Many people know the benefits of walking. Walking is easy, affordable, social and a great workout. But if you want to mix up your routine a bit, or if you think you may have hit a fitness plateau, try hiking for a change.
Hiking is an excellent endurance-building aerobic exercise that burns a ton of calories and fat (provided you keep up a good pace.) Hiking will also help build muscle strength, particularly in your calves, thighs and butt. Hiking can even save you time. Walking uphill forces you to increase your effort and workout intensity, so you burn more calories in a shorter period of time.
Where should you hike? Just like walking, you can “hike” indoors or outdoors. If you enjoy the treadmill, increase the grade on your machine to create a hill for a greater challenge. If you're an outdoor walker, find a route that features inclines and declines. Start out slowly – there is no need to try and climb Everest on your first day.
Hiking is a great group activity, though many people like to hike on their own. If you hike by yourself, be sure you tell someone where you're going and when you plan to get back in the event that you get lost or injured.
What do you need? Unless you plan on camping overnight, they only real gear you need are your shoes. The experts differ on what to wear. Some say your walking shoes are suitable, others say they don’t offer enough support. If you can afford a new pair, try on a few pairs of hiking shoes and buy the one with the best fit. If new shoes aren’t in the budget, be good to your feet with padded socks.