Fitness is not only done inside a gym. The great outdoors is one of the best places to keep yourself fit and healthy. Some people think they’re going to have to miss working out because they’re going camping, but this could not be farther from the truth. You can still keep yourself fit no matter where you are. You could be inside your house, at a park, the beach, or even the forest. It really does not matter as long as you can find a routine that will work for you and the environment you are in at the moment.

Camping can be a great way to enjoy the outdoors and connect with nature while also getting some exercise. There are many things you can do when camping to improve your fitness, including hiking, swimming, kayaking, and biking. These activities can provide a full-body workout and help you build strength, endurance, and cardiovascular fitness. You can also incorporate bodyweight exercises like push-ups, squats, and lunges into your camping routine to help maintain muscle strength and tone. Additionally, taking breaks from sitting around the campfire to go for a walk or jog can help increase your daily physical activity levels and improve your overall fitness.

So, if you’re planning a camping trip, don’t forget all the necessary tools you need to survive outdoors, including sturdy hammocks for camping and some of these workout routines.

Cardio and strengthening exercises when possible:

  • Running
  • Hiking
  • Swimming
  • Biking
  • Kayaking

There are camp sites where you can rent gears such as a bike, kayak or swimming gears. However, if these are not available, you can stick to running or swimming if you are near a body of water. Below are some routines you can do to build muscle and burn calories:

  1. Pull-ups using a tree branch. If you are camping in an area with lots of trees, it’s possible to tone your upper body with pull-ups. Walk around and look for a tree branch that is roughly the size of a pull-up bar. You can’t use a thinner branch because it might not be able to hold your body weight. Grab unto the tree branch with your palms facing away from you and start pulling your body up while keeping it straight. This strengthens your back and arm muscles.
  2. Squats using a large stone. Lugging dumbbells when you’re travelling is not ideal no matter how much you love working out using them. If you think simply using your body weight is not going to cut it, you can improvise by searching for a rock that weighs almost the same as the dumbbells you use at home. Of course, it will not be the exact weight, but you will have the equipment that you need. You can carry your workout gloves with you if you’re worried about your hands.

    Hold the rock close to your chest or you can simply hug it, stand with your feet apart, and do squat exercises just like you would at the gym.
  3. Step up. Step up is great if you want to strengthen your front thigh. All you need is to find a large log or a tree branch that has fallen. Make sure that the log or tree branch is heavy enough and stable on the ground before you start your exercise. You wouldn’t want to fall and hurt yourself should the log roll off when you’re in the middle of your workout. If you want to challenge yourself some more, find a rock that is not too heavy so you can do a weighted step up.

    Step on the log with one foot and instead of immediately placing the other foot on the log, extend it behind you so you also engage your glutes. Do 15 reps on the same leg before you change to the other leg.
  4. Squat jumps over a log. Squat jumps are easy. You do an air squat and when you come up, you jump. This is a great outdoor cardio workout if you don’t want to go running or if running is not ideal in the terrain you are camping at. You can modify the squat jump using a log to increase your heartbeat some more, which will eventually let you burn more calories.

    Make sure that the ground where the log is located is almost flat and there are no stones that could injure you. Do two air squats and, when you are about to complete the second squat, do a tuck jump over the log.
  5. Chest press. If you think you can do a chest press only inside a gym, you should think again. Find two rocks of almost the same weight and size. Make sure that you can hold these rocks in your hands. Next, find a large log that is sturdy enough for you to lie on. Hold the rocks near your chest and start doing chest presses by extending your arms.

Conclusion

There are so many ways that you can work out no matter where you are. You simply need to use your imagination and always remember your safety. Camping in the great outdoors or at the beach is an excellent use of your time, and you and your family will surely love it. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t take care of your health while you’re out having fun.