To truly experience the wonder and comprehend the beauty of our planet, we need to explore the great outdoors. Going out for a walk or engaging in outdoor activities can rejuvenate us and make us feel more alive. The fresh air, the stunning natural beauty, the enthralling sounds, and the enticing fragrances are all parts of the composite and magical natural experience.
But to experience the best, we need to take the first step. But sometimes taking this step can also seem tedious. Due to our sedentary work, our bodies may not be in optimal condition to take on some of the challenges we may face while outdoors. So instead of working on our bodies, we tend to take the easy way out and remain in our comfort zones. These words of Neale Donald Walsh might put things into perspective: “Life begins at the end of your comfort zone”.
If you love hiking and would like to explore more of our beautiful planet on foot without feeling much fatigue, this post might prove helpful. Exercise can help boost stamina. Lower body exercises will strengthen your leg muscles and develop your core. Consequently, you will be able to hike longer distances.
These workouts can help new hikers get started on a ‘no fatigue, high fitness’ journey:
1. HIIT (High-Intensity Interval Training): This workout will bring out time efficiency and enable a hiking speed boost. Once your body gets used to this vigorous form of exercise, you won’t feel as much fatigue while hiking. You will be up for more hiking challenges because your workouts will show you that you are capable of more.
2. Swimming: The best part about swimming is that it will help you work out without even looking or feeling like it. You can enjoy a few laps in your favorite pool (or swim in an accessible river or sea) while the activity sneakily boosts your energy, strength, endurance, blood circulation, and flexibility. All of these positive effects on your health will reflect on your hiking.
3. Stretching: Stretching is the underdog (that receives little attention) of workouts. The effects of stretching are often underestimated and overlooked. Stretching improves mobility and flexibility. It will help condition your body for hiking. Before every hike, try some dynamic stretches like torso twist, squat to hip flexor, alternating high kicks, alternating knee lifts, and alternating quad stretches.
Even if you are an experienced hiker, it doesn’t hurt to learn about exercises that can help you keep fatigue at bay. Before you embark on your next exciting hiking adventure, you should practice these exercises:
1. Kettlebell Deadlift: This resistance exercise is one of the best ways to train your body for an upcoming hike. It is a simple exercise that stimulates and activates various muscle groups simultaneously. It revolves around lifting and lowering one or two kettlebells while maintaining good form.
2. Lunges: Prepare your body for any and every steep descent with forward lunges. Forward lunges can work wonders for your quads and core muscles. Stand comfortably, take a step forward, and drop down into a lunge, then return to your original position. Repeat with the other leg. To amp up the challenge, you could add a small step to your starting position for a ‘deficit lunge’ or opt for downhill lunges. If you practice lunges, your legs won’t turn into jelly on your next downhill hike.
3. Step-ups: It only makes sense to prepare your body for any of the climbing you might do as part of your next hike, and step-ups are a great way to do just that. You could use the stairs or a small step stool for this resistance exercise. It’s as simple as lifting your body onto the step with your lead foot and then returning to your original position. Step-ups will help your quads, glutes, and hamstrings. Introducing weights to the exercise will help enhance your balance and stabilization further.
To enjoy the outdoors without fatigue holding you back, train your body with dedication and consistency. Working out and conditioning your body can help you get the most out of your hiking adventures. You will have plenty more hiking stories to tell and pictures to share with the world!
