I wonder if you have ever asked yourself if hiking is good for your heart. Before I got used to hiking, I could not help but ask myself “Is hiking good for cardio?”
If you love your heart, then trust me when I say Hiking is good for your heart.
Most of the research surrounding cardiovascular health has shown that general exercise and extreme exercises such as hiking is good for your health.
That is true. Why?
Whenever you go for a hike, you will feel a difference in how your heart works. As soon as I realized the goodness of hiking, I have never foregone hiking and so should you.
Therefore, hiking can be a great way to get cardio exercise. However, it’s low impact, so it’s easy on your joints, and it’s a great way to get outside and relish the refreshed air.
Plus, hiking can be a great social activity – there are many hiking groups that you can join, or you can hike with friends or family. And, of course, it’s a great way to see some amazing scenery.
So, if you’re looking for a good cardio workout, hiking is definitely worth considering.
Just be sure to start slow and build up your fitness level gradually – don’t try to tackle too much too soon. And always hike with someone else for safety reasons.
How Hiking Can Balance Your Cardiovascular Activity
Hiking is indeed more beneficial than you think. Regular hiking keeps your heart healthy and this is one of the outdoor activities that most people consider.
Below are reasons how hiking is good for cardio:
Hiking controls body cholesterol level
Cholesterol levels in our blood are brought about by what we eat. It is a combination of complex sugars and fats.
When in excess, they tend to accumulate within our blood vessels and some of them get broken down into fats that hence accumulate around our hearts.
So, how can you get rid of excess cholesterol that congests our heart vessels as well as the surface of the heart?
It is as easy as just getting down to hiking. Go hiking today and make your heart healthy.
Persistent hiking reduces risks of hypertension
What is hypertension? Can you guess?
Well, it is basically high blood pressure. High blood pressure came about due to vaso-constricted blood and vessels near the heart. When that happens, the blood is deprived of enough inflow blood.
Less blood into the heart makes the heart a slave as it overworks in order to maintain the required circulation.
You can simply help your heart and alleviate it from being a slave by making hike the order of the day.
Hiking is, therefore, good for the heart because it reduces the risk of your heart overworking. That is reducing hypertension.
Hiking regulates glucose and enhances glucose tolerance
How does your body cope with excess glucose?
You will agree with me that sometimes, too much glucose leads to an increased heart rate. This could be detrimental to your heart.
So, how can you regulate blood glucose and ease the activity of your heart?
Hiking is medicine. Hiking helps you burn excess glucose that could be detrimental to your heart.
I can attest to the fact that hiking works as far as burning excess glucose is concerned.
Improves heart muscles and overall stamina
Apparently, your heart muscles need some exercise for them to function well. Increased body inactivity leads to decreased heart muscle tone.
When that happens, your heart lacks the power to pump blood to the furthest tissue in your body.
To reverse this development, all you need is to set off for a hike and maintain it.
Hiking increase heart rate crucial for proper blood pumping
When at rest, you will realize that your heart pumps slowly, the effect of this is that some of the residual blood in extreme vessels may not reach the heart on time.
To avoid that, you need a physical activity that will help your heart increase its beating activity. Hiking is what is needed if you are to achieve that goal.
Safety Precautions for Heart Patients
Extreme hiking could be detrimental to people with heart disorders. However, here are some safety precautions for people with heart conditions:
Never go beyond 3500 meters
It has been revealed by cardio specialists that hiking beyond 3500 meters is detrimental for people suffering from heart disease.
If you are one of these special patients, then it is prudent for you not to hike past that stipulated height. If you love your heart, then you need to heed this.
Maintain a heart friendly pace
If you have a heart problem, it is critical to adopt a pace that does not strain your heart excessively. I believe that you can feel it and you know what pace is good for your heart.
Take regular breaks throughout the hiking
You will agree with me that even an ordinary person needs frequent breaks while hiking.
Frequent breaks are crucial for your heart as they prevent too much strain and it is the basis of replenishing your heart with new strength.
Relax and avoid stressful hiking
Stress during hiking is dangerous as it makes your heart race to supply blood to vital organs.
It is for that reason, therefore, that you ought to ensure that you take hiking as a hobby and not a serious race.
Monitor your heart during the hike
Thanks to the current digital era, you can easily check your heart vitals.
With that, you can easily tell whether there is a problem during hiking or not.
How Hiking Helps You to Keep Fit & Healthy
Hiking is a great way to get rid of some extra fats while enjoying the outdoors. It is a low-impact activity that can be done at any fitness level.
Since hiking undoubtfully is a great way to improve your cardiovascular health and overall fitness.
Moreover, it’s a weight-bearing exercise, which means it helps to strengthen bones and muscles as well as it’s an excellent way to burn calories and fat.
In fact, hiking at a moderate pace can burn up to 500 calories per hour!
Eventually, hiking outdoors in nature can help reduce stress levels and promote relaxation and hiking with friends or family members to make the experience even more enjoyable.
1. Hiking burns calories
Looking for burning a lot of calories in a single activity, just go for a hike; it’s the simplest and most effective way to burn fats.
In fact, according to Harvard Health Publishing, a 155-pound person can burn approximately 298 calories by walking at a moderate pace for just 30 minutes.
