Staying fit for hikes or just being fit in general: I'm going to add some hiking specific exercise to my existing regimen. If anyone has some good workouts that are hiking specific, please share.
A typical week for me is:
2x - 3x per week - personal trainer at our small gym. 1hr of stations for 3 rounds. Weights, core and cardio (with an emphasis on specific body parts), ie tonight might be legs, or Bi/back or Chest/tri. We do tons of weighted lunges, box jumps and squats on leg day that help with hike readiness.
2x - trail running minimum of 5mi, max of 8mi and sometimes if I feel froggy 10mi on wooded trails (nothing paved). If it isn't wet, I will go to the USNWC and Mt bike 9mi-13mi in lieu of a trail run. Lots of great climbs that leave you feeling like you might puke.
Sporadically thrown in every couple weeks: Hike at Crowder's Mt with a weighted pack, or just 6-7mi easy hike at the ASC Greenway with the dog.
WHAT I WANT TO ADD: My gym has a stair machine. I think I will start either wearing my jihad looking weight vest or a weighted pack and doing long stints on this machine. I am also going to start doing more weighed "step ups" on a bench or high riser to simulate hiking up hill. Maybe add dead lifts?
Any ideas of some more exercises to add??