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Ask any health expert and they will tell you that exercise is a cornerstone of a healthy lifestyle. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, getting enough physical activity could prevent one in 10 premature deaths. It can also reduce stress levels, improve sleep and leave us feeling happy. But when it comes to being more active, many of us don’t know where to start. While some people love lifting weights at the gym and training to run marathons, these strenuous activities aren’t for everyone. In fact, just spending time outdoors has been shown to improve overall health. Below you’ll find examples of leisure activities and fun things to do outside that will inspire you to be more active. Recreational Activities You Can Do For Free: Hiking (Credit: Jacob Lund/Shutterstock)Recreational Activities You Can Do For FreeThese recreational activities do not require you to purchase or rent equipment, or pay fees. HikingA hiking trip doesn’t have to involve a 10-mile trek up a steep mountain. The United States features thousands of acres of parkland traversed by paths that cater to all difficulty levels. To find hiking trails near you, try AllTrails.com, where you can search for paths based on location, difficulty level and length. Check out our hiking packing list to make sure you have everything you need to tackle the trail. YogaIf you think you won’t break a sweat practicing yoga, think again. This practice is ideal if you’re looking to increase your flexibility, relieve soreness and improve your mood. The best part: You don’t need to join an expensive yoga studio to practice. You can find instructional videos for all skill levels for free on YouTube. SwimmingWhether you have access to a swimming pool or live near a lake, swimming is a great way to stay fit (and stay cool). Swimming elevates your heart rate and helps tone your muscles the same way running does, but without the stress on your joints. If you don’t feel comfortable swimming laps, you can also try water aerobics, or simply treading water. FrisbeeYes, you will need to purchase a Frisbee if you don’t already have one. But after that initial expense, you will have a wide variety of recreational activities to choose from. Play a simple game of catch with someone else, or get a group together for a raucous game of Disc Golf or Ultimate Frisbee. GardeningStudies show that gardening can greatly reduce stress levels. What’s more, you can save money at the grocery store by growing your own herbs and vegetables. If you don’t have your own space to garden at home, see if your home town has a community garden. You can also spruce up a small space with window flower boxes. Other Recreational Activities You Can Do For Free
Recreational Activities That Require Special EquipmentThese recreational activities require special equipment, or you may need to pay a fee or purchase a ticket. Skiing and SnowboardingWhen the weather turns cold, take to the slopes. Both activities provide the opportunity to raise your heart rate and exercise your muscles while providing an unforgettable adrenaline rush. Find the right ski resort for you on our list of the best ski resorts in the USA. If you don’t have your own equipment, you can rent skis and snowboards on site. SurfingSurfing is an excellent form of exercise. It strengthens nearly all the muscles in your body, challenges your balance, and works your heart and lungs. This activity also provides an opportunity to exercise your mind, as it requires extreme focus and determination. For a less extreme ocean sport, try boogie boarding. GolfMastering the game of golf requires years of practice. But if you make the commitment, you find yourself rewarded not only with a killer short game, but also a strong community of fellow players. If you’re just starting out, consider signing up for lessons. And if you’re not sure the game is right for you, test it out with friends at a miniature golf course or a TopGolf facility. CampingA change of scenery can be the best way to clear your head and unwind. Combine the benefits of a getaway with those of recreational activity by going camping. You will need to invest in some gear, like a tent, sleeping bags, camping chairs and outdoor cookware. But these initial purchases will lend themselves to years of budget-friendly vacations. BoatingWhether you prefer to sail on a tranquil lake, canoe down a peaceful river, or kayak on rolling ocean waves, boating can easily become a lifelong passion. While frequent participation in other recreational activities on this list may require you to purchase your own gear for comfort, you can easily become a regular boater by renting canoes, kayaks and sailboats. Other Recreational Activities That Require Special Equipment
