Desc: With each passing year, more and more people engage in outdoor sports. Want to be a part of this community? See the best outdoor activities.
Outdoor, outdoor sports, outdoor activities, outdoor sports activities, cycling gear, fishing gear, fishing equipment, sports gear
The quality of our life greatly depends on the activities we participate in. Engaging in outdoor activities is a great way to improve mental and physical health, get a slim body, spend quality time with friends and relatives, and explore wildlife. Learning something new is good for your cognitive development as well.
The pandemic has given rise to numerous problems. Lack of exercise due to lockdowns and resulting mental disorders have touched many people. On the other hand, such a drastic decline has also prompted them to engage in sports that they haven’t ever imagined themselves doing. In 2020, the number of people participating in outdoor activities increased compared to 2019.
If you want to make improvements in your life but haven’t yet decided on the activity, we are glad to provide you with some recommendations and advice on sports gear you may need.
Cycling
Many people perceive cycling as a leisure activity, but it also positively impacts health if you take it up a little. Besides, it’s a great way to commute. In fact, cycling can be faster than driving a car in some environments, especially during rush hour. Cycling allows you to save money on gas and reduce car exhaust emissions if you care about the ecology.
You can take your bike to the city and ride at a moderate pace. Even moving slowly, you can burn up to 200 calories an hour. And if you want real exercise, you can increase the speed and take rides in a hilly country. Thus, you can burn up to 500 calories.
Cycling strengthens your joints, develops lower body muscles, and is beneficial to your cardiovascular health. It also improves balance and coordination.
Cycling can take more extreme forms if you are a thrill-seeker. Mountain biking is a hormone-shaking activity that is more intense on your body. Of course, it’s not a beginner’s sport, but you can move on to this when you improve your balance and gain stamina.
As far as cycling gear is concerned, a beginner will only need a bike and a helmet (if you plan to ride on auto-roads or simply want head protection). Optional equipment can include knee and elbow guards, gloves, multi-tools, bottle cages, and handlebar bags. You can also upgrade your bike with a more comfortable saddle, supportive and grippy pedals, and tires built for better traction.
Golf
At first glance, golf may seem dull and not-so-much-exercising. But it’s not true. The positive impact on your physical condition is cumulative and becomes evident over time. Golf implies a lot of moving from one spot to another. You can take a golf cart and make it faster, but your body will benefit from nothing. Or you can walk your rounds and exercise.
In fact, walking is a new trend in golf. More and more golfers reject golf carts and prefer to move afoot. Today, walking is even more enjoyable due to lightweight carry bags. Depending on the time spent strolling between shots, you can burn up to 300 calories per hour and don’t feel the pressure of a workout.
The basic set of golf equipment includes balls, clubs, ball markers, tees, and a golf bag. Today’s beginners can accelerate their learning process and use aiding devices such as rangefinders. Most golf rangefinders have a slope feature that calculates the exact distance to the flag, accounting for elevation difference.
Fishing
While many amateurs see it as relaxing leisure, fishing can be an effort-rich, exciting, and even adventurous outdoor activity. Well, there is nothing wrong with relaxation because we all need something that helps to escape from routine. But if you like fishing and want to take it to a higher level, it will benefit you even more.
Boat fishing means paddling around in search of a better fishing spot. When paddling, you work your upper body out. Fighting a fish requires a developed sense of balance and full-body strength. Moderately intensive sessions can help you burn around 200 calories per hour, while engaged in deep-sea fishing, you can burn up to 400 calories per hour.
As a beginner, you don’t need lots of fishing gear. The basic set of fishing equipment and accessories includes a rod, reel, line, bobbers, sinkers, hooks, and lures.
Wilderness Activities
Wilderness activities include hiking, backpacking, camping, caving, mountaineering, kayaking, and other outdoor sports. These are all great ways to explore the wild corners of nature and test your body and survival skills.
You can engage in wilderness activities with other people and, thus, develop teamwork skills and socialize. Camping and hiking are great family activities while caving and mountaineering can be more demanding and adventurous. Being outdoors is also good for mental health.
Wilderness activities imply a lot of walking on various terrains. Depending on the efforts applied, you can burn up to 500 calories an hour.
Each activity varies in gear. But what you need to buy in the first place is hiking footwear and clothing. Proper apparel and boots will protect you against the elements and weather. Other gear and equipment may include backpacks, tents, sleeping bags, multi-tools, flashlights, and axes.
Swimming
Swimming is very beneficial for your health, and swimming outdoors can be an even more rewarding experience. Swimming is a full-body exercise because all the muscle groups are engaged. Due to cold water, your body generates more energy to warm it. Thus, you burn even more calories. An hour of moderate-intensity swimming burns up to 450 calories. And after the session, you won’t be feeling as exhausted as after running or cycling.
If you want to vary your swimming experience, you can gear up to explore the underseas. Snorkeling equipment includes only a mask with a snorkel and fins. Scuba diving requires far more resources, but, at the same time, it’s a more exciting activity.
Paintball
If you like weapons and tactics but detest violence, you may find paintball an appealing activity. In the late 1990s and early 2000s, paintball was on the rise, but as the paintball gear was bulky and expensive, many enthusiasts gave it up. Fortunately, manufacturers didn’t. So modern paintball players can enjoy affordable equipment for beginners, more compact markers, and low-impact paintballs.
During paintball sessions, your whole body engages in various exercises. Your legs work while you run, crawl, and squat. Holding and drawing a marker and aiming works out your biceps and triceps, which increases arm strength.
Skating
Ice skating, roller skating, and skateboarding are great activities to improve balance and coordination. And you can do it even faster than when cycling because skating has a greater effect on your core body muscles.
Engaging in any of the mentioned activities, you gain muscular strength without causing pressure on joints. Depending on your weight and intensity, skating helps to burn 350-500 calories an hour.
In addition to the main gear (ice/roller skates or skateboard), you may need a helmet and guards.
Outdoor activities have a very positive impact on our lives, making our bodies fitter and minds healthier. So don’t be shy. Go out and live life to the fullest.