Fitness enthusiasts around the world have been increasingly seeking to engage in outdoor physical activities to burn calories and stay healthy.

Physical activities, in general, promote physical and mental well-being, improve cognitive function and reduce the risk of chronic diseases. The outdoors, on the other hand, provide an excellent way to connect with nature, relieve stress and boost mood, making it an ideal spot for engaging in physical activities.

Here are the top five outdoor physical activities that can help you burn major calories:.

1. Running

Running is one of the best outdoor activities to burn calories and keep fit. It is an effective aerobic exercise that helps improve cardiovascular health and burn calories.

An average person can burn up to 500 calories by running for 30 minutes at a moderate pace. Running improves muscle tone, boosts metabolism and strengthens bones and joints. It also gives an excellent opportunity to explore new outdoor locations and socialize with other runners.

2. Cycling

Cycling is another great outdoor activity that can help burn major calories. It is easy on the joints and can be performed by individuals of all ages and fitness levels.

Cycling engages multiple muscle groups, including the leg muscles, abdominals, and upper body. It helps improve cardiovascular health, burn calories and boost mood. An individual cycling at a moderate pace can burn up to 300-500 calories per hour, depending on their weight and the intensity of the exercise.

3. Hiking

Hiking is an outdoor activity that combines physical exercise with nature exploration. It involves walking on trails, hills or mountains, which helps improve cardiovascular health, burn calories and enhance mental well-being.

Hiking engages various muscle groups, including leg muscles, abdominals, back as well as the upper body muscles. An individual hiking at a moderate pace can burn up to 400-700 calories per hour, depending on the intensity of the hike and the individual’s weight.

4. Swimming

Swimming is a low-impact outdoor activity that can help burn major calories while building endurance and strength. It engages the whole body muscles, including the arm, leg and core muscles, making it an excellent total body workout.

Swimming is also gentle on the joints, making it suitable for individuals with joint problems or injuries. An individual swimming at a moderate pace can burn up to 400-500 calories per hour, depending on their weight and the intensity of the exercise.

5. High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT)

HIIT is a type of outdoor workout that involves alternating high-intensity exercises with periods of rest or low-intensity activities.

HIIT is an effective way to burn major calories in a short period of time while improving cardiovascular health, building endurance, and boosting metabolism. An individual performing HIIT activities such as burpees, jumping jacks, jumping squats, and mountain climbers, can burn up to 300-500 calories per 30 minutes, depending on their weight and the intensity of the exercise.

Conclusion

Engaging in outdoor physical activities is an excellent way to stay healthy, burn major calories and improve overall well-being.

The outdoors provide a perfect place to explore new locations, connect with nature, relieve stress, and boost mood while performing physical activities. Running, cycling, hiking, swimming, and HIIT are some of the top outdoor physical activities that can help burn major calories.

It is recommended that individuals consult with their healthcare provider or fitness instructor before starting any physical activity program.