How To Train For Hiking (Without Actually Hiking!)

This post is about how to train for hiking (without actually hiking). I’m not the world’s best expert about exercising, however, these are the exercises I utilized to help my own balance and endurance. These are simple ways on how to train for hiking in most environments, be it city, suburban, etc.

Walk

Easy-peasy. Just start walking. Make it a daily habit. Walk for at least thirty minutes and start to build your stamina. Once you’ve been walking for a week or two, start walking with a backpack with a couple items in it. Build up the strength of carrying a backpack, carrying your snacks and full water bottle. 

Walking is easy to do and can be done in the city or throughout your neighborhood. 

Climb Stairs

Climbing stairs is a really great way to build your stamina in a different way. It helps your endurance of climbing elevation. And it works in reverse, practice going down the stairs, as well. 

You can go on a stair machine at the gym or opt for the stairs in your apartment or work building. 

Practice The Trail Distance

Most trails are on the Alltrails app or information is available on state/national park websites. Walk the distance. If it says it’s a 2.1 mile long trail, practice walking that trail’s distance within the same day. Start pushing yourself to complete that without stopping. 

Squats

Doing squat exercises really helped my own leg strength. Doing 10 squats in a set, and three sets is a great way to start adding this exercise into your routine.

Kettle Bell

I initially got a kettlebell in 2020 to help with exercising at home. Like so many others did! And doing kettlebell swings was really great for building up my abdomen muscles. 

In 2020, it was such a pain trying to find a kettlebell, but they’re easily acquired from Amazon. 

Lunges

I find doing lunges while wearing my hiking backpack OR lunging while holding the kettlebell helps. It’s just a different exercise for your body that’s useful for when it comes to hiking. 

Balance 

My balance is terrible. I find practicing some yoga poses that require balancing on one leg are helpful. It trains your body to build strength in a different way that continues to be helpful for hiking. 

Tree Pose
Dancer Poser
Ardha Chandrasana
Triangle Pose

Am I an exercising expert? No way. But the aforementioned exercises are what I’ve used to help condition my body to prepare for hiking without actually hiking. 

How to Train for Hiking and More Hiking Fun

Check out the blog for more hiking related posts.