Recreational Activities That Require Professional GuidesTo try these activities, you should enlist the help of a professional guide, or take lessons. Horseback RidingWhen it comes to more adventurous leisure activities, horseback riding is on the laid-back end. But you still shouldn’t hop in the saddle without first consulting an experienced rider. If you’ve never ridden before, sign up for a guided trail ride. Even if you have experience, you would benefit from talking with a professional about the specific horse’s traits. SkydivingThis once-in-a-lifetime activity cannot be undertaken without first making the leap with a professional. Many first-time skydivers participate in a tandem jump, where they are strapped to an instructor who wears and controls the parachute. Some skydiving operators allow newbies to wear their own parachute, but you will still be accompanied by professionals. CavingIf you are interested in geology, caving (also known as spelunking ) may be the ideal recreational activity for you. But don’t even think about heading below ground by yourself. Join an experienced spelunker for your first few outings. Not only will this help you avoid getting lost or injured, but you’ll learn more quickly about the activity. Scuba DivingYou won’t be able to go scuba diving on your own until you become PADI certified. If you’re planning to try scuba diving while on vacation, you can take classes and get certified before your trip at one of many accredited scuba schools found throughout the USA. Many vacation destinations and resorts also offer lessons, allowing you to learn while also enjoying marine life. Rock-ClimbingRock-climbing exercises your entire body, and will leave you with a strong sense of accomplishment. What’s more, this activity can be done both indoors and out, with many gyms featuring climbing walls. If you are new to climbing, you should sign up for a lesson with a professional. An experienced climber can show you how to properly secure your safety equipment, and how to improve your form to maximize each movement. Other Recreational Activities That Require Professional Guides
More Recommended Camping in the Kullu District of Himachal Pradesh, IndiaOutdoor recreation or outdoor activity refers to recreation done outside, most commonly in natural settings. The activities that encompass outdoor recreation vary depending on the physical environment they are being carried out in. These activities can include fishing, hunting, backpacking, and horseback riding — and can be completed individually or collectively. Outdoor recreation is a broad concept that encompasses a varying range of activities and landscapes. Outdoor recreation is typically pursued for purposes of physical exercise, general wellbeing, and spiritual renewal.[1] While a wide variety of outdoor recreational activities can be classified as sports, they do not all demand that a participant be an athlete. Rather, it is the collectivist idea[2] that is at the fore in outdoor recreation, as outdoor recreation does not necessarily encompass the same degree of competitiveness or rivalry that is embodied in sporting matches or championships. Competition generally is less stressed than in organized individual or team sports.[a] When the activity involves exceptional excitement, physical challenge, or risk, it is sometimes referred to as "adventure recreation" or "adventure training", rather than an extreme sport. Other traditional examples of outdoor recreational activities include hiking, camping, mountaineering, cycling, dog walking, canoeing, caving, kayaking, rafting, rock climbing, running, sailing, skiing, sky diving and surfing. As new pursuits, often hybrids of prior ones, emerge, they gain their own identities, such as coasteering, canyoning, fastpacking, and plogging. Lungomare of Barcola in Trieste in the direction Miramare Castle, a place for urban outdoor recreationIn many cities, recreational areas for various outdoor activities are created for the population.[3] These include natural parks, parks, playgrounds, sports facilities but also areas with free sea access such as the beach area of Venice Beach in California, the Promenade des Anglais in Nice or the waterfront of Barcola in Trieste. PurposeWhitewater raftingOutdoor recreation involves any kind of activity within an outdoor environment.[4] Outdoor recreation can include established sports, and individuals can participate without association with teams, competitions or clubs.[5] Activities include backpacking, canoeing, canyoning, caving, climbing, hiking, hill walking, hunting, kayaking, and rafting.[6] Broader groupings include water sports, snow sports, and horseback riding.[6] People engage in physical activity outdoors as a form of recreation.[7] Various physical activities can be completed individually or communally.[8] Sports which are mainly played indoors or other settings such as fields are able to transition to an outdoor setting for recreational and non-competitive purposes. Outdoor physical activities can help people learn new skills, test stamina and endurance, and participate in social activities.[9][10] Outdoor activities are also frequently used as a setting for education and team building.[11] List of activitiesMountain biker in Levin, New Zealand
