Understanding the required fitness level for attractions and tours can help you plan ahead and determine if it's the right choice for you.
We've taken a standardized approach on a scale of 1 to 5 so you can compare apples with apples across Forever Break:
1 - Very Easy
Light walking with no significant incline and no stairs. Generally suitable for mobility-challenged travelers, however, you should check whether the specific location is wheelchair-friendly, if relevant.
Example: shopping mall with smooth, hard flooring
1.5 - Easy
Some walking with moderate incline, a few stairs or uneven surfaces. May cause issues for mobility-challenged or frail travelers.
Example: museum with 10 stairs to the entrance and a low doorway.
2 - Light Effort
Sustained walking, some stairs, and uneven surfaces. May cause shortness of breath for unfit travelers, and easily achievable for travelers with a basic level of fitness.
Example: a 10-minute hike down wooden stairs to a waterfall viewpoint, or 1-hour folk dancing class.
2.5 - Some Effort
Casual outdoor activities that are widely considered to improve health and are relatively easy for travelers with a moderate level of fitness.
Example: 20-minute stair climb, bike riding on flat urban terrain for up to 45 minutes, or medium-paced walking for 2 hours in a similar environment.
3 - Moderate Effort
A decent level of fitness, flexibility and muscular strength is required and the activity is likely to cause some perspiration. Relatively unfit travelers may struggle and should use caution.
Example: indoor rock climbing for 30 minutes, or bike riding on undulating urban terrain for 3 hours.
3.5 - Significant Effort
A sustained exertion, often involving a steep incline or vigorous movement, that requires rehydration and short rest afterward. Likely to cause significant perspiration.
Example: 45-minute climb up steep steps to a mountain-top lookout point, 2 hours of kiteboarding, 2 hours of sandboarding, or 6 hours of hiking on established undulating trails.
4 - Exerting
A moderate degree of long-term effort resulting in heavy perspiration. Requires significant muscular strength and stamina.
Example: 3 hours of mountain biking, 6 hours of snowboarding, or 6 hours of hiking in steep terrain.
4.5 - Very Exerting
A high degree of effort resulting in heavy perspiration. Requires high degree of muscular strength and stamina. Beyond the fitness requirement of most casual tourism activities. Not recommended for travelers without a regular fitness routine.
Example: 9 hours hiking in steep terrain, 8 hours of mountain biking on undulating terrain, or a multi-day road cycling tour.
5 - Extremely Exerting
Travelers must be very, very fit to undertake these activities, which often require significant preparation and training.
Example: multi-day mountain hiking in undulating terrain, all-day outdoor freestyle rock climbing, or a triathlon.
