One of the perks of living in Montana is that there are so many ways to be active and physically fit. As spring blossoms, so do the possibilities for getting outside and raising both your mood and your heart rate. Hiking, trail running, and mountain biking are now in season!
Outdoor activity is simply part of the Montana lifestyle, and there are a few simple ways to amp up your next trail adventure or walk in the park, building strength and endurance while you enjoy the beauty that comes with spring’s renewal.
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Outdoor activity is simply part of the Montana lifestyle, and there are a few simple ways to amp up your next trail adventure or walk in the park, building strength and endurance while you enjoy the beauty that comes with spring’s renewal.
1. Add a pack
One simple way to get more out of a hike is to load up your backpack. Many people do this in preparation for multi-day hikes, but it’s a great cardiovascular workout even if you have no interest in venturing into the backcountry. Most experts recommend starting with a lightweight and adding more over time, never going above one-third of your body weight.
2. Bring a furry friend
Everyone knows that working out is more fun with a friend, and your dog is never too busy for a good walk! You can work in some extra strength exercises, too: if your dog likes to play tug-of-war, get a thick, strong rope and practice your curls while your pooch hangs off the end. If your dog doesn’t mind being picked up, stop mid-walk and hold him while you do a set of squats or lunges. If you live in one of Montana’s rural communities, a nice, long road run might be just the thing for you and your pup.
3. Think non-traditional
When someone says “living in Montana,” a golf course property probably isn’t the first thing that comes to mind. But with more than 100 golf courses in the state, a fair number of Montanans could be getting a great workout on the links: golfers who leave their carts at the club walk about five miles during 18 holes of golf and burn about 2,000 calories. In a national poll, more adults report playing golf than any other sport, so it’s a workout already scheduled into many people’s lives.
Whether you plank on a trailside log or run sprints on a lakeshore with your dog, there are so many ways to get a great workout in Montana's great outdoors!
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