Idea's for getting in shape for hiking

Anita1271

Hi everyone,

I am wondering if anyone has any ideas to help get in shape for hiking. I have a month to get in better shape for this hike. My husband is an avid hunter, and I told him I would go with him while we are on vacation. Our vacation is specifically for hunting, normally I stay at camp enjoy the company, good books and yummy wine while he hunts. So I have a month to get in shape, better than I am now. But I'm not really sure of exercises that will help me be able to hike up a mountain side. I'm thinking cardio of course, I don't want to be huffin & puffin the whole time, but I also need to increase my leg & ankle strength too. So if anyone has any suggestions, I would really appreciate it. :happy:

Learning2LoveMe

Hit the stairs

christabeltoria

Go for some longer walks--5km or so, to build up your stamina

sillygoose1977

I really like the hill climb on the treadmill. You can also get out and take some shorter hikes before then. Find some good hills.

nisijam5

lots and lots of walking lunges...until they burn and you can't do another

sallyLunn

Hills!! Also, if you are going to be doing real hiking, go ahead and get yourself some really decent boots NOW and wear them when you do your practice hikes outside. Worse then huffing and puffing is getting blisters and sore feet because you didn't break your boots in. Misery.

Anita1271

Thanks for the ideas!! I will be hitting the hill right by my house tonight!! Even if it's raining! But after my regular work out All of these are awesome ideas! I'm very excited to be doing this with my husband, this was one of the reasons that got me working out and getting in better shape, so I can do this with him along with other hiking he does that I haven't been able to do!! PS I already have a good pair of hiking boots that are already broken in

masonpips

I'm leaving next Thursday for a Rim-to-Rim Grand Canyon hike. We've been training for months (we have to carry up to 35 pounds each over 4 days). We started w/basic hikes on relatively flat ground. Find some hills and hike those. Nice side note: if you carry 10+ pounds you burn a TON more calories and you'll build up your strength and endurance faster. Plus it's easier to carry water - a small cushioned backpack w/a camelback type water bladder and a bag of sugar can get you to 10 lbs easily. Start w/a short walk and increase your time/distance as you get more fit.

We're now able to walk up/down a huge hill by our house 6 times, each carrying about 32 pounds, in about 2 hours. Taking the pack off and doing that with nothing would feel like a piece of cake!

Good luck and have fun!

sallyLunn

Thanks for the ideas!! I will be hitting the hill right by my house tonight!! Even if it's raining! But after my regular work out All of these are awesome ideas! I'm very excited to be doing this with my husband, this was one of the reasons that got me working out and getting in better shape, so I can do this with him along with other hiking he does that I haven't been able to do!! PS I already have a good pair of hiking boots that are already broken in

Fantastic. Now all you need is extra clean socks. LOL. Have fun.

rybo

Stadium stairs are good, but from experience nothing beats hiking out in the woods. Find as hilly of an area as you can and go. Up, down and over uneven terrain will do more than anything else for you. If you can, carry a weighted pack either heavier or the same as your pack while on your trip.
I do TONS of running and can go forever, but if I don’t get out and actually hike the hills & trails, my legs are burning just a short ways up the mountain.