How to Get in Shape for Camping Season

Before this “how-to” lesson on fitness begins, we need to clear up a few things. Firstly, different people are at different stages of exercising; and second, different exercises have different effects on people. In this article “How to Get in Shape for Camping Season,” you will learn the importance of cardiovascular and aerobic health. If you’re not in top condition in these areas it will be hard for you to do anything else. You will learn how to build a proper base that you can build on, and then progress into other particular areas.

Some Tips on How to Prepare for Your Outdoor Activities

Give Your Body Time to Improve

First we will stress that, without a proper air supply and a healthy heart, being outdoors can be a real chore. Let’s face it – as our bodies get older some of our organs begin to slow down. To cope with this process you must keep discipline and stay on top of your exercise plan. The best way to do this in my opinion is to get an early start; begin at least 2 months before your adventure with walking or running for 30 minutes, 3 times a week.

Gradually Increase Your Exercise

As time progresses, your body and endurance will improve with the workout and, therefore, so should your workout. Either increase time or speed. Be sure not to do the same workout everyday, mix it up by playing some backyard football or running stairs. Your body can get used to and adapt to a certain routine pretty quick. You may be exercising faithfully, but if it’s the exact same thing, day after day, I can guarantee that the results you’re looking for won’t be so quick to appear.

After you build your proper base where you can walk for a comfortable pace for a comfortable amount of time, you can then move on to working for you specific trip. If you are going for a canoe trip in the boundary waters, work on your upper body muscles including your core. All movement comes from your core – so the stronger your core is, the easier everything else will be. If you are going hiking in the Rockies, work on your leg strength along with everything else.

Try to Vary Your Routine

If you’re going on just a weekender with the family, work on all around fitness and reap the benefits of overall health and weight loss. To be sure you’re getting the most out of your workout, try to vary your routine by targeting all parts of your body with different exercises: cardio (walking, running, jumping jacks, skipping rope), strength (push-ups, rows, lunges, bicep curls, squats), and core (almost anything that works the abdominal muscles).

To get the most out of your workout, vary your routine by targeting all parts of your body with different exercises.

Stay Hydrated

One thing you must do to get the full benefit of a workout plan is to stay hydrated. Drink at least one liter of water before beginning any activity. Stay hydrated throughout the day for optimum results. Another tip is to do your activity at the start of the day, this way you won’t put it off until it’s too late. Remember to build a proper base, train for your particular activity, mix up your routine so you work the whole body and to stay hydrated. Those are some of my tips on how to get in shape for camping season. The most important thing to do is get outside and have fun!

Author: Loyal Carpenter

Edited By: CampTrip.com