Are you tired of going up and down on a machine? Or being yelled at by a fitness instructor? Get out. Outside, that is. Being active in the outdoors is invigorating, challenging and ... accessible! Tennessee offers a variety of outdoor fitness options, from kayaking and hiking to rock climbing and mountain biking. Not only does adventure fitness offer diverse options, but each workout is vastly different from the next depending on the terrain and location: you can hike on the flat trails at Shelby Bottoms Greenway or on the undulating trails of the Great Smoky Mountains.

Perhaps the greatest of Tennessee’s natural assets are the rivers, which range from the mellow flow of the Harpeth to the vigorous rapids of the Ocoee. Those very rivers also provide the perfect outlet for the adventurous sport of whitewater rafting. Rafting is energizing and stress relieving, and it provides a great full-body workout. It’s key component — paddling — works the arms, legs and core muscles. Paddle stroking incorporates a full arm extension, while your abdominal muscles provide power for the strokes. Legs, especially the thigh muscles, provide stability inside the boat. In whitewater rafting, a group of two to 10 people plus a guide works as a team, continuously plunging paddles into the water, helping the boat negotiate each rapid with precision.

Benefits Beyond the Obvious

One of the best things about whitewater rafting is that you don’t have to be in tip-top shape or a die-hard athlete to enjoy it. All you really need is a passion for adventure and a willingness to get wet. Each trip offers fantastic views of some of Tennessee’s most lovely mountains and vistas, and breaks on the river allow a quiet moment with nature. Bonus: if you are lucky enough to get thrown out of the boat to the mercy of the rapids, the energy it takes to get back inside the boat is a full-body workout in itself!

Save the Date

If you want to give whitewater rafting a try but lack an adventurous companion, take a trip with Team Green, Nashville’s only outdoor, environmental adventure club. Team Green is taking to the waters of the Ocoee on Saturday, Sept. 6. Check out TeamGreenOnline.com for details on this and other adventures the group has to offer.