If you’re tired of working out in a gym and are looking to breathe fresh air during your workouts, why not consider going for a hike instead of spending time on a treadmill!
With the temperatures turning mild and the leaves changing, fall is the perfect time to combine a workout with getting to see spectacular views. Bring your family or a friend along to share the experience with you.
Taking these seven essential items along will ensure that your day on the trail is unforgettable:
Storing Your Gear
Having a comfortable backpack is key to a good hiking experience. Find one that fits your back and that is big enough to carry everything that you need. One that has several side pockets can help you keep your things organized and help make sure that you can find what you need.
Personal Tip: My husband and I are avid hikers. For our anniversary, I bought him a picnic backpack that can hold our snack for when we reach our destination. It can also carry a nice bottle of wine for a small celebration for the day! I must say, it’s one of the more unique gifts I’ve given him these past few years…
Which brings me to my next point –
High Energy Food
There’s nothing better than getting to a viewpoint and having a good snack to pull out of your bag. Depending on how long you want to hike for, you can bring anything from a bag of trail-mix for a snack for an entire picnic lunch. Good hiking foods are ones that are calorie-dense and that don’t spoil in the heat. Think about bringing some dried fruit along. Be sure to coordinate with anyone you’re hiking with to make sure you have enough food and then split the weight evenly between packs.
Protection From the Sun
With the changing seasons, the rays of the sun can still be damaging if you’re in them for too long. Even with cloud and tree coverage, UV rays are still penetrating through, so be sure to bring some sunscreen along.
First Aid Kit
Accidents can happen in nature, so make sure to bring along a basic first-aid kit. Be sure to be able to treat cuts and scrapes that can occur with a fall and to have basic medication to treat pain. Having ointments to treat rashes from poisonous plants can also make an encounter with poison ivy much more tolerable. Your kit should have a variety of Band-Aids, gauze, and tape.
Take a Picture
You’re sure to encounter plenty of beautiful views while hiking, so be sure to document them with a camera. A small, handheld camera weighs very little and can store timeless memories of mountaintops and beautiful lakes or streams. This is also a great way to capture memories and moments with your family and friends.
Rain Gear
The weather outside can be fickle and unpredictable, so be sure to bring some rain gear along. Something as simple as a nylon poncho can keep you dry if the rain starts to come down and is light enough to not make your pack heavy.
Flashlight
In case of emergencies, bring a small flashlight. While the chances are you won’t be out after dark, it’s always better to be safe than sorry. A small flashlight can help you navigate if it gets dark on you.
Hiking can be a fun way to incorporate being outside into a normal workout routine. In addition to getting to see new places, it can be a good aerobic and strength workout. Plus, it can be social so that you actually look forward to getting your exercise in!
Originally published on NaturalPapa
*Image of “family trekking“ via Shutterstock
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