The benefits of hiking are not a secret to most people.
Not only is it a great way to stay fit, but also a way to experience the beauty of nature.
However, many people have the notion that once the temperature drops and the snow begins to set in, hiking season is over.
The truth is that hiking during the winter is actually more beneficial to your body than you might think.
This is especially important given the fact that we tend to stay indoors for the majority of the season, in an effort to avoid the winter cold.
There are a few benefits that might convince you to embrace the cold for a good hike this winter season.
More Calories Burned
Winter hiking can be an efficient workout.
People who hike during winter conditions burn about 34 percent more calories than people who hike in more comfortable weather.
This is because the cold triggers the body to burn more calories in an attempt to regulate body temperature.
Couple this with the fact that you’re also exerting physical effort during the hike and you’re burning a lot calories per movement.
Muscle Hypertrophy
As with other outdoor physical activities, winter hiking facilitates muscle growth through the repetitive flexing and extending of various muscle groups.
This is even more true when trekking steep inclines, which are sure to burn your quads.
However, the effects differ between men and women, with women enjoying better results because the fat stored in their body is more likely to be used up before that of males, which means that there is less muscle breakdown.
Prolonged Fat-Burning
Not only does immersing yourself in a cold environment cause your body to burn more calories, but it sustains the fat-burning effect long after you’ve finished your hike.
This is because when your body is exposed to cold weather, it produces brown fat, which is full of calorie-dissolving mitochondria.
Hormone Triggers
Besides the physiological benefits of winter hiking, there are also psychological benefits, particularly when you reach the peak of the hill or mountain you’re attempting to climb.
When your body is exposed to sunlight, this triggers your body’s ability to produce mood-boosting vitamin D.
It also triggers the production of various feel-good neurotransmitters such as dopamine and serotonin that are responsible for regulating a person’s mood.
Neurotransmitters also affect how people are able to cope with other problems, like Anorexia Nervosa and its underlying problems.
Despite the cold, winter brings so many fun activities with it.
With so many things to do, it’s strange to feel the need to stay indoors when there is a variety of fun and adventure waiting to be had outside your door.
But even as you brave the lower temperatures, always prioritize safety.
Your primary form of protection against the cold will always be proper outdoor clothing, like the selection at Kryptek.
Have fun, stay safe, and most importantly, stay fit during the winter.