Trekking and Hiking : Best alternative for Gym and Jumba

Introduction

For maintaining physical fitness, people often go to gyms and Zumba classes but there is specific best alternative for Gym and Jumba. Sticking with a regular exercise routine can be a challenge. However, engaging in regular physical activity has more benefits than just the ones you can see. However, trekking offers a fantastic alternative that combines physical exercise with the beauty of advonture. This blog explores the various aspects of trekking as an excellent substitute for gym and Zumba workouts, focusing on the physical and mental benefits it provides.

Trekking: A Comprehensive Workout

Hiking

Hiking is a less intense form of trekking and is that involves walking on trails or paths through natural environments. Instead of going for a trek for 10-12 days hiking is all about going for a day or a two. It is an excellent way to start exploring the great outdoors and gradually build stamina. According to Harvard Health, hiking can burn between 430-480 calories per hour, depending on the intensity and the hiker’s weight.

Trekking

Trekking involves walking long distances over several days, often in adventurous terrains. It requires a higher level of fitness and endurance compared to hiking and provides a full-body workout. In Trekking several days are required to pass the terrain. A typical trekking day can burn between 2,000-2,500 calories. Additionally, trekking improves cardiovascular health, builds muscle strength, and enhances balance and coordination. Trekking boardens our mind. Body releases serotonin after a long trek which is benificial for our physical health.

Trekking with a Bike

Trekking with a bike combines cycling with traditional trekking. There are different trials which are for cycling. It adds an extra dimension of physical challenge, as cyclists navigate rugged trails and steep climbs, making it a vigorous cardiovascular exercise. Trekking with a bike can cover more distance and more adventurous than the normal traditional trekking. Biking on trails can burn between 600-800 calories per hour, depending on the terrain and the cyclist’s effort.

Best Countries for Trekking

Nepal

Nepal is famous for mountains. People often call Nepal a trekking paradise, home to some of the world’s most famous trekking routes.

Everest base camp: This iconic trek Everest base camp offers breathtaking views of Mount Everest and is a must-do for adventure enthusiasts. The trek spans approximately 130 kilometers (round trip) and takes about 12-14 days to complete. People from all over the world visit Everest Base camp to see the highest peak of the world from close distance.

Annapurna Base Camp: This trek takes you through dense forests, terraced fields, and high-altitude cold deserts. The trek covers around 115 kilometers and typically takes 7-10 days depending upon the package you take. There are different packages you can explore at racealpine.com depending upon the criteria you have.

Manaslu Region: The trek is with no crowd and very remote, the Manaslu trek offers an authentic trekking experience with stunning scenery. The circuit is about 177 kilometers long and takes roughly 14-16 days to complete.

India

India offers a variety of trekking routes across different places, from the Himalayas in the north to the Western Ghats in the south.

Popular treks includes

Markha Valley in Ladakh

the Roopkund Trek in Uttarakhand

Nilgiri Hills in Tamil Nadu

Pakistan

Pakistan’s Karakoram Range is home to some of the most challenging and rewarding treks, including routes to the base camp of K2, the second-highest mountain in the world. This is a tough but rewarding trek, with many days being spent on the rugged, tumbled glacier as you head up to ‘Concordia’ where the Baltoro and the Godwin-Austen glaciers converge in a beauty and simplicity of ice and rock. The Baltoro Glacier trek, leading to Concordia and K2 Base Camp, covers approximately 150 kilometers and takes about 15-20 days.

Bhutan

Popular Trekking Routes

Druk Path Trek: The Druk Path Trek connects Paro and Thimphu valleys, passing through beautiful rhododendron forests, high mountain passes, and serene lakes.

Jomolhari Trek: This trek offers stunning views of Mount Jomolhari and traverses through remote villages, high pastures, and ancient dzongs (fortresses).

Snowman Trek: This trek is Known as one of the most challenging treks in the world, it takes trekkers through some of Bhutan’s most remote and unspoiled new virgins regions, which crosses 11 high passes over 4,500 meters.

Trekking and Mental Fitness

Trekking is not just a physical activity; it also has significant mental health benefits. The combination of physical exertion, fresh air, and natural beauty can help reduce stress, improve mood, and enhance overall mental well-being. According to a study published in Environmental Science & Technology, being in nature can lower cortisol levels and increase serotonin levels, reduce anxiety, and boost cognitive function. The sense of achievement from completing a challenging trek can also boost self-esteem and mental resilience and it will be the experience of the life time.

Oxygen Therapy

Exercising in the open air, especially at higher altitudes, provides a natural form of oxygen therapy. Higher altitudes have lower oxygen levels, which forces the body to work harder to maintain oxygen supply, thereby improving cardiovascular health and endurance and beneficial in the long run. This natural oxygen therapy is one of the key benefits of trekking over indoor workouts. Studies have shown that training at altitude can increase red blood cell count and improve oxygen-carrying capacity, enhancing athletic performance and overall fitness.

Trees and Mountains vs. Gym Space

The natural environment of trees and mountains offers a more stimulating and varied workout space compared to the confined area of a gym. The uneven terrain and natural obstacles found in outdoor trekking provide a more dynamic and comprehensive workout, engaging different muscle groups and improving balance and coordination. Additionally, exposure to nature has been linked to numerous health benefits, including lower blood pressure, improved mood, and enhanced immune function.

Gym and Zumba vs. Trekking: A Comparative Analysis

Heart Health

Trekking provides a sustained cardiovascular workout, which can significantly improve heart health. The varied intensity of trekking, with uphill climbs and descents, offers a more comprehensive cardiovascular challenge than the consistent pace of gym workouts or Zumba classes. According to the American Heart Association, regular cardiovascular exercise can reduce the risk of heart disease, lower blood pressure, and improve cholesterol levels.

Oxygen Levels

Trekking in high-altitude regions improves the body’s ability to utilize oxygen efficiently, enhancing overall fitness. In contrast, indoor gym workouts and Zumba classes do not offer the same oxygen-rich environment and associated benefits. High-altitude training has been shown to increase VO2 max (maximum oxygen uptake), which is a key indicator of cardiovascular fitness.

Stress Medicine

Trekking’s combination of physical exertion and immersion in nature makes it an excellent way to reduce stress. The natural surroundings and sense of adventure provide a mental escape from daily life, something that gym and Zumba workouts, confined to indoor spaces, cannot fully replicate. Research indicates that physical activity in natural environments is associated with greater stress reduction and mental well-being compared to indoor exercise.

Trekking is an excellent alternative to gym and Zumba workouts, offering numerous physical and mental health benefits. Whether it’s hiking, traditional trekking, or trekking with a bike, the varied terrain and natural beauty make trekking a comprehensive and enjoyable way to stay fit. The benefits extend beyond physical fitness to include improved mental well-being and natural oxygen therapy. For those looking to combine adventure with fitness, trekking in countries like Nepal, India, Pakistan, and Bhutan provides an experience that lasts for the lifetime.

Trip planned by Race Alpine Treks and Tours

Banasthali, Kathmandu, Nepal

for more info

whatsapp : 977-9851356749, 977-9851356748

website : www.racealpine.com

email : contact@racealpine.com

For more hiking and trekking ideas:

Hiking and trekking in Nepal : Experience the wilderness in Nepal

https://www.racealpine.com/hiking-and-trekking-in-nepal/

Nepal motorcycle tour: Explore the adventure

https://www.racealpine.com/nepal-motorcycle-tour/

Nepal visiting wildest dream

https://www.racealpine.com/nepal-visiting-wildest-dream/