And the more you weigh, the more calories you’ll burn—so if you’re looking to lose weight, hiking is a great option.
2. Hiking is low-impact
Unlike running or other high-impact forms of exercise, hiking puts very little stress on your joints and muscles—which means it’s much easier on your body overall.
This makes it a great option if you’re trying to lose weight without putting your body through too much strain.
3. Hiking builds muscle
In addition to burning calories, hiking also helps build muscle—especially in your legs and core.
And the more muscle you have, the more efficient your body becomes at burning fat and calories (even when you’re not exercising).
So if you’re looking for an effective way to lose weight, consider adding hiking to your routine. You’ll be glad you did!
Why is Hiking Good for Your Mental Health
1. Boosts Your Mood
Being in nature has been shown to boost mood and reduce stress levels.
One study found that after just 20 minutes of walking in a park, participants had lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol and reported feeling more relaxed.
So next time you’re feeling down or stressed, go for a hike!
2. Improves Your Sleep Quality
If you struggle with insomnia or poor sleep quality, hiking can help.
Getting regular exercise is important for maintaining good sleep habits, and being outdoors in natural light during the day can help regulate your body’s sleep-wake cycle.
In one study, people who exercised outdoors reported better sleep quality than those who exercised indoors.
3. Increases Your Energy Levels
it might seem counterintuitive, but exercising can actually give you more energy instead of making you feel tired.
That’s because regular physical activity helps improve your cardiovascular fitness, which makes it easier for your heart and lungs to deliver oxygen to your muscles.
And when your muscles have more oxygen, they have more energy! So if you’re feeling sluggish, lace up your hiking boots and hit the trail.
Crucial FAQs
Is hiking better cardio than running?
Indeed, hiking is a way better cardio than running. The reason for that is that hiking is moderately extreme and long-lasting.
This is not the case for running.
Is hiking enough of a workout?
It depends on the level of threshold of workout that one needs.
If you need a moderate workout, then hiking is the best but if you need an extreme one, then go for a treadmill and other extreme ones.
Is hiking considered intense exercise?
Hiking is considered both intense and moderate exercise because it depends on how intensive one decides to take it.
For example, one can hike over a steep mountain in 24 hours while some can take a week.
Is hiking better than HIIT?
Whereas high-intensity interval training seeks to produce a rapid workout followed by active recovery, hiking is a continuous workout that ensures that the body gradually adapts to consistent exercise.
Hiking is not rapid but long-lasting.
Is hiking better than gym?
Hiking is no better than gym because both involve a regulated type of exercise. To a great extent, hiking is equally better than the gym.
How does hiking keep your heart healthy?
Considering that hiking is a moderate workout, and it involves regular rest and acclimatization with respect to the altitude it is definitely the best in keeping your heart healthy.
Is Hiking Good Enough Cardio?
Yes, hiking is a great form of cardio exercise.
Hiking gets your heart rate up and helps improve your cardiovascular health. Additionally, hiking can help burn calories and tone muscles.
Is Hiking a Good Way to Lose Weight?
Yes, hiking is a great way to lose weight. It’s a low-impact form of exercise that can help you burn calories and improve your cardiovascular health. Plus, it’s a fun way to explore the great outdoors!
Choose the right trail: When you’re first starting out, it’s important to pick a trail that’s not too difficult. You don’t want to be discouraged by an overly strenuous hike.
Once you’ve built up your fitness level, you can tackle more challenging trails.
Start slow and build up your endurance: If you’re new to hiking, take things slowly at first. Don’t try to go too fast or cover too much ground in one outing.
Gradually increase the distance and difficulty of your hikes as your fitness level improves.
Bring plenty of water and snacks: Hiking can be thirsty work, so make sure you bring along enough water for the entire hike (plus a little extra in case of emergencies).
And pack some healthy snacks for energy boosts along the way.
Dress appropriately: Wear comfortable shoes and clothing that won’t rub or chafe as you walk.
And if you’ll be hiking in sunny weather, remember to apply sunscreen and wear a hat to protect yourself from harmful UV rays.
Be prepared for emergencies: It’s always best to hike with someone else, but if you’re going solo, be sure to let someone know where you’re going and when you’ll be back.
Pack a small first-aid kit in case of minor injuries, and carry a cell phone in case of emergency.
Does Hiking Burn Belly Fat?
Hiking can be a great way to help reduce overall body fat, including belly fat. To see results, aim to hike at least three times per week for 30-60 minutes at a time.
If you can manage longer hikes or more vigorous ones (think: hillier terrain), even better!
And be sure to keep your calorie intake in check; if you’re eating more calories than you’re burning off through exercise, it’ll be tough to lose weight no matter how much hiking you do.
Verdict
Hiking is indeed good cardio for exercise as compared to other types of workouts.
For people with a heart condition, hiking is good cardio but precautions must be adhered to so as to keep the heart in check during hiking.
From my experience, I strongly believe that hiking is better for cardio than running.
It is enough workout just as any other workout because it ranges from mild to extreme depending on the desired threshold set by an individual.
It is better than HIIT because it is a gradual but long-lasting exercise. You can also consider it at the expense of going to a gym.
With a wealth of experience and a heart full of wanderlust, she invites you to join her on thrilling expeditions, offering invaluable tips and tricks along the way.
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