6 Ways To Get A Better Cardio Workout During Your Next Hike

Your weekend workout options: hitting the dreadmill for yet another subpar solo run or tackling the trails with your best friend to go exploring on a hike. If you’re feeling groggy or mega stressed out, you may want to opt for the hike. Not only is hiking super beneficial for your mental wellbeing, according to research by the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the U.S., but it’s also bomb for your bod. 

“With varying terrain and constant changes in elevation, hiking is essentially an interval workout within itself,” says trainer Jonathan Amato, C.S.C.S. “Plus, it’s significantly lower impact on your joints—like the knees and hips—compared to the repetitive pounding you get with running.”

Still, a social hike with friends can sometimes feel a bit more like a leisurely stroll than an intense sweat sesh. Want to take your next date with nature to a whole other level? We’ve got you covered. Amato shares six ways to get a better cardio workout during your next hike.