View Full Version : Preparation
unpeachy
05-22-2006, 02:31
Hi All. I'm planning on thru hiking GA-ME next year. Hoping someone could give me some advice on preparing physically. I plan on doing a lot of hiking this summer, but I'm wondering if there are any specific muscles or exercises I should be focusing on at the gym. Any suggestions appreciated
:sun
SGT Rock
05-22-2006, 06:54
My reccomendation is just hike. Start with low miles and work your way up. You could do lots of other things to help, but specifisity in training for hiking will help you most for hiking.
:-? Most of the books say and as Sgt Rock has stated...the easiest way to prepare for hiking up mountains with a pack is to hike up mountains with a pack.
Sorry, there isn't a more detailed physical regimen, but it IS that simple.
Good luck, and hope to see you out there next year.
Skidsteer
05-22-2006, 07:30
Hike a lot.
Here's an article for more info: http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/article.php?p=184425&postcount=1
Whistler
05-23-2006, 00:38
Hiking is obviously the best. I'd also add in running... because it's what I do, anyway. You probably have your own endurance pursuits that will keep you active. I'd just aim for total, all-around health, and do as much hiking as you can to keep in trail trim. And that aforementioned article is a great place for specifics. You might also try digging up that thread where Chris solicited feedback for that article. Lots of good comments there.
-Mark
fiddlehead
05-23-2006, 02:01
The best thing i think you can do besides actually going out and hiking mountains, is a step machine. Preferably with some extra weight on your back. That will help you more than any other exercise. My niece did this before we hiked Georgia a few years ago and was doing 20 mile days right from the git-go (do people still say that?)
gsingjane
05-23-2006, 07:55
The other, truly major, thing you can do to prepare physically for backpacking (if you need to, that is!) is to get down to a good weight for your height before you go. It is easier to do this at home where you can eat a variety of good foods and control your exercise, than on the trail when you have to eat quite a bit for energy and generally can't obtain fresh things like salads. You will definitely lose weight on the trail, too, but that takes a while.
I decided that rather than obsessing over my backpack weight, I would first try to fix my "other pack" weight and lost 25 pounds between the 2005 and the 2006 backpacking seasons. The difference in ease and fun of backpacking has been incredible... it's easier to scramble up and down and make all those strange contortions, it's definitely easier not hauling so much up hills, and best of all there is so much less banging down on my knees with each and every step.
Jane in CT