An often neglected aspect of prepping is physical fitness. It is crucial for improving your chances of survival when SHTF. Even if it weren’t, taking good care of your body can improve your overall quality of life. In a survival scenario, being physically active can allow you to better engage in manual labor when the situation calls for it. You will be able to pull your own weight and you won’t be a burden to anyone else. In fact, if you are physically fit and you are traveling in a group, you will be in a better position to help out other members of the group who are not as physically able, such as the elderly, small children, or people with chronic health conditions. Here are a few other reasons why you should start training to be physically fit in your everyday life. (h/t to MDCreekmore.com.)

Being physically fit can help you prevent the onset of chronic health conditions

Your genes might be a factor in your overall health and that is something that you don’t have control over. However, you do have control over how physically active you are. Regular exercise can go a long way in lowering your risk of obesity, heart disease, diabetes, hypertension, stroke, and other health conditions. Even if a survival situation never happens, being physically fit can keep you healthy in your everyday life. The less you use your body, the more it wastes away. If you want to prevent this from happening, you have to stop living a sedentary lifestyle. (Related: Physical preparedness is a way of life: Regular physical labor improves your health and chances of survival.)

Being physically fit can help you build up arm strength

If you find yourself already struggling to carry your groceries from your car to your home, what chance do you have when SHTF and you have to carry your bug-out bag across rough terrain and for extended periods of time? Your hands do a lot of your work for you, and you shouldn’t take them for granted. The strength of your hand grip can only do so much. What you should really concentrate on is your arm strength. You can build up your arm strength with heavy lifting exercises. You should also learn to pace yourself. If you have trouble carrying heavy weights, don’t immediately push yourself to your greatest limits. Otherwise, you might only end up hurting yourself. Start off slowly and work your way up to more intense and vigorous exercises as you gain more upper body strength.

Being physically fit can make it easier for you to be constantly on the move

If you have to flee a disaster zone or make a quick evacuation, stamina and endurance can be your greatest allies. The roads might be blocked or you might not be able to use your car. In such a situation, you will only be able to get as far as your own two feet can carry you. This means that if you can walk for hours at a time, climb difficult terrain, and otherwise work your way around physical obstacles, then it will be much easier for you to reach your destination. Being physically fit can improve your stamina and endurance, as well as your mobility. You won’t have to catch your breath as much either.

Learn more ways to improve your chances of survival by going to Survival.news.

Sources include:

MDCreekmore.com

ThePrepared.com