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Flex Friday #7 - What outdoor activities burn the most calories?

After the long and rough winter most of us have had, we’re sure you’re feeling the cabin fever just like we are.

The gym and structured training should remain a consistent part of your fitness routine but get outside have a ton of other benefits:

  • It’s fun! Getting outside allows you to connect with nature and friends.
  • People who go outside for a WO tend to spend 30 additional minutes thing then they normally would.
  • Walking, hiking, and running outside burns more calories due to changes in terrain, the wind, and the sun.

Getting some sun and fresh air early in the morning is great for your sleep. Studies show that early sunset your circadian rhythm.

It should come as no surprise that we’re ready to shrug off our winter jackets and start incorporating some outdoor sports and adventures back into our exercise routines.

Which led me to wonder, which outdoor activities give the most calorie-burning bang for the buck?

Following is a list of my favorite get-out-in- nature pastimes along with some information on their benefits to help get you to get the most effective workout and burn the most calories.

Hiking: Up to 370 calories/hour.

One of the best ways to get your nature is to strap on a pair of hiking shoes and hit the open trails. Not only is hiking meditative and great for soothing frazzled nerves but trekking up and down uneven terrain also gives your body a terrific cardiorespiratory workout while improving muscular fitness. And you might even spot some animals along the way! For a person of average size, hiking can burn up to 370 calories/hour.

Tennis: Up to 560 calories/hour

With the constant movement required during a tennis match (and a match’s length), it’s a no – brainer that this summertime favorite is a great cardio workout.

The explosive movements can also tighten up the muscles in your

arms, back, legs, and core. It’s not bad at burning off excess calories either, coming in at 560 calories/hour.

Rock Climbing: Up to 750 calories/hour

For many people, a sheer rock face isn’t a sign that they should turn back; rather, it’s a challenge to scale it and see what’s on top.

Climbing has become so popular in the United States that there are entire gyms dedicated to getting people off the ground and dangling from walls.

Of course, climbing is a great way to tone up your arms, but it’s also an intense workout for the back, chest, abs, and legs as well. On top of that, rock climbing can burn up to a whopping 750 calories/hour.

If you have always wanted to try this here’s a great guide:

Soccer: Up to 700 calories/hour

Though professional soccer still isn’t as popular stateside as it is in other countries, plenty of us has spent a summer afternoon playing a game of pickup soccer. It’s a great cardio workout that helps build strength in your legs and core muscles. Playing soccer for an hour can burn around 700 calories.

Canoeing or Kayaking: Up to 850 calories/hour

Getting out in a self-propelled boat on the open water and feeling the summer breeze in your hair is a wonderful way to communicate with nature while sneaking in a workout at the same time. Paddling a canoe or kayak at a moderate pace will burn off almost 500 calories/hour while picking up the pace a bit can net a calorie burn upwards of 850 calories/hour.

Frisbee: Up to 210 calories/hour

Nothing screams of summer quite like finding an open meadow and tossing a Frisbee back and forth with a friend. Turns out, it isn’t a bad way to add a little bit more exercise into your day. All that running, jumping, and wrist-flicking adds up to around 210 calories burned/hour.

Stay Strong,

Check the previous post: Flex Friday #6 No Time? No Excuse