There are many benefits to mountain climbing. Cool fresh air, stunning natural scenery and exercise are just some of the things that you can expect from this type of activity. And because the terrain is always changing it will challenge both your physical fitness and mental toughness. For those who love adventure, mountains offer a real rush!
There are several types of mountain climbs including those that involve rock climbing and those that rely on crampons (spikes fixed to boots) and ice axes. Climbing steep hills or mountains can be exhausting, but it’s also one of the best ways to stay fit and healthy.
Use this workout as a guide for your next mountain climb:
Table of Contents
Warm Up
Start by jogging in place, doing toe touches and light stretches. Finish with a few minutes of jumping rope or running in place to get your heart pumping.
Cardio
Run up the mountain slopes for 20-30 minutes at a steady pace that gets harder as you go higher. You can vary your speed but don’t stop unless you really have to catch your breath.
Toning
This is the time to tone and sculpt! Squats, push-ups, crunches and calf raises all work well during this phase. A quick note on the crunches: try not to bend your neck forward or back but just up and down in little “c” motions.
Distance Running
Continue your hill climb and run to the top of the mountain. Once you get up there, slow down and catch your breath! Take a break and enjoy the beautiful surroundings. Sometimes stopping for a drink or snack is not an option so try to plan ahead and pack some food and water just in case you need to refuel on the go.
Pick up the pace again and run back down the mountain, remembering to keep your knees high! This is also a good time for sprints so speed up or slow down as you like.
Endurance Training
For this phase, set yourself an interval training goal (like every 5 minutes) to run up the hill for 30-60 seconds at a time. Then turn around and walk back down to recover. Aim to complete 3-5 of these intervals depending on how fit you are or how long your mountain hike is scheduled for.
Cool Down
Stretch out after your workout, paying particular attention to legs, hamstrings, hips and glutes. Be sure to drink plenty of water and eat a balanced meal or snack as soon as you get back from your mountain hike.
So there you have it, a great way to keep fit and healthy by mountain climbing! Whether you enjoy long treks or short walks, this kind of exercise has something for everyone. You can even go mountain biking for a fun way to mix up your routine.
Have fun, stay safe and enjoy the fresh air!
How many mountain climbers is good for a workout?
Good to do it 3 times a week and take 1-2 days rest between each workout session.
Is climbing a mountain good exercise?
Oh yes! It’s great exercise. You’ll definitely get a lot out of it, I highly recommend it.
Is mountain climbing good for weight loss?
I wouldn’t say ‘good’ but if you are active enough on the mountain then it should aid weight loss. Eating healthy balanced diet will also contribute to your weight loss goals 🙂
How many minutes of mountain climbers should I do?
It’s great to do it 3 times a week for 20-30 minutes.
How do you get fit when you are in school?
Doing sport at your school is probably the best way however if that is not an option, try waking up 30 minutes earlier before school and exericise or go jogging with friends after school!
Do mountain climbers burn belly fat?
Yes, without a doubt. Any fitness that puts your muscles under pressure will help to burn fat and tone up.
At what age did you do the mountain climb?
I went for my first big one at 23! It was amazing even though I did get pretty scared towards the end of it all lol! The views were beatufil and even though I was knackered, it made me feel like a really strong and capable woman 🙂
What kind of shoes should you wear mountain climbing?
You should wear comfortable and sturdy shoes that have good grip. Sneakers or hiking boots would be perfect.
Is mountain climbing good for weight loss?
Yes, it is a great workout for weight loss because of the uphill and downhill movements! The more strenuous the hike, the better your results will be.
How many calories does 1 minute of mountain climbers burn?
10 calories per minute.
Are mountain climbers better than running?
I haven’t done much running but from what I’ve heard, yes mountain climbing is better.
How many calories does a 30 minute mountain climb burn?
Around 400-500 depending on weight and intensity.
Is going up a mountain good for the heart rate?
Yes! It is great cardiovascular exercise that will get your heart pumping and
Do planks burn calories?
Yes, a plank done at a fast pace for a short duration will raise your heart rate and burn calories.
How much do high heels decrease knee extension?
They can reduce it by up to 30%. I’m not sure if this is off the top of my head but if you look up ‘effects of high heels’ online, you should find an article somewhere that can give you the exact amount.