how to plan for backpacking trip away from the gym?

jadebuilding

hey everyone! just posting because i'm leaving for a 10 day trip, half of which will be backpacking in utah in 90-100 degree weather. i'm a weightlifter, currently on my first cut after my first bulk, so i'm concerned about having to take a break from lifting.

i leave on thursday, so i plan to go to the gym that morning & i hope to be able to use a friend's gym one day on the weekend, but after that, i will most likely be missing 3 workouts, though i will be hiking several miles every day for 5 days.

i worked really hard on my bulk & don't want to see it go to waste - any tips on how i can make sure to retain my muscle during this time away from the gym?

thanks!

ninerbuff

You can still do body weight exercises to keep the muscles "activated". 10 days isn't really a long enough time to lose any appreciable gains made.

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mselihar

BW plus a resistance band - will only add a few oz of weight and give you lots of versatility.

Make sure you are getting the extra calories to counteract your backpacking burn - which will be high.

joepage612

I know it sounds bizzare/corney but when I can't get to a gym I use charles atlas dynamic tension
it really works when you can't get to a gym or have access to weights
you can learn the movies on youtube or diagrams online
you can also use those rubberband cord things they work great for toning.
these two things will keep you for 10 days.

dbmata

Have your friends load up your backpack with all the stuff they don't want to carry.

When you're out, you'll see rocks, logs, etc. Lift em up and put em down once you get camp set up. If you see some good cliffs, go bouldering.

You'll be fine, don't overthink it.

mereditheve

hey everyone! just posting because i'm leaving for a 10 day trip, half of which will be backpacking in utah in 90-100 degree weather. i'm a weightlifter, currently on my first cut after my first bulk, so i'm concerned about having to take a break from lifting.

i leave on thursday, so i plan to go to the gym that morning & i hope to be able to use a friend's gym one day on the weekend, but after that, i will most likely be missing 3 workouts, though i will be hiking several miles every day for 5 days.

i worked really hard on my bulk & don't want to see it go to waste - any tips on how i can make sure to retain my muscle during this time away from the gym?

thanks!

I travel quite frequently and use whatever is on hand for workouts at times -- including lifting my suitcase, doing decline pushups on hills, and pull-ups on tree branches. There will be plenty for you to do to continue lifting if you are ok foregoing a traditional gym environment for those 10 days.

Here's a decent article about overcoming a similar travel/workout challenge: http://www.nerdfitness.com/blog/2011/07/25/how-to-stay-in-shape-while-traveling/

jadebuilding

Here's a decent article about overcoming a similar travel/workout challenge: http://www.nerdfitness.com/blog/2011/07/25/how-to-stay-in-shape-while-traveling/

great article, thank you so much!

i'm foreseeing lots of pushups & planking in my future

Have your friends load up your backpack with all the stuff they don't want to carry.

When you're out, you'll see rocks, logs, etc. Lift em up and put em down once you get camp set up. If you see some good cliffs, go bouldering.

good ideas, thank you!!! i sort of did something similar on a day when i was rock hunting for obsidian - i just made sure i hauled around a load of heavy rocks!