Introduction –
We all grow up while playing with mud pies and climbing trees with our friends. In childhood we don’t know about the benefits of climbing the tree we climb just for playing or for fun. But now we come to know that tree climbing can be a great form of cardio for a workout. Tree climbing includes the full body workout, to build strength, endurance, and coordination of our body, all these with a unique outdoor workout experience.
Tree climbing is an excellent way to experience nature and find peace of mind and relaxation with nature. Tree climbing is also a therapeutic experience for most of the people outside the gym. This outdoor activity in nature can enhance your physical fitness, improve mental health by relaxing your mind, and strengthen your bond with beautiful nature.
Whether you are an adult who wants to recall your childhood memories or look forward towards it as a tree climbing as cardio, and outdoor fun fitness idea, this will offer you both fun and fitness. Let’s explore this in detail about tree climbing.
Benefits of tree climbing workout:
1. Increase strength naturally:
When people want to build their strength they go to the gym and lift the weight and use machines. At the same time tree climbing as a cardio workout method is more effective, this method doesn’t target particular muscle groups but it uses natural movements.While climbing a tree your strength gets boosted as it uses full body weight with natural movements which works on almost of muscle of your body at the same time.
Your arms, legs, core, back, shoulders literally full body will get pushed when you climb a tree.When you do this fitness activity with your friends or family it can be a great combination of fun and fitness outdoor adventure.
2. Increased hand-to-eye coordination:
When you climb a tree, every step you take going an upward direction needs more hand-to-eye coordination. When Tarzan climbs the tree it looks easy enough but it is not that much easy. Your eyes must be in sync with the hands and legs too. At starting you will consciously focus on this coordination, but in the long run, you will naturally develop coordination skills.
3. Flexibility:
Lifting the foot on the branch putting it in the right place, and holding the branch with both hands is an amazing form of stretching the muscles. While climbing the muscles of the stomach, ribs, and back also get stretched. This stretching of muscles improves the flexibility in your body movement. Every tree is different from others so the gap between branches is also different so the lunges and extra-long lunges are needed to perform when climbing.
4. Balance and core:
If you are doing tree climbing as cardio the balance is essential. It needs continuous balance and core muscle stretch continuously it is a workout for the full body.
5. Fingers and grip:
Tree climbing trains your finger to take a firm grip over the tree on which full body weight can relay. It strengthens the muscles of the hands and fingers, as yogis and many bodybuilders need to apply their full body weight on their hands, tree climbing helps them to improve their grip.
Why does tree climbing work as cardio?
Cardio exercises increase your heart rate and keep it increased for a certain time period. Usually, people do running and cycling for cardio, but tree climbing as cardio has more benefits with more variety and engagement of full body.
Tree climbing activates the different muscle groups in your body like legs, back, and core, and your heart gets pumping fast when you climb. You need to apply constant movement, maintain the balance of the whole body, and push your body upward the high-intensity intervals which are usually practiced during HIIT. It just takes 10 to 15 minutes to leave you breathless while tree climbing.
This activity keeps you mentally engaged constantly, as you search for the next foothold, take the next move, and maintain your full body weight, so it focuses on your brain, eyes, and hand coordination. Climbing is a perfect combination of physical efforts and problem-solving skills at a time.
How to start tree climbing?
If you are inspired by climbing then search for a nearby park and go ahead for climb with birds on their branches:
1. Choose the right tree:
Ensure that you are choosing a strong, big, and healthy tree before you start. So check for the safety first. Again check for the branches, are they strong and healthy to climb? Check for the space between two branches which allows for movement and visibility.
2. Wear loose and comfortable clothes:
You should wear loose and comfortable clothes to allow the full range of motion while climbing. Also, wear a pair of flexible shoes with a good grip.
3. Stretch:
Before you start climbing, do some stretching don’t start any workout without warming up. So, take time to stretch your muscles and get warm up.
4. Start slowly:
Start with the tree which has strong but short branches just a few feet from the ground. This will be safe for you if you slip.
5. Make the coordination of hands, eyes, and legs:
For the perfect grip and balance make the coordination of hands, eyes, and legs while tree climbing.
Conclusion:
Climbing on the tree is the essential activity from everyone’s childhood and when we do it now as adults we revisit back to the timeless period of childhood. This activity can enhance physical health, improve mental well-being, as well as make a strong bond with nature.Using tree climbing as a cardio workout routine is more than just a normal cardio routine, it is a more dynamic, heart-pumping fitness activity where your full body and mind get engaged in coordination. It is more adventurous as it is an outdoor cardio activity. Go to the tree, start slow, be safe, and have fun with nature.
FAQ:
Q.1. Is tree climbing really an effective cardio workout?
Ans: Yes, tree climbing keeps your heart rate higher, especially when you are continuously climbing the tree or taking short rest intervals. It needs the coordination of the full body and brain, this coordination makes it a highly effective cardio workout.
Q. 2. How often should one climb trees for fitness?Ans: You can climb trees 1–2 sessions per week depending on how your body is responding. Consistency is an important factor like any other workout form. Even short sessions like 15–20 minute tree climbing also help to boost durability, build strength, and enhance flexibility.
Q.3. Can tree climbing help to build muscle?
Ans: Yes, tree climbing uses multiple muscle groups at a time like arms, shoulders, back, core, gluten, and leg muscles while climbing. It helps to build muscle by pulling, pushing, and balancing activity with a full body.
