Snowshoeing is a great way to spend a winter’s day. It is fun, it is exciting, it connects you to nature, and it is a great workout. It was originally invented as a means of travel, and it is still used in that capacity today. However, many people do it for recreational purposes today and to get the health benefits. Here are some of the top health benefits of snowshoeing.
Helps you Burn Calories
With snowshoeing, you can burn a lot of calories. In fact, if you snowshoe for an hour, you will burn between 450-1000 calories. This is twice the amount of calories that you would burn if you walked for the same amount of time. This makes it an excellent way to lose weight. Many people gain weight during the winter because it is very cold and they stay indoors rather than get outside and be active. So, this can absolutely help people to prevent gaining weight in winter or to shed a lot of pounds if they have.
Good for Cardiovascular Health
This is a great cardiovascular exercise, which means that it is excellent for cardiovascular health. Through snowshoeing, you can keep your heart healthy and strong, you can increase your lung capacity, and you can reduce your chance of developing high blood pressure, heart disease, high cholesterol, and obesity.
Helps Tone your Muscles
Not only does snowshoeing help you to burn fat, but it will also help you to tone your muscles. This is especially true for your quads, your hamstrings, and your calves, as these muscles are heavily used in the activity of snowshoeing. It is also great for your core. So, if you are looking to get more toned during the winter season, try snowshoeing.
Image Courtesy of Shutterstock