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Camp Your Way to Fitness
Get Fit in the Great Outdoors
By Phyllis Ring
To offset camping's firm "bed" that may cost you a good night's sleep, use an egg-crate foam pad or an air mattress, each available at discount retail stores for about $20. A padded exercise mat or extra sleeping bag can also help cushion you considerably, Gale says. Although it's not imperative to have a sleeping bag, it guarantees that you'll stay warmer and dryer – two things that become very important when you're staying outdoors, she says. Other important camping basics include sunscreen, sun-blocking shirts and hats, several water bottles, a first aid kit, a jack knife, a flashlight, matches, wet wipes and lip balm.
Because staying outdoors can expose you to a variety of temperatures, even in summer, it helps to bring layers of clothing. Although a cotton shirt or two can be useful, wool or polypropylene fabrics are better at retaining insulating properties, especially when it's damp or wet. Sweatshirts and pants are good for sleeping and time spent at the camp site. A lightweight, waterproof jacket and pants can be a big help to layer over other clothes, Gale says. Waterproof boots or shoes are also good, and sandals or slip-on shoes are easiest for hanging out. Add hiking socks and at least one polar fleece-type garment for warmth.
"When it comes to camping, you lug lots of things and do more work, all so that you can then do nothing," Gale says, laughing. "If we're not hiking or exploring, we're spending time staring at the sky or watching mother birds teach their babies to fly. We also tend to wake and sleep with the sun. These are the kinds of benefits that bring mental and spiritual fitness, as well as physical."
For many, camping means carrying your equipment with you – yet another way to boost fitness. Pre-conditioning is a must, however, to ensure that you'll be able to carry a pack safely over uneven terrain and protect yourself against possible injury.
