Hiking: The Next Greatest Aerobic Workout

Hiking is one of the most healthy aerobic sports one can participate in.   Involving not only use of the leg, arm and torso muscle groups, hiking into higher elevations provides for lung capacity endurance and strength.   Offering a great diversion from a gym or street walk, hiking is an excellent cardiovascular work out for the entire family.  Understanding the health benefit of hiking, preventing injury and preparing for hiking trips, will ensure a more pleasant and enjoyable walking experience for many years..  

As a cardiovascular activity, hiking lends its most recent popularity in the significant benefits in terms of  weight loss, preventing osteoporosis and decreasing blood pressure.  Mentally and emotionally, hiking offers both nature enthusiast and those without an affinity for the outdoors, an opportunity to obtain the recommended aerobic workout while enjoying the beauty of the hills and mountains of the country.   At higher elevations, the views are breathtaking, often the underlying motivator factor behind an amateur hiker's motivation to begin a hiking fitness program.