- Reduce the risk of health issues. Heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, obesity, anxiety, osteoporosis and arthritis. Your risk of these health issues is greatly reduced with regular hiking. Since walking is one of the lowest impact sports around, you benefit from the cardiovascular benefits while minimizing stress, strain and pounding to your body.
- It promotes mental health. Get out of the gym and onto your local trails! You will notice a decrease in tension and anxiety after hiking outdoors, regardless of how fast or slow you walk. Endorphins are released during this workout, this can lift your spirits and keep you happy throughout the day!
- Shape up. Hiking burns up to 370 calories an hour. Studies show that people who lose weight through walking or hiking maintain the loss and continue to lose while those who lose through dieting tend to experience the yo-yo effect. When you hike, you are getting a full-body workout with extra attention to the quads, glutes and hamstrings. Best part about hiking? You can control your workout! Will you take a slowly inclining scenic trail or a steep trek up a mountain? You set the pace and the distance!
- Spend time with friends and family! Kids see many of the same benefits from hiking including better bone health, reduced risk of health issues, and a better night’s sleep. Next time you go on a hike, invite your family or a friend. You will be spending quality time with little to no distraction from phones or TVs.
Hiking is a great way to get out and get moving. It's healthy, it's fun, and it's an excuse to spend some time in the great outdoors. You can get ideas for Healthy Hikes right on your mobile device through Intermountain’s Health Hub app. You can download the Health Hub app from our Mobile App Center or directly from the App Store or Google Play. Search for "Intermountain Health Hub."
Next time someone tells you to “take a hike”, get outside and reap the health benefits. Happy hiking!