5 Basic Hiking Exercises To Help You Get Ready For A Big Hike

Hiking Exercises To Be Ready For The Trail

It is prime time!! Prime time for what, you may ask? It is hiking, backpacking, and camping time. Winter is finally coming to a close and it is time to start preparing for your first hike of the season. Before you hit the trail you are going to want to make sure you are ready by using these hiking exercises. So let’s dust off your pack, pull out your boots, and get moving!

Why Do You Need Hiking Exercises?

Hiking can be a truly amazing experience.There are so many amazing places to go and a variety of hikes to do. Ranging from long and short hikes, strenuous to relaxed hikes. The options are limitless. It can also be super rough if your not physically prepared. Even just a little preparation can have a huge impact.

You will feel better at the end:

Have you ever gone on a hike and then could hardly get out of bed the next morning?? I know I have done this, and I always wish I would have done a little more prep before hand.

It makes your trip more fun:

When you are not trying to catch your breath at every turn you will be able to enjoy your surroundings more. And instead of feeling the pain of your muscles you will feel a sense of power and accomplishment.

5 Basic Hiking Exercises

I am calling these basic because these are just to get you started. If you cannot do anything else do these. These hiking exercises can be done pretty much anywhere! You could definitely train harder and longer but by at least doing these you will be farther ahead then by doing nothing.

1. Crunches

Or really any any core strengthening exercise. Your core affects so many things. All movements either start from your core or move through it. Your core also affects your balance and stability which will help you stay on your feet on bumpy terrain. Your posture is also affected by your core which can affect your breathing and altogether comfort of your hike.

2. Squats

Squats help to increase entire body strength and muscle. They also help to increase flexibility and prevent injuries. They also help to tone your legs and butt which is always and added bonus. 🙂

3. Lunges

Lunges help to target multiple muscles at a time. They also help with unilateral training which is training one side of the body at a time. This greatly helps with balance and coordination.

4. Push-Ups

The previous exercises have mainly focused on lower body, but your upper body is just as important. Pushups are a compound exercise which means they work on multiple muscle groups. When multiple large muscle groups are having to work together it makes your heart have to work harder which then turns into a great cardio vascular exercise. Anything that gets your heart pumping harder is going to help you A LOT when on the trail.

5. Step-Ups

Pretty self explanatory, but basically just step up on to something like a bench, bucket, box, or stairs. Keep in mind, the higher your step the more your muscles are going to have to work. These are going to help you prepare for climbing up hills. Start with just your body weight and then slowly start adding weight onto your back to increase the intensity.

Now that you have these basic hiking exercises down start doing them. You don’t have to start by doing 50 of each everyday. Just start where you are at. If you you can only do 2 push ups then start there. Each day try to add one more. Before you know it you will be ready for your hike and whooping everyone to the end of the trail. 🙂

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