A lot of folks are outdoors types who like to spend their free time among nature instead of cooped up in a gym. For those types and for anyone to change things up a bit and hit a nearby park or forest trail, there are ways to use that time for getting a full body workout as well as filling your lungs with fresh air. With a little imagination and the following tips, you can turn your trail hike into an exhilarating workout that benefits all areas of your body.

Cardio on the Trail

Just getting out and hiking a trail provides a good source of leg and cardio exercise, especially if the trail varies in grade and offers numerous obstacles. If you set out at a brisk pace, these factors alone may be enough to provide you with a sufficient cardio workout. However, if the trail is mostly flat and smooth the entire distance, you may need to pick up the pace and plan faster walks, jogs and sprints from one designated point to another in order to get your heart rate up enough to benefit your health.
One good way to increase your cardio workout session while out on the trail is to take along a backpack filled with snacks, water bottles, extra clothes and other items that will provide addition weight while on your hike (approximately 20 pounds is a good weight). This is a tried and true method for getting into peak physical shape used by the army and marines. OORAH!

Physical Fitness on the Trail

Besides cardio, you can also perform a variety of exercises on the trail that will benefit you physically. Some parks offer exercise trails with exercise stations spread out strategically along the way. If you have access to these types of trails then workouts are a breeze. However, many others do not have access to such facilities and need to improvise.

In order to get a full body workout while out on the trail, various bodyweight exercises can be implemented. While briskly walking or jogging along a stretch of the path, drop and pump out 50 pushups before continuing. For tougher workouts, throw in plyometric hand claps. Sit ups can also be thrown in to form a quick set.

During other stretches of the trail, keep your eye out for sturdy branches with sufficient ground clearance along the way that can be used for wide- and narrow-grip pull ups and core crunching leg lifts. You can even try hooking your legs over a branch and pump out some ab-ripping sit ups from a hanging position.

You can also look for bowling ball sized rocks which can be used somewhat like a medicine ball or kettle bell. Hold the rock out in front of you with both hands and twist from side to side to tone your obliques. If you can get a grip on the rock, use it for one handed curls. Grab two rocks about the same size and press them over your head from a position held at shoulder height.

These are just a few ideas of how you can turn an enjoyable hike along a nature trail into a full body workout. What better way to enjoy the great outdoors and get an invigorating exercise program in at the same time!