Many leisurely activities are viewed as sports, so you may wonder – is hiking a sport? After all, if golf 5️⃣ makes the cut, you might think hiking would be too!
Hiking is not considered a sport because it is a recreational, 5️⃣ non-competitive activity.
Additionally, the lack of spectators and competitors further differentiates it from other recognized forms of sport.
The long answer gets 5️⃣ a bit more complicated.
While most physical activities fall into the black-and-white categories of sports vs.
non-sports, hiking is one of the 5️⃣ few that lingers in the gray areas in between.
This isn't helped by the fact that the word 'sports' has varying 5️⃣ definitions.
Pinning down an exact definition and deciding whether hiking is a sport or not has come down to personal opinion.
Many 5️⃣ hikers will fight to classify it as a sport, while outsiders tend to disagree!Definitions
Turning to the official definitions of sports 5️⃣ and hiking should offer a valid solution, but unfortunately, the terms are either too loosely defined or don't have enough 5️⃣ consistency to make the decision!Sports
What exactly are sports?
Taking all of the definitions into account, a sport boils down to:
Being of 5️⃣ a competitive nature
Requires a decent amount of physical effort
Takes skill in order to compete effectively.
Needs a level of entertainment for 5️⃣ viewers
Since the beginning of time, sports and similar events were designed just as much for the audience's enjoyment as it 5️⃣ was for the players.
As you can see, the common factors are so vague and different that deciding whether hiking effectively 5️⃣ counts as a sport is impossible!
In some cases, sports need to be a competitive and skillful activity; in others, it 5️⃣ just needs to be physical and fun.
Hiking
Hiking has a more consistent definition, but the wording seems to imply that this 5️⃣ is a leisure activity or exercise instead of a full sport.
Each definition defines hiking as a long walk or a 5️⃣ march for pleasure, with only a single definition stating that it is also an exercise or military training.
There's no mention 5️⃣ of the level of skill or any form of competition.
The technical definitions for hiking don't have much variation, but anyone 5️⃣ who has put a decent amount of time and effort into hiking may consider the activity in a completely different 5️⃣ light.
Few aspects of hiking seem to fall into the same category as most sports, but there's still room for debate.
Pro-Sport 5️⃣ Argument
There are a couple of common arguments that those fighting to identify hiking as a sport use to prove their 5️⃣ point.
Physical Exertion
Sports do tend to require a higher-than-normal physical ability if you want to excel in them, and the same 5️⃣ can be said of hiking.
Depending on the trail and duration of a hike, it can be a better workout than 5️⃣ some actual sports.
Sports require more than just a physical intensity.
Unfortunately, just being physically demanding doesn't mean it's a sport.
Going to 5️⃣ the gym or being a construction worker are also both physically taxing, but neither is a sport.
You Can Race!
Another common 5️⃣ point is that racing against another person on a hike adds the competitive aspect that appears to have been lacking.
Racing 5️⃣ on a trail is absolutely a sport, but it's no longer hiking.
Once the speed amps up and a form of 5️⃣ competitiveness is added, it becomes the trail running sport.
This is a widely accepted sport, but despite the similarities to hiking, 5️⃣ it is a different activity.
There's Skill Involved
Anyone can play sports, but it does take a certain level of skill to 5️⃣ play them well.
Hiking is no different, and any hiker can tell you that the pros will fly by you on 5️⃣ the trail with seemingly little to no effort.
(Un)fortunately, skill alone doesn't qualify an activity as a sport.
It takes skill to 5️⃣ make artwork or create unique dishes in the kitchen, but neither are sports.
There are multiple levels to hiking, but that 5️⃣ alone isn't enough to knock it out of the gray area.
Anti-Sport Argument
Just as the pro arguments have a certain amount 5️⃣ of validity, the anti-sport views are also valid.
Much like the pro-arguments, each point can be somewhat turned around.
Lack Of Competition
A 5️⃣ major aspect of most sports definitions is a competitive factor.
Whether it's between individual players or entire teams, sports thrive on 5️⃣ the competition to drive the activity forward.
Hiking just isn't on that same level.
Versions of hiking do promote a bit of 5️⃣ competition, such as trail running or mountain running.
