Health Benefits of Photography Trekking
photo by VisualCommunications via iStock
Photography trekking is an enjoyable and beneficial endeavor. The health benefits of bike riding are well known in fitness circles, and adding in photography brings additional mental health benefits. Any way you look at it, combining exercise and creativity, such as photography trekking, you will reap positive results.
Benefits of Riding Your Bike With a Camera
Many of the health perks of bike riding are physical in nature, but there are also mental health benefits of biking. Making your bike rides even more worthwhile for body, mind, and soul, bringing a camera along will result in gaining the mental health benefits of photography as well.
Get on your bikes with me as we examine how biking with a camera will add to your enjoyment of exercise, creativity, and possibly life in general.
Note that I’ll have a full report coming up on the Trek Remedy 9.9 carbon fiber high-performance trail mountain bike (shown above), possibly one of the best bikes I’ve had the pleasure to ride.
Also of note is that I have been enjoying the creative benefits of the Canon EOS R mirrorless full frame digital camera system which combines reasonable size and weight plus ruggedness for outdoor photography with absolutely stellar performance in image quality.
Good For Beginners and Experienced
photo by monkeybusinessimages via iStock
One of the things I like about recommending biking is that virtually anyone can start biking or increase their activity if already biking. A similar thought extends to taking up mirrorless digital camera photography.
Both aspects of photography trekking can be started without too much initial cash outlay, though you can certainly spend a lot for newer high-end gear if you desire.
I know price is the most important factor for many bikers and photographers, but in my experience, it’s best to get the best gear you can afford rather than buying the cheapest stuff you can find.
In the end, investing in a high-quality bike like the Trek Remedy 9.9 will give you a better ride experience, long-lasting durability, and improved comfort over a bargain-basement bike you buy at a big box store.
I mean, if my body is beat up after an uncomfortable bike ride, I’m not really going to feel like taking a ton of pictures, right?
Besides, when I go on photography treks, I want to go on photography treks...I want to be off the beaten path far away from the hustle and bustle of daily life.
And the Trek Remedy 9.9 certainly helps me do that.
I had specialized bikes for a very long time, but I’ve found that the Trek is a much more capable bike in rough and technical terrain. Since I try to find the roughest and toughest trails to really get my heart pumping and reap the benefits of exercise by biking, having a capable bike is of the utmost importance. If you’re ready to upgrade your biking experience, head to Trek to find your nearest dealer.
For many people, bike riding can be considered a low-impact aerobic activity, but it is always a good idea to check with your personal health care provider before jumping on a bike if you have been relatively sedentary for a while. Be safe! We want you around for a while so we can see your pics.
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It’s a Core Workout
photo by amygdala_imagery via iStock
In fitness or exercise articles, you often see phrases referring to core workout. What this means is that you are working on your back and abdomen, the core of your body. Arms, legs, and head are attached to this core and your entire body is helped by maintaining a strong core.
When biking, your posture and movement strengthens and tones your core. Just the act of pedalling while keeping the bicycle upright works your core. This, in turn, helps your breathing, pain management, stamina, and many other aspects of physical health.
Manage Weight and BMI
photo by Happycity21 via iStock
I really try not to talk a lot about weight loss because I believe in holistic health and focusing on only one goal can sometimes be less beneficial than is optimal.
Besides, those height/weight charts we saw when we were younger often didn’t take into consideration the multiple factors of body type, limb size, or other things. With your healthcare provider, decide on a target size, weight, or BMI that works for you.
Once you have that range or goal, biking can allow you to reach and maintain it. Part of the health benefits of bike riding is that it can be a combination of resistance training and aerobic activity, which will get you where you want to be.
If you ask me, there has never been a better time than now to #GoByBike. Not only is it a fantastic opportunity to get some exercise, but with social distancing a priority, it’s a great way to get the exercise you need while doing your help to mitigate the spread of the COVID-19 virus.
Enjoy Being Outdoors
photo by blyjak via iStock
Bike riding in general and photography trekking in particular get you outside, doing something you enjoy and that is good for you.
Besides the mental health benefits of riding your bike outside, such as enjoying fresh air and nice views, you also get the mental benefits of photography added in since you are able to flex your creative muscle and the enjoyment that comes from that.
Sticking with my holistic approach to total well-being, emotional and mental health are strengthened by both activities. I feel that doing both together does more than merely add one to the other, it actually multiplies it.
photo by stockstudioXvia iStock
There is a real satisfaction that comes from vigorous effort having the desired result, such as riding to a spot with a nice view and then being able to craft an image from that. In the case of photography trekking, the end result is merely a part of the entire positive experience.
As with the physical health benefits of riding your bike, the mental health benefits of photography encompass the ongoing process of being completely aware of your surroundings and constantly having your senses elevated to notice something worth imaging.
You don’t have to be in the middle of a forest, in the mountains, or riding along a shoreline, either. You can earn these perks in the city or suburbs as well.
Creating Art is a Workout
photo by amygdala_imagery via iStock
Working your mind is an important aid in the total fitness of your mind, body,and soul. The mixture or art and science we call photography will really give your mind some vigorous exercise if you let it.
As we’re riding our bike, camera in our sling pack, we can observe intently those views in our surroundings. Think of what point of view would work best for this subject, what lens aperture would give you the focus depth or lack of it that you think would look great. What exposure technique would you use, how would you handle the post processing?
A word of caution is in order, you’re still on a bike! Don’t fall off of it or run into anything while thinking of photography. But then, that multitasking is also a part of the mental health benefits of bike riding.
Photography Trekking as an Olympic Sport
photo by Michael Truelove via iStock
Well, maybe not, but I can dream! The physical, emotional, and mental health benefits of biking with a camera are very real. In addition to working on core strength, we gain inner strength. Besides increasing our physical stamina, we gain stability in life.
In taking on the challenges of photography trekking, we reap a valuable end product that goes beyond strong legs and pretty pictures. We obtain a whole health result, physical, emotional, and mental. Looking forward to seeing you out there!
