out while enjoying the great outdoors as well. Aside from the great adventures, you will also stand to gain some great health benefits along the way.
