Whether you are going out on the trails for a day at a time, or you are embarking on multi-day adventures, you need to ensure that your body is prepared. Hiking is a physically demanding activity that you need to train for. While the best way to train for hiking is arguably to spend more time in the hills, however, this is not always possible. With the right approach to your training, you can ensure that you are ready when the mountains come calling.

Being fit and strong enough to handle the demands of hiking will ensure that you have a safe and enjoyable time on the trails. When you are fit, you will be able to enjoy the experience so much more, instead of worrying about when it will be over. Building strength and flexibility will also help you to avoid injuries and even reduce the chance of you getting blisters from your hiking boots. Let’s take a look at a few ways that you can get your body ready for hiking so you get more from your next adventure.
Set Attainable Goals
As with any type of training, you need to ensure that you understand your objectives from the outset. If you are training to complete a multi-day expedition, you will need to train differently than if you are simply going on one-day hikes every weekend. Set attainable fitness goals to keep motivated and stay on track with your progress.
Start Moving More
In addition to hiking-specific training, it’s important to incorporate more movement into your day where possible. Whether you take a yoga class in the mornings, go on family bike rides or start walking to work instead of taking the bus, moving more throughout the day will help to build endurance that is crucial to being mountain-fit.
Set A Walking Schedule
To improve your cardio set a walking schedule that you can stick to. Aim to walk at least three days a week and choose a distance that challenges you but doesn’t max you out. Overtraining can lead to injury, which will mean less training and slower progress toward your hiking targets.
Incorporate More Hills
Once you have been walking for a while, the next thing to do is to incorporate more hills into your routes. Look for nearby trails where you can start adding some elevation to your workouts. If there are no hills nearby, you can use the stepper machine in your local gym or ramp up the incline on the treadmill to make sure you are prepared for the trails.
Add Some Weight
Whether you are venturing out for the day or you are heading out on a multi-day backpacking trip, you will need to carry supplies. Carrying a pack with some weight added to it when you are walking will help to build strength so you are ready to carry your pack in the hills. Tins of beans or water bottles are simple items that you can add to your bag to increase the weight of your backpack and make your walks a little more challenging.
Put the Effort In To Be Sure You Are Ready For Your Next Hiking Adventure To ensure you get the most out of your next hiking adventure, you need to be sure that your body is prepared. Putting the effort in ahead of time will pay dividends when you are out on the trail, ensuring you have the strength and endurance required to take on the trails with confidence. Being mountain-fit will ensure that you stay safe when you're outdoors and that you enjoy your time on the trails.