*Contributed Post
The world is home to all sorts of incredible multi-day hiking adventures. If you have never done one before, setting yourself a challenge to complete a trail and seeing the natural scenery of a new country or region is not an experience that you are likely to forget in a hurry.
When it comes to choosing a hiking adventure, one of the classic adventures is https://gadventures.com/destinations/south-america/machu-picchu/. But you need to make sure that you are fully ready to see it through to its conclusions. So, here are a few of the best ways of preparing for a hiking adventure.
Start Off with the Basics
You need to walk before you can run, so if you are a little out of shape or you have never undertaken a challenge such as this one, you should start with some basic preparations. Build a range of motion by strengthening your muscles with a resistance band. Crunches will help you to build your core strength, while squats and lunges are another good way to do this. Of course, you need to also build up your cardio ability – and this can be done as simply as walking on a trail or even doing some fitness-building activities at your local gym.
Train with a Day Hike
If you are embarking on a hike which is going to last several days, it makes sense that you train by heading out on a day trip. Make sure that you are providing yourself with enough of a challenge to get your heart beating faster. Wear the same shoes as the ones you plan on wearing on your hike to make sure that you are comfortable and don’t end up suffering from blisters. Carry some weight with you as well to make sure that it isn’t too much of a step up in difficulty when you embark on the real thing.
Avoid Injuries on Steep and Rocky Trails
An injury can end up seriously cutting short your hiking adventure, so they are obviously to be avoided at all costs if you can. Try to focus on developing your quadriceps, calves, and hamstrings to protect your knees from the struggles of going downhill. Take part in some regular exercises with ankle weights. Also, you can practice using trekking poles as these will help to distribute your weight and won’t put so much pressure on your joints.
Choose Your Hiking Boots or Shoes Carefully
No matter how fit you get, your choice of hiking boots or shoes will affect everything, so choose them wisely. Look at what sort of terrain they are designed for as a guideline. When you are trying them on, make sure to wear thick socks as well. Your choice of socks can also end up playing a big role in preventing blisters.
Preparing to go out on a hiking adventure takes time and energy, but these are just a few of the best ways of doing this.