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Staying active is a lifelong pursuit, and many of us choose to pursue health and fitness in a natural setting. Being outdoors is an ideal way to exercise. Best of all, studies show that regular exposure to nature improves mood. Whether it is forest, sunshine, water or the smells of plant life, nature and outdoor fitness are the ultimate combo for optimal health.
Outdoor fitness requires planning, since forays into the wilderness can lead to unexpected dangers. The two biggest threats to outdoor fitness enthusiasts are hypothermia and dehydration. Both of these dangers can be mitigated with common sense and the right gear.
Here we list the fundamentals of outdoor fitness routines and basic safety.
Running
When trail or urban running, the easiest approach is to know your route so you can travel light. Joggers don’t love being weighed down, and even lightweight hydration backpacks can be too much gear. To avoid this, choose a route that has plenty of shade protection and a reliable water source. In urban environments, consider personal safety and time of day.
If you choose to leave the well-trod paths, take the following: water, cash (a $5 bill is enough), a cell phone, and Hydration Multiplier. Running can take you far afield, so it’s vital to pack backup hydration. Hydration Multiplier can provide 2-3x the hydration of water alone, which can be a gamechanger when you’re packing light.
Cycling
Unlike runners, cyclists can carry gear. But when you are comfortable on a bicycle, it’s easy to forget that mechanical glitches do happen. Every bicycle should have a basic toolkit, at minimum Allen wrenches, and a way to change out flats. One inner tube and a park tool or basic repair kit store easily in an underseat bag.
In addition, cyclists and mountain bikers need a cell phone because, like runners, they may end up far from home. Water and a snack are common sense, and bringing food is even more vital on a bicycle while burning hundreds of calories is the norm. Finally, cyclists should consider stuffing rain gear into their hydration packs. Rain gear is a simple way to stay comfortable and protect against hypothermia.
Paddling
Sit on top and sit-inside kayaks can be surprisingly affordable, and city lakes are a great place to get started learning to paddle. Kayaks can also hold a lot of gear when you venture farther from home. We recommend taking the usual safety items: water, cell phone in a small dry bag, and a snack. Kayaking is much like bicycling and can be done for hours, so having some food on hand is wise. Keep your energy from dipping on long excursions with Energy Multiplier, our brand-new product combining Matcha, Guayusa, and Ginger with ~100 mg of caffeine. Space on kayaks allows for rain gear, plenty of water, and sun protection. We highly recommend a paddle leash and marking all dry bags with your phone number and email address.
Hiking
Hiking, like running, is more of a hassle with a heavy load but unlike runners, hikers revel in carrying safety gear. Hikers know that a stashed, ready daypack is the key to hitting the trail.
Daypack interior contents are debatable, but at the very least an extra hydration source like Hydration Multiplier is handy in case water runs out. Some type of base layer, rain gear or blanket is essential to help stave off too much sun or cold. Hats and sunscreen are prudent. Don’t forget to refresh the daypack snack pantry on each trip!
However you choose to exercise outdoors, be sure to plan ahead and pack well. Staying hydrated and keeping your energy steady are great hacks for fueling your forest frolic!