ExamplesTrekkingTrekkers in Gorbea park, south of Biscay in Basque Country, SpainTrekking can be understood as an extended walk and involves day hikes, overnight or extended hikes. An example of a day trek is hiking during the day and returning at night to a lodge for a hot meal and a comfortable bed. Physical preparation for trekking includes cycling, swimming, jogging and long walks. Trekking requires experience with basic survival skills, first aid, and orienteering when going for extended hikes or staying out overnight. Mountain bikingThe activity of mountain biking involves steering a mountain cycle over rocky tracks and around boulder-strewn paths. Mountain bikes or ATBs (all-terrain bikes) feature a rugged frame and fork. Their frames are often built of aluminum so they are lightweight and stiff, making them efficient to ride.[12] Many styles of mountain biking are practiced, including all mountain, downhill, trials, dirt jumping, trail riding, and cross country.[13] The latter two are the most common.[14] Balance, core strength, and endurance are all physical traits that are required to go mountain biking. Riders also need bike handling skills and the ability to make basic repairs to their bikes. More advanced mountain biking involves technical descents such as down hilling and free riding. CanyoningCanyoning at Sundarijal, Kathmandu, NepalCanyoning is an activity which involves climbing, descending, jumping and trekking through canyons. The sport originates from caving and involves both caving and climbing techniques. Canyoning often includes descents that involve rope work, down-climbing, or jumps that are technical in nature. Canyoning is frequently done in remote and rugged settings and often requires navigational, route-finding and other wilderness skills. EducationOutdoor education in the United StatesEducation is also a popular focus of outdoor activity. University outdoor recreation programs are becoming more popular in the United States. Studies have show that outdoor recreation programs can be beneficial to a students well-being and stress levels in terms of calming and soothing the mind.[15] Universities in the United States often offer indoor rock climbing walls, equipment rental, ropes courses and trip programming.[16] A few universities give degrees in adventure recreation, which aims to teach graduates how to run businesses in the field of adventure recreation. Outdoor education in the United KingdomIn the UK, the house of commons' Education and Skills Committee supports outdoor education. The committee encourages fieldwork projects since it helps in the development of ‘soft’ skills and social skills, particularly in hard to reach children. These activities can also take place on school trips, on visits in the local community or even on the school grounds.[17] Outdoor enthusiastTheodore Roosevelt was a noted outdoorsman, conservationist, and big-game hunter Author and sportsman Ernest Hemingway was a record-holding trophy fisherman, seen here with several marlins caught on a trip to Bimini in 1935Outdoor enthusiast and outdoorsy are terms for a person who enjoys outdoor recreation. The terms outdoorsman, sportsman, woodsman, or bushman have also been used to describe someone with an affinity for the outdoors. Some famous outdoor enthusiasts include U.S. president Teddy Roosevelt, Robert Baden-Powell, Ernest Hemingway, Ray Mears, Bear Grylls, Doug Peacock, Richard Wiese, Kenneth "Speedy" Raulerson, Earl Shaffer, Jo Gjende, Saxton Pope, Randy Stoltmann, Christopher Camuto, Eva Shockey, Jim Shockey, Henry Pittock, Eddie Bauer, Gaylord DuBois, Euell Gibbons, Clay Perry, Arthur Hasketh Groom, Bill Jordan, and Corey Ford. Some pioneering female outdoor enthusiasts include Mary Seacole, Isabella Bird, Emma Rowena Gatewood, Claire Marie Hodges, Mina Benson Hubbard, Beryl Markham, Freya Stark, Margaret Murie, Celia Hunter, Rachel Carson, Terry Tempest Williams, Marjory Stoneman Douglas, Ruth Dyar Mendenhall,[18] and Arlene Blum. Sparsely populated areas with mountains, lakes, rivers, scenic views, and rugged terrain are popular with outdoor enthusiasts. In the United States, state parks and national parks offer campgrounds and opportunities for recreation of the sort. In the UK, all of rural Scotland and all those areas of England and Wales designated as "right to roam" areas are available for outdoor enthusiasts on foot. Some areas are also open to mountain bikers and to horse riders. Outdoor recreation and cuisineCulinary techniques and foods popular with outdoor enthusiasts include dutch ovens, grilling, cooking over "open fires" (often with rock fire rings), fish fries, granola, and trail mix (sometimes referred to as GORP for "good old raisins and peanuts"). International and National Outdoor Recreation DaysNationally and internationally, a number of days have been designated for the outdoors.
SynonymsBBC uses the word «free-luftz-leev» as a synonym for outdoor recreation in Scandinavia.[19] See also
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