We get it. The gym can be an intimidating place. If you don’t feel comfortable working out in a small room with lots of other people, you only have to look outside to see that there are a wealth of weight loss opportunities here in Asheville. With such amazing outdoor amenities, the lack of a gym membership will never be an excuse for keeping on those extra pounds. Here are a few of our favorite outdoor exercise ideas:
Hiking
Hiking is a great, low-impact way to get in your exercise. Especially if you’re just starting out, you can pick trails that are appropriate for your fitness level, and go at your own pace. In addition to helping you maintain a healthy weight, hiking builds strength in your lower body, strengthens your core and improves your balance. Spending time outside and in the fresh air can also help your mental state as well. Go HERE for a list of trails in the Asheville area.
Running
If you’re looking for a great cardio workout, but hate being confined to a treadmill, you can always head out in your neighborhood street or trails. Running strengthens your muscles, bones and cardiovascular health. In a beautiful place like Asheville, it’s also a great way to take in some of the local scenery. Go HERE for a list of some scenic running trails.
Kayaking
You may think that kayaking is as simple as floating down a river, but in actuality, you can burn up to 4000 calories per hour! Kayaking tones and strengthens your back, chest, stomach and arms, and is a great fat burner. If you want to get started, try a trip with the Asheville Outdoor Center.
Mountain Biking
While you can certainly work up a great sweat biking on the road, Asheville’s mountain trails make it easy to go off-road instead. Mountain biking builds your lower body muscles, keeps your heart health and will shed extra weight. Go HERE to find some trails.
