by Meg Jack

Created on: April 28, 2008   Last Updated: May 04, 2008

There are two different types of people: the type who like to work out in the comfort of the gym, on the nice flatness and regularity of the treadmill in the air conditioning - or, the people who prefer to breathe in the fresh air, hear the birds, feel the breeze and physically feel the toll the nature is taking upon their body. These are two very different types of people, and it is unlikely that one will be changed into the other. The hiker will more than likely find the gym too stifling and boring, and the gym-goer will find the hiker... "Ugh- get these mosquitoes off of me!" In truth, though, the two burn different amounts of calories and require a different diet.

In general, the regular gym-going kind of guy likes to go to the gym and get the job done. He's probably not looking for a relaxing, enjoyable time but rather wants to know exactly how many calories he has burned and how long it's going to take to get it done. This person may be looking for a cardio component as well as strength training. Here are some average amounts of calories burned per hour for a 150 pound person.*
*Walking on treadmill at 4 mph: 351 calories
*Swimming moderately: 414 calories
*Jogging: 477 calories
*Riding stationary Bicycle, moderately: 477 calories
*Elliptical trainer: 774 calories
*Running 7 mph: 73 calories

Naturally, the actual amount of calories burned depends on the weight, age, gender, and amount of effort that the individual is actually putting into the activity. However, that is a general look at the amount of calories burned during various activities at the gym.

What about strength training? Strength training, while only burning 234 calories per hour* can actually help you to burn more fat in the long run. Strength training causes an increase in muscle mass. And, although muscle weighs more than fat, it will give the individual a leaner appearance. A combination of strength training through use of weights and cardio while at the gym can help a person to lose weight and/or stay in shape.

Hiking, on the other hand, can be done leisurely, or moderately, or even as a rigorous workout. Going on a relaxing hike can be considered exercise just like going on a walk- although it can be much more enjoyable and relaxing to walk through a trail, viewing birds, butterflies, trees and flowers. According to the same website, hiking burns 405 calories in one hour. The question is, what type of hiking are they speaking of? Trails can become more and more rigorous, depending on how steep and how rocky they are. If the trail requires extreme steps uphill it will take a lot of energy. It also depends on how fast the person take the hike.

Hiking also requires quite a bit more endurance than working out in a gym. To complete a full hike, it generally takes longer than an hour. Want to throw strength training into the mix? Add a backpack and do some camping. Backpacking requires skill and strength. It is a good workout for the legs and back.

The point is, working out in the gym and going hiking are two very different experiences. Each one might suit a different type of person. Depending on which is chosen, the diet for the person may be different. For a hiker, especially one that is doing long distance hiking, lots of good carbohydrates may be needed for endurance. For the gym-goer, some carbs are needed but not as many since the amount of cardio is not as long lasting. Also, it is good to eat protein after doing strength training. Most importantly, take in as much water as possible to replace the moisture that is lost through sweat- do not become dehydrated!

*Calories Burned information obtained from http://www.healthstatus.com/cgi-bin/calc/calculator. cgi

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