Some races include hiking and camping across long paths like the Appalachian Trail, 5️⃣ so there's potential for competitiveness.
It's More Recreational
Hiking can often be done alone and is often done as a way to 5️⃣ admire nature or get some exercise as opposed to playing competitively.
Most hikers view it as a leisure activity and don't 5️⃣ try to take it too seriously.
Some are willing to pour their heart and souls into taking their activities to the 5️⃣ next level.
These athletes are blowing past others on hiking trails and attempting hikes that take days or weeks to complete 5️⃣ while camping along the way.
Key Aspects Of Sports
There are little nuggets of truth to both sides of the argument.
If you 5️⃣ were neutral before, you might still be struggling with which camp you want to stand-in.
Sports have four key aspects, and 5️⃣ seeing where hiking falls into them may be enough to help you decide.
Physical Effort
Different sports have varying levels of physicality 5️⃣ needed to succeed, but they all require some.
Hiking is slower-paced than most, but its physical toll is on par with 5️⃣ some of the hardest sports out there.
It's not an easy activity, so it could be considered a sport in this 5️⃣ aspect.
Skill Level
There are levels to hiking and a clear gap between the pros and the newbies.
Skill levels are apparent in 5️⃣ every activity known to man, and hiking is no exception.
Having a group of 'professionals' that can perform this activity better 5️⃣ than most is a step in the correct direction.
Entertainment
Entertainment value isn't in most sports definitions, but it is a well-known 5️⃣ factor that some may overlook.S
ports are a way for individuals or teams to see who is better at an activity, 5️⃣ but it's also a way for others to be entertained by the competition.
Hiking simply doesn't offer any entertainment value.
Gorgeous views 5️⃣ and fascinating wildlife aside, there isn't anything to see regarding the hiker's performance.
No matter how much you love hiking, no 5️⃣ one stands on the sidelines (or sits on the couch) cheering you on.
Competition
There are hints and potential of competition hidden 5️⃣ in hiking, but overall, it's not a competitive endeavor.
Any time hiking turns into some form of a race; it can 5️⃣ classify as a different activity, such as trail running.
The competitive nature is consistent in sports, and hiking just doesn't have 5️⃣ that factor.
Is Hiking a Sport: FAQS
Can hiking be considered a sport? Hiking can indeed be considered a sport as it 5️⃣ involves physical exertion, endurance, and skill, requiring individuals to traverse various terrains and navigate challenging trails on foot.
Is a hiker 5️⃣ an athlete? While hikers engage in physical activity and may possess athleticism, the term "athlete" typically refers to individuals participating 5️⃣ in competitive sports, so a hiker is generally not categorized as an athlete in the traditional sense.
Is hiking a mountain 5️⃣ sport? Although hiking often involves ascending mountains and can be physically demanding, it is not typically classified as a mountain 5️⃣ sport like mountaineering or rock climbing, which entail specialized skills, equipment, and techniques for tackling steep slopes and technical routes.
Is 5️⃣ Hiking a Sport or Hobby?
Hiking can be both a sport and a hobby, depending on how individuals approach it.
For some, 5️⃣ hiking is pursued as a sport, where they engage in more challenging and competitive hikes, aiming to improve their performance, 5️⃣ set records, or participate in organized events.
On the other hand, many people view hiking as a recreational activity or hobby, 5️⃣ enjoying it for leisure, exploration, and the physical and mental well-being it provides.
Ultimately, you could say that whether hiking is 5️⃣ considered a sport or a hobby is subjective and varies from person to person based on their personal goals, level 5️⃣ of involvement, and the way they approach hiking!
Final Thoughts on Hiking
Hiking has enough factors going for it that it's in 5️⃣ the gray area, but it still does NOT qualify as a sport.
It lacks too many points in its favor to 5️⃣ join the ranks of other well-known and well-loved sports.
There's no denying the skill and physical ability that goes into excelling 5️⃣ at hiking.
Clambering up a steep trail for hours is incredibly difficult, and any untrained hiker will realize that fact within 5️⃣ a quarter-mile.
Sport or not, it takes genuine skill and physical prowess to excel as hikers - but that doesn't mean 5️⃣ you can earn an Olympic medal for tackling your next grueling trail.
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