By William Coleman
Trying to stay in shape is hard work, trust me I’ve been trying for years. Yes it can be physically hard but the mind is tough part. Whenever you think “oh I need to exercise” its common, for me, to just shut off and not what to do it. But what if you make it fun and incorporate it into your holiday and touring activities..?
Activities are a main part of my trips away and they are becoming a lot more active the older I get, maybe there are more things to do now days. There are so many different things to choose from and a lot of them can be as easy or as taxing as you want. Make staying healthy fun and you will not want to stop.
Walking/Jogging
This may seem like an obvious one but walking can sometimes be as good for you as a run. Walking is a big part of touring holidays and a fantastic way to see the surroundings of where you’ve chosen to stay.
A lot of sites, especially the Caravan and Motorhome Club, have lots of walking paths and woodland locations that are ideal for nice long relaxing walks.
Pick a day with glorious sunshine, find a route, pick a few fun places to stop on the way and then end the walk with a well deserved pint and a pub lunch.
When it come to the jogging side of it you really need to make sure the conditions are right. I decided once that it would be a great idea to go on a full blown run when the weather was in the high 20s with zero cloud. It did not work out very well.
So make sure the weather is right and you have the right footwear. A bad run can put you off for life.
Surfing
For those who love a coastal location I would always recommend surfing. Can I surf? Absolutely not. I have stood up about half way once before nose diving into the sea. Despite the amount of skill it requires to properly surf it does not take away from the fun that is falling off of a surfing board.
When trying to surf you also do a fair bit of swimming, which is one of the best all round exercises you can do. Even if you are no the strongest swimmer it will not stop you from diving in head first. You tend to stay in the shallows and you are physically attached to something that is impossible to submerge for more than 2 seconds.
If you have not tried surfing make sure you go out of your way to try. It’s fun and a great day out. Add on top of that the bonus of a good non strenuous work out then it’s a win win activity.
If you do want to dabble in some surfing I can strongly suggest the beaches of Devon. When I went I was given a board, a quick tutorial and a wet suit, which is worth is weight in gold, and then you’re good to go. Trust me, out of this list the surfing may be the most fun.
Swimming
Does your site have a pool or located on or near a beach? Make the most of the site and your surroundings. Swimming is good for the body in so many different ways. It is a low impact exercise that work almost every single muscle within the body.
Even bobbing around in the water with a float or a rubber ring will give the body a great workout without working up too much of a heart rate.
Not only is it good for the body but it’s a great way to spend time with the kids and or grandchildren. Not to mention it helps the little ones burn through their energy stores and makes for a peaceful evening for the adults.
Canoeing/Paddle boarding
Floating down a river taking in all the beautiful scenery and the wild life that line the banks is such a relaxing thing to do. There really is something tranquil about paddling across the water taking in the world.
This uses a lot of upper body strength while giving your legs a nice rest. And one of the best things about the rivers across the UK is that they are lined with great pubs and lots of pub grub.
I’d suggest to go with someone, just in case you turn over like I did. You live you learn I guess.
Mountain Biking
This may be the most popular outdoor activity, besides the BBQ. We all grew up with bikes and for me this was a huge part of my childhood.
Another great thing about this bike riding is just how easy it is. There are so many different paths and courses dotted all over the country that you will be spoilt for choice.
Even if there are not routes close to you, you can literally jump on the bike and head off without really have a set route.
A lot of companies and sites are investing in cycling and encouraging members and holiday makers to get more active and saddle up. The Experience Freedom CycleFest at this year’s National Rally was a massive success with hundreds and hundreds of men, women and children taking part.
