How to Train for a Long Hiking Trip

Tuesday, January 12th, 2010

So you’re finally ready to do it: heading out to the Grand Canyon in a month or two, you feel excited for all of the views you’re going to see. But are you ready for all of the exercise you’re going to get? If you need to shake off your hiking rust, this article will help whip you back into hiking shape so you can concentrate on the nature – not the nuisance.

There’s No Training Like the Real Thing

You might be putting in extra hours at the office in order to make sure that you can have this extended hiking trip, but that doesn’t mean you can’t squeeze in a few hiking jaunts on your own. If you can, bring your spouse on these hiking trips so that you both receive the benefits. If you venture out alone, make sure you don’t venture far off the beaten path – your goal is simply to re-acquaint yourself with the experience of hiking. If you must have adventure, make sure you bring equipment like a compass and GPS device.

Training Near or At Home

Of course, it’s not always possible to get out there and hike in the woods. How should you exercise and prepare today?

First, take a look at your daily routine. Whether you’re sitting on the couch all day or simply taking a daily walk, you might want to change things up to better reflect what you’ll be doing on your trip. If you’ve been avoiding that big hill on your walk, it’s time to take on the challenge. If your treadmill has an incline feature, be sure to make avid use of it.

Second, make sure you feel okay about leaving indoor civilization for hours at a time, even if your exercise routine keeps you on the treadmill. Ask yourself what you’d need to feel comfortable: plenty of water and snacks, sure. But also remember that on your hiking trip, you’ll want to bring gadgets like binoculars and a digital camera. Most importantly: be cautious and safe, and you should have plenty of fun.

Photo Credits: tricky ™

Exercise Benefits of Hiking

Friday, April 17th, 2009

If you’ve ever been hiking, walking, or even running outdoors, you know the feeling of gratification that occurs when you open that door back into the house. You remember how it feels good to be back out of the cold – or the heat, depending on where you live – taking a shower and feeling like you’ve really done yourself a favor. “Hmm,” you wonder. “Why don’t I do that more often?”

Well, why don’t you. There are plenty of benefits to exercise, but what are the benefits of using hiking as your form of exercise? Here are some quick benefits you’ll notice when you start taking those treks into the wilderness:

-Fresh air and sunlight.

Depending on the day, of course, sunlight can be a variable, but when it’s there, you get a nice dose of Vitamin D that humans have been wired to enjoy and soak up since the days of Adam and Eve. The fresh air also does wonder for the lungs, gets you outside of your head for a while, and allows you to fucs on what’s important. Many people even forgo the iPods and mp3 players – why distract yourself? Being outdoors gives you a mental energy and focus, a sharpness that will last you throughout the day, which is why so many people enjoy going in the morning.

-Leg strength.

Hiking has its challenges, and for that you should be grateful – without the challenges, there’d be no growth happening. Hiking is a great way to build lower-body strength and stamina, giving you a confidence about being in the outdoors that you didn’t have before. After you’ve hiked ten miles through some treacherous woods, you feel like you can beat anything, and after habitual hiking, you’ll find that your legs grow stronger, healthier, and ready for action. That’s personal growth you can’t buy.

-Endurance.

Endurance is also one of the hallmarks of the hiker, particular those especially-devoted hikers who can’t get themselves out of the woods. Keep in mind that while you’re enduring out there, getting out of your comfort zone, you’re also building endurance for next time, constantly building up your ability to enjoy this fundamental exercise. The more sweat, the better – you know you’ve accomplished something when you finally step on the bottom of that hill, soaked in sweat, looking up at the hill you just conquered. There’s no feeling that substitutes for the natural high of endorphins that comes with endurance.

These are just some of the benefits of hiking. To experience it for yourself, in short, get out there! You don’t know what you’re missing until you try it just once – and you never know; you might get hooked.

Photo Credits: footloosiety