Washington County in Minnesota will soon be starting guided fitness hikes, and they’re perfect for those who love the outdoors as much as they love staying in shape. Though it might seem easier to organize your exercises in a place like a gym, there’s so many benefits to using the outdoors as your fitness center, instead. That being said, it can be difficult to figure out how to utilize the outdoors in such a way that won’t only give you a good work out, but also help you to achieve those fitness goals. Now, you can let a visit to Minnesota guide you to your goal on one of Washington County’s brand new guided fitness hikes:

Why here?

If you look hard enough, you can probably find groups leading fitness hikes almost anywhere. However, the Washington County Parks trail system in Minnesota is the first of its kind in the United States to do these guided fitness hikes, paving the way for other regions in the country to do the same.

Anyone who has been to Minnesota knows what an amazing place it is to hike. There are parks and trails almost everywhere you look, and the scenery among the mountains, lakes, rivers, and forests, is absolutely breathtaking. If you need some inspiration to get your body moving, tone your muscles, and increase your endurance, then there’s really no better place than here. Don’t think twice about being one of the first participants of this awesome initiative.

Where exactly do the hikes take place?

Most of the guided fitness hikes will be going on at Lake Elmo Park Reserve. Lake Elmo Park Reserve is a very popular backpacking and hiking spot in Minnesota, with great views, the opportunity to see wildlife, and many places to camp out. Of course, while you’re on a guided fitness hike, it’s likely that you’ll be focusing on different things. Though, if you can manage it, take some time to admire the beauty during your workout.

When you’re not doing the guided fitness hikes at Lake Elmo Park, there’s a Free Tuesday Trails Tour. Every Tuesday, those who are interested can do their guided fitness hike in a different Washington County state park every month. The parks in Washington County which are included in the guided fitness hikes are Big Marine Park Reserve, Cottage Cove Ravine Regional Park, St. Croix Bluffs Regional Park, and the Washington County Historic Courthouse.

Some of the hikes take place in the morning, and others take place in the evening. The calendar for the year is already planned, and you can expect to go rain or shine.

What can I expect?

The guided fitness hikes aren’t necessarily long, but it will be enough time for you to get a decent workout while getting some unique exploration in as well. Each of the guided fitness hikes are an hour long, and include a warm-up and fitness challenges along the way. Depending on the type of terrain you’re going to be hiking on, this could of course increase the intensity of your hike and workout.

What do I bring?

Just yourself and a water bottle! Since each of the guided fitness hikes are only an hour long, you won’t need much. Make sure you’re wearing comfortable clothes you can work out in, and dress appropriately for the weather. Bring along anything else you might need to accommodate your health and safety.

Who can come?

Anyone 13 years of age and older can join, so it could be a great day for a family to do some workouts together. (Minors must have an accompanying adult!)

What’s the cost?

Washington County State Parks pride themselves on offering countless exciting programs throughout the entire year, that encourage more people to get outdoors and honor those who already are outdoor enthusiasts. For those who have a vehicle permit ($25 annually/$5 a day) these guided fitness hikes are free. Tuesday hikes are of course, free.

What can I hope to accomplish?

If you’re looking for some hardcore outdoor training, these guided fitness hikes might not be quite what you’re looking for. These hikes are ideal for people who want a good workout and want to use the outdoors as their gym. The guides will be sure to teach you some techniques about exercising in the outdoors, while the fitness challenges will certainly get your heart pumping. An hour long fitness hike is good, but should definitely be paired with a healthy diet and consistent exercise in order to fully obtain fitness goals. Join in on all the scheduled hikes in order to take advantage of all this program has to offer.

Whether or not you plan on visiting Washington County in Minnesota to try out of these fitness hikes, it’s important to spread the word about what’s going on here. It’s no doubt that guided fitness hikes are a great idea. With beautiful scenery in the backcountry of these state parks, you’ll have everything you need right in front of you to get a meaningful workout. One can only hope that other parks will soon follow suit!