Fun Adventures To Stay Fit Beyond The Gym

Are you bored of the gym? It sounds like you need a new way to stay fit and we have got some great options for you to try in the outdoors this year. 

Hiking

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If you want to know how many calories you’ll burn hiking, consider this. Hikers have to consume chocolate bars to even make the climb. They constantly need to provide their body the energy that they are losing during the workout. Hiking is a great activity and suitable for all times of the year. From Snowdon to the Pennines there are also some fantastic places to hike around the UK. While some are more of a challenge, others are perfect for the amateur hiker just starting out.

To stay safe with this option to make sure that you stay on the path and it’s a good idea to have some orienteering skills as well. You might think that these days you can rely on your sat nav or phone. But there’s always a chance they run out of battery. You need orienteering in case you encounter issues like fog. If you can’t find your way the best option will usually be to stay put and wait for the mist to clear. Trying to navigate blind can lead to disaster. 

Obstacle Courses

Did you know that there are obstacle courses across the UK, ideal for a solid workout? If you look at a list of obstacle races, you’re sure to find one near you and the best part is that these are designed to work out all your muscles and push your body to the limit. They are great fun too and no matter what your fitness level, you’re sure to enjoy an obstacle race. You can even try an aqua course where you’re constantly at risk of being knocked into the water.

Wild Swimming 

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Finally one of the best options for staying fit that is totally different from the typical trip to the gym is certainly going wild swimming. If you haven’t heard of this, wild swimming is basically swimming anywhere outdoors that isn’t a pool. This may include the beach but you could also dive into a river, lake or stream. The benefit of this is that it’s more of a challenge than a swim at a pool and some researchers suggest it may even offer health benefits. 

There are a few things to be aware of here. First, do check for signs that it is either safe or unsafe to swim in the water. Second, make sure that you consider the temperature. Unless you have a wetsuit, this is probably only going to be suitable as a summer activity. Third, make sure that you can handle it. Only experienced or strong swimmers should try wild swimming. If you are not comfortable in deep water or water where there’s a current this isn’t for you. That said, if you are a strong swimmer, pushing upstream against a mild current is going to be a great workout that really takes your muscles to the limit. 

How do you like to keep fit?

*This is a collaborative post*