Camping has been around for centuries and is enjoyed by many people. But it’s recently become an evolving fitness trend as Americans live more sedentary lives at home with their gadgets and devices that keep them constantly wired.
Fortunately, camping is making a comeback as a great way to exercise. Most people need to get away from all their gadgets and reconnect with nature while burning off extra calories. Here are five reasons why camping is just that—a great way to exercise your core, learn how to build fires, discover new ecosystems, enjoy fresh air, and find solitude.
1. Save Money on Workouts
Camping is an inexpensive way to get in shape. Many campsites are free, and at the very least, they’re significantly cheaper than most health club fees. Camping is also a great way to motivate yourself to get in shape because you have to plan for it.
You can’t just pull on some gym clothes, throw your equipment in the car, and go work out when you feel like it. You need to plan, pack, and prepare. All the effort involved in camping is great for your heart rate, which increases blood flow and brings oxygenated blood to your muscles, giving you an excellent cardiovascular workout.
2. Enjoy a Variety of Activities
When you’re camping, you can enjoy various activities that are fun and good for you. Hiking, fishing, swimming, and backpacking are all excellent ways to exercise your whole body. These activities also help you enjoy the great outdoors and make time pass more quickly when camping with friends or family.
Plus, because you can bring many people on camping trips, you can plan many group activities for everyone on the trip. Just make sure to attach your flatbed trailer to your car so that you won’t have to fit everything you need, such as the tents, firewood, and collapsible chairs inside the vehicle.
3. Breathe in the Fresh Air
The fresh air can do wonders for your mental health. When you go camping, you can breathe in fresher air than you would daily. If you’re planning to spend several days camping, it’s probably best that you go with people who don’t snore so loudly that they can wake the neighbors.
Additionally, the more time you spend outdoors, the easier it will become to cope with stress and anxiety. Make sure you plan for this so you can get the most out of your camping trip. If you want, you can even make a list so that you won’t forget anything and lessen your anxiety about the trip.
4. Learn Valuable Life Skills
When you’re in the great outdoors, you won’t have access to electricity and household appliances. This means that if you need to cook something, you have to rely on your skills alone. That’s why you’ll learn how to build fires, cook over them, and have the satisfaction of being able to say, “I built this fire!” in a non-trivial way.
Learning how to chop wood and build a fire with a hatchet is a skill that can be transferred into many areas in life. You’ll also learn how to fish, navigate in the dark, find your way back home without GPS or any other gadgets, and so much more. So when you’re camping, make sure to take time out and learn something new.
5. Spend More Time in Nature
Spending time outdoors reconnects you with nature and helps you appreciate it more deeply. It also gives you a better sense of how you fit into the larger world. With all of your gadgets and devices that keep you constantly wired, it’s essential to take time out of your life and unplug from technology.
By spending more time in nature, you’ll feel happier and healthier overall. This is because you’ll be breathing in oxygen and enjoying the benefits of being in the great outdoors. On top of that, you may just learn something new about yourself while you’re camping.
Therefore, if you’ve always had an urge to go camping but never had the time or money to do it, now is the perfect time to get out there and enjoy all these benefits. The more you enjoy camping, the more likely it is that you’ll want to go again and again, so be sure to choose a time when your schedule is open for a long weekend.
Final Thoughts
Camping is a great way to get in shape, learn new skills, and appreciate nature. The more you do it, the better your health will be overall, which means that camping should become an integral part of your life. So be sure to consider these five reasons if you’re planning to go camping this year.
