training for a hike

missikay1970

we live at sea-level and will be traveling to the mountains next month. we will be doing some hiking (easy/beginner trails) but i want to prepare. what exercises (besides walking, obviously) should i do to get ready for my hike? thx!!!

PS for those curious, we'll be at Mt. Charleston in Nevada.

mtntrailrunner

lunges and squats

you will need leg strength

I did CrossFit throughout the spring and when I visited a friend of mine who lives in Colorado I was surprised at how powerful my legs were on those massive hikes that we did. No fatigue during or after three full days of strenuous hiking.

Fit4_Life

Get a good workout on the elliptical machine. Slowly incline your workouts.

scarletleavy

lunges and squats

you will need leg strength

I did CrossFit throughout the spring and when I visited a friend of mine who lives in Colorado I was surprised at how powerful my legs were on those massive hikes that we did. No fatigue during or after three full days of strenuous hiking.

This. I live in the alps and hike all the time and squats and lunges are my best friend. Besides some basic endurance, leg strength really makes all the difference.

yeroc39

Because of the change of altitude you can expect that with the lighter air, your breathing will be tested a little. So doing something that combines cardio and leg strength will help. Try step ups on a box. Get a box and step up on it with your left foot then bring yoru right foot up. Then down with your left and then right. Do 10 of those starting with your left foot. Then 10 starting with your right foot.

IMPORTANT> Make sure the box is not too high. If you stand in front of the box and place one foot on it, your knee should NOT be higher then your thigh. Parrallel to the ground is good. Just below that is good too.

This will help you experience the climbing affect while also feeling the cardio affect (breathing) something that you don't normally experience with just lunges and squats. But do those too.

missikay1970

Because of the change of altitude you can expect that with the lighter air, your breathing will be tested a little. So doing something that combines cardio and leg strength will help. Try step ups on a box. Get a box and step up on it with your left foot then bring yoru right foot up. Then down with your left and then right. Do 10 of those starting with your left foot. Then 10 starting with your right foot.

IMPORTANT> Make sure the box is not too high. If you stand in front of the box and place one foot on it, your knee should NOT be higher then your thigh. Parrallel to the ground is good. Just below that is good too.

This will help you experience the climbing affect while also feeling the cardio affect (breathing) something that you don't normally experience with just lunges and squats. But do those too.

this sounds great, thanks. yes, altitude will definitely be an issue for me!

yeroc39

The other key while you are hiking is hydration. It has an even larger affect at altitude then at sea level. So make sure you are drinking while you are hiking. Have FUN!