Staying fit and healthy can get tedious at times. Unfortunately, this monotony can make working out less appealing. The good news is you can stay in shape and have fun at the same time; all you need to do is try any (or several) of these six amazing activities.
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Go Hunting
Hunting is more than just an outdoor tradition you can enjoy with families and friends. It can help you burn off some unwanted caloriesー340 calories an hour, to be exact. After all, you need to run after animals such as deer, which can run at a quick pace of 30-40 miles per hour.
Should you decide to hunt as a means to stay fit, be sure to check the state regulations before you start. If you’re a newbie, you’re going to need a hunter certification certification, which covers gun safety, hunting etiquette, regulations, and outdoor skills. You will also need to apply for a license, a process that you may have to start six months before the start of hunting season.
On top of that, you will need to invest in the right hunting materials, such as high-quality gun laser sights, air guns, GPS, and rangefinders, to name a few. While the list of hunting requirements seems exhaustive, this adrenaline-filled activity remains one of the best ways to stay in shape. You get something to eat and a trophy to hang on your mantel, too!
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Try Hiking
If you love the great outdoors but hunting isn’t your cup of tea, then hiking is the way to go. The activity burns anywhere from 300 to 400 calories an hour. Depending on how quickly you hike or how difficult the terrain is, you may end up burning more calories. Trekking an uphill trail, for example, will help you burn about 400 to 550 calories in an hour.
Hiking offers many other health benefits, as well. It can help build stronger muscles and bones, refine balance, and promote heart health. It can also help reduce the risk of developing certain lung problems. Hiking can also help boost mood, as spending time in nature helps reduce stress and anxiety. It can also help improve your relationship with your hiking partner too!
Do note that even if you’re only planning to go day hiking, make it a point to wear/bring these essentials before you go:
- Appropriate clothing
- Hiking shoes
- Hiking pack
- Navigation tools
- Plenty of water and food
- First-aid kit
- Multi-tool
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Ride a Bike
Tired of exercising on a stationary bike? Then, go outdoor biking instead! It can help you burn a lot of calories, depending on the pace, ride duration, and ride intensity, to name a few.
For example, a 155-pound individual biking at a moderate pace of 12 to 13.9 miles an hour can burn about 260 to 298 calories in 30 minutes. A fast biking pace, meanwhile, can burn as much as 372 to 614 calories in half an hour. As with indoor cycling, outdoor biking can help promote muscle endurance and improve heart health. On top of that, exploring nature can help reduce stress and boost mood too.
If you’re thinking of doing some outdoor biking, then you are going to need special gear. Apart from getting a good bike and helmet, you’ll also need gear such as eye protection, water bottles, sunscreen, etc., and bike repair items.
You also need to be doubly careful if you plan on biking on paths with cars nearby!
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Play Soccer
If you love sports and want to keep fit, then consider playing soccer or football. According to experts from the Jamaica Hospital Medical Center, this activity can help you burn as much as 476 calories an hour. All the running, kicking, passing, and defending done in soccer are great for losing weight and improving heart health. Furthermore, it can help you build strength, endurance, and flexibility.
As with hunting and all the activities in this list, you’d need to have the right football gear to perform well on the pitch. That means getting great cleats, shin guards, attire, a bag, and a soccer ball before you get started.
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Go Swimming
Swimming is fun, but it isn’t something that you should only do while on vacation. If you want to keep fit, then you should go swimming on a regular basis.
Depending on what you do, you can burn the following in an hour:
- 223 calories for moderate-effort treading
- 528 calories for a high-effort, mid-speed crawl
Different strokes also require different caloric expenditures. Slower strokes such as the backstroke and breaststroke burn 305 and 337 calories per hour, respectively. The butterfly stroke, which is the most complicated since it requires a lot of effort from your upper and lower body, burns 878 calories an hour.
Swimming does more than just burn calories, though. All the pulling and kicking can also help with lean muscle building, which is essential for toning your body.
Go shopping for quality swimming apparel, such as a swimsuit, goggles, and a swim cap to test the waters of this fun fitness activity.
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Go Dancing
Perhaps the activities above are too much for your age and physical condition. On the other hand, the gears mentioned above may be way too much for your budget. There’s no need to worry, for you can still get fit the fun way. All you need to do is dance!
There are many styles you can try that fit your current health profile. And, depending on what you pick, you can burn the following calories in an hour:
- Slow ballroom dancing: 215 calories
- Tap dancing: 344 calories
- Fast ballroom dancing: 394 calories
- Vigorous-effort modern, jazz, or ballet dancing: 487 calories
Dancing can also help you achieve the following health benefits:
- Stronger muscles and an improved tone
- Stronger heart and lungs
- Better balance and spatial awareness
- Improved flexibility and coordination
- Enhanced mental and psychological well-being
Staying fit doesn’t have to be boring. By trying any (or several) of these six amazing activities, you can burn calories and tone your body in a fun, exciting way!
