April 01, 2004

By: Holly Moran
Website: http://www.1st-in-fitness.com

State park trails, lakes and playgrounds beckon as pleasant, pastoral exercise locations

Whether it's hiking on a wooded trail, swimming on a sunny beach or biking on a picturesque path, Ohio's 74 state parks offer dozens of inexpensive ways to get fit – and stay fit – naturally.

In recognition of May as National Physical Fitness and Sports Month, Governor Bob Taft's Healthy Ohioans Initiative and Ohio State Parks are joining forces to promote state parks as excellent destinations for both fitness and fun. “Ohio’s scenic parks provide the perfect setting for a wide range of healthy outdoor activities, from trails for hiking, biking and rollerblading to waterways for canoeing, kayaking and swimming,” Taft said. “I encourage all Ohioans to explore our wonderful system of parks and along the way discover the path to good health.”

More than half of adult Ohioans are no t sufficiently physically active and nearly 60 percent are overweight, according to J. Nick Baird, M.D., director of the Ohio Department of Health. At the same time, more than 10 percent of teens are overweight with many more at risk for obesity due to inactive lifestyles.

"Motivating Ohioans to get active and participate in daily physical activity is one of our Healthy Ohioans goals," Baird said. "For families or individuals, there's no better place to begin than in an Ohio State Park." ODH fitness experts say an average person walking briskly or hiking on moderate terrain burns about 240 calories every hour, as does bicycling at about six miles per hour.

A 30-minute swim burns an average of 222 calories. Playing volleyball or tennis burns about 180 calories in 30 minutes. Playing basketball burns more than 300 calories in the same length of time. More than 58 million people visited Ohio's state parks last year for healthy activity and fun, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. The parks offer more than 1,000 miles of recreational trails, 78 swimming beaches, 18 pools, 183 playgrounds and 57 campgrounds - many with volleyball, basketball and tennis courts.

Author Notes:

Holly Moran contributes and publishes news editorial to http://www.1st-in-fitness.com.  A source of information and helpful tips on various types of fitness equipment.