I'm hoping to do a somewhat difficult day hike with a couple of friends in about a month and I'd like to be able to keep up with them. What can I focus on in my workouts at the gym that will help me get ready?
2007-07-03 06:21:41 · 11 answers · asked by drshorty 7 in Sports ➔ Outdoor Recreation ➔ Other - Outdoor Recreation
Stair climbing machine and treadmill spring to mind. Lots of aerobic exercise. I do lunges and squats and jump rope here at home. Or walking around the neighborhood with a backpack full of bottles of water. That way, if it gets too difficult you can pour some of the water out. You could also do the best exercise, if there's anyplace nearby: go hiking.
2007-07-03 09:38:05 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
My experience is in the Grand Canyon and Philmont Scout Ranch. I have trained a number of ways. I think the best is to actually hike with a pack. Up and down a small hill works if there are no big ones. In the gym I found the treadmill at maximum angle and at 2.5 mph for 30 minutes is fine. Also a stint on the stairs and any of the leg machines that you walk or climb on at a high resistance and slow speed setting works. Have fun.
2007-07-04 04:44:07 · answer #2 · answered by Frank U 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Seems everyone has given you sound advice. Take your time when doing stairs your not doing a hiking marathon. Also take into account that according to where your hiking altitude should be considered. The biggest hill in my backyard is 23,OOO ft. Oh yea where the footwear you plan on wearing for your hike. Training on tennies then putting on hikers could mean disaster for your feet and muscles. Pack your pack how you plan too then ajust things for weight and balance then when your on the trail it will be a cake walk and your confidence will be high. Have fun and be safe.
2007-07-07 20:33:59 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
yea, both of them are right. Running regularly like twice a week, about 5km each run will work on your cardiovascular endurance (working on your heart, aka stamina)
Carrying a loaded backpack and hit the stairs of high rise buildings will also work on your cardio, but at the same time will tone up some muscles in your legs which are very essential when taking on tough slopes when hiking.
If you are in the gym, try working on muscle groups in your lower body. Like lower back, hamstring, thigh, calves etc.
personally i've been doing 4 trainings a week which includes 2 runs, 1 stairs and 1 gym, for my treks and hikes.
2007-07-03 07:11:34 · answer #4 · answered by Lek 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You will probably want to focus on calves and thighs and glutes at the gym as far as strength training goes but you will definitely want to make sure your cardio is up to snuff. Been on any runs lately? Also, do you ever physically exert yourself in hot weather? Humid weather? Think about where you will be hiking and the potential conditions. Prepare yourself by doing similar activities in a similar environment. The gym can be helpful but it does not replace the real thing.
2007-07-09 09:58:40 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't laugh but I used to get in shape for backpacking by climbing up AND down the steps in a high rise building with weight on my back. Don't use the hand railings while doing it! I was always the first one up the mountain after about a month of doing that 5 days a week. (they used to call me "mountain goat").
2007-07-03 06:52:20 · answer #6 · answered by Beatle fanatic 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
it rather is been shown that not in basic terms is trekking fantastic exercising for the physique, rather on steep terrain with a %., in spite of the fact that it has a bunch of advantages for the recommendations. and that's in basic terms through being in nature. I backpack plenty and between the toughest issues approximately it fairly is making advantageous i'm getting adequate energy and that's through fact i'm burning maximum of. I continuously look at it like this. Do you notice many committed backpackers or hikers who're obese? you do not. purely such as you do not see many committed cyclists who're obese, suitable? there's a clarification for that. Hike on.
2016-09-29 00:08:22 · answer #7 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I go up and down stairs too. The other thing I do is to mow the front and back lawn every week instead of letting my husband do that chore.
2007-07-05 07:36:12 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
leg lifts with them apart with your back on the ground sounds good to me. OK so some people will think that it was funny. only one thing needed stair's lots of stairs.
2007-07-07 14:00:23 · answer #9 · answered by 7.62x54 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
To emphasis 'Beatle fanatic's advice.... if you do the stairs make sure you go down as well.... Different muscles for decent and ascent.
2007-07-03 08:56:51 · answer #10 · answered by coloclone 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