Winter is a great time to explore the outdoors especially if you love snowshoeing like me. Snowshoeing is fantastic and easy to do sport. You will only need to strap on some cool snowshoes and start walking. The best part about snowshoeing that I love is that it can be used as a way of keeping fit alone or together with your pals. There are many health benefits associated with snowshoeing, for example, helping one build strength, endurance, balance and much more. Snowshoes and snowshoeing gears are easily accessible in different malls and shop. When you have the gears required, you are good to go as snowshoeing is done in most public lands. If you can walk or hike, definitely you can snowshoe because it is that easy. In case you miss your morning run to heavy snow, try snowshoeing because of the following health benefits.
Burn Calories
Did you know that you can burn more calories snowshoeing than you can while walking or running at the same pace? Yes, it is possible, and this is because snowshoeing provides the best aerobic workout like running or hiking but in this case, you actually burn more calories. You exercise by lifting your legs while walking in the snow and your body must work hard to maintain and keep you warm therefore burning calories. The amount of calories you will burn depends on the difficulty of the terrain and the speed at which you are walking. With these, you can burn up to 900 calories in an hour. It is a simple way of exercising that doesn’t require too much to lose weight.
Low Impact Workout
Snowshoeing is a little impact workout that is easy on your knees. Another advantage is that any person can snowshoe regardless of their age. Even those in their old age can slowly walk on snow without struggling so much. Snow is known to act like a cushion, which absorbs bumps and shocks. If you don’t want an intense workout, one can easily walk on flat packed terrain burning a few calories.
· Great Cardiovascular Workout
Doctors highly recommend that one should at least do cardio exercises for 20 to 60 minutes each day or at least three times a week. This exercise increases the function of both your heart and lungs. Walking on the snow helps you hit your cardiovascular system on another high level especially if you are snowshoeing at high altitude, which leads to your body producing more red blood cells. The American Heart Association has approved this exercise, as it is a great way to prevent heart diseases.
· Build Muscles
Your muscles get build up due to the various body movements when snowshoeing. One tends to move their muscles concerning their core rather than to gravity. These muscular benefits are almost similar to those of running. For those using poles to snowshoe, your back, arm and shoulder muscles will get a great workout. The muscles worked during snowshoeing include; quads, calf muscles and hamstrings.
· Full Body Workout
This sport strengthens your whole body as well as losing a couple of inches. Snowshoeing improves your body balance when walking on snow and also pushes your body muscles to work even harder.
Snowshoeing has gained popularity as a winter sport and a form of exercise. There are no skills required meanings that you and your friends can do it as a sport. Even without large outdoor spaces, you can still look for a park after a big snowstorm. If there is snow, then you can snowshoe.