You might not want to go out as much now that the virus has spread around the world. Here are 10 great training tips for people who are new to hiking! These workouts can be done at home, and they will help you get ready for when you can hike again! I have to work on my patience right now, even though I don’t want to. But I’m getting better at appreciating the little things and what I have.

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Plitvice National Park, Croatia

When you hike, you put more than one foot in front of the other. You need to work on your stamina, strength, balance, and patience, which is something I’m not very good at. That’s why you should get ready for a hike by training. It’s also very important to have the right gear for your hike. If you walk for half a day and the bottom of your shoes just melt away, that would be terrible! Yes, it did happen to me! I thought a cheap pair of boots that weren’t made for hiking would be fine for a hike. In Peru, I learned about half way down Colca Canyon that I should have worn real hiking boots!

Check out Hiking in Sweden to learn about hikes there!

1.     Go on a Daily Walk

You can walk in one place because many people don’t want to leave their homes right now. Or take a walk around your house. Take what you have and use it. This is a great way to get ready for hiking. Go up and down the stairs if you have them. Walk through the rooms if you have more than one. You need to think outside the box about how you can turn your house into a gym!

Walk Around

Every day walks for thirty minutes are good for you. Once you can do it in 30 minutes, step it up a notch! This is a great way to train for hiking if you are just starting out because it helps you build up your stamina.

Climb the Stairs

As if your stairs were a mountain! Now, go up that mountain. This training for people who have never been hiking before helps you get ready for the hills on the trails. Going up and down the stairs will also make your butt and leg muscles stronger. Do this for as long as you can. After that, you do it again the next day and try to beat your time from the first time. Work on getting up to 700 steps three times a week to get ready for a hike that lasts more than one day. Putting on a backpack with weights in it helps you work out.nnBefore you go on your mountain hike, this can help you get ready! I would suggest Osprey backpacks. I have two. One is for day hikes and the other is for traveling and backpacking. Check out the hiking gear I’ve used.

Run Circles in your Home

Have fun being a kid! Try not to break anything as you run around your house! Getting your heart rate up like this is great. Think about running through the forest with the wind on your cheeks. You only need to use your mind a little. This makes you stronger and pushes your limits at the same time. Try to do this even better every time. But don’t be too hard on yourself if you miss some days.

2. Train your Strength

To get ready for hiking, it’s helpful to work on your strength and balance. Getting into a routine is what helps me the most. After that, I can work on a different part of my body every day of the week. You should get ready for hiking with a full backpack. To get better, walk around your house with a backpack on your back that is full of things that will help weigh it down.

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Dani in Peru with her travel backpack

Practice Yoga

I used to be against yoga because I thought it wasn’t good for me. But after my terrible car accident, I saw that it was really good for my body. Sometimes it was hard for me to stand up. The way I stood was all wrong. That changed when I started yoga, though. I can stand on one foot and do a few of the other positions. I have the best balance I’ve ever had! Remember to practice, practice, practice. Do not give up. This is very good for your balance, even though it can be hard at first. It’s also great for making your core stronger. My favorite app is DownDog, and right now you can join for free for a month! Yoga Video

Resistance Bands

These bands made of rubber can help your arms, legs, ankles, and a lot of other places. You can use them in a number of different ways. It can help your knees and ankles get stronger. In order to go hiking, those are important parts that need to be strong. Resistance Bands Video

3.     Get your Adrenaline Pumping

Getting your heart rate up is another important thing to do when you first start hiking. This is simple to do with squats, jumping jacks, or burpees. There are many apps you can get that will help you stick to a daily exercise routine. The app Seven is great. You have seven minutes to do all the exercises this app gives you.

Jumping Jacks

Stand up straight with your hands at your sides. After that, jump and put your arms and legs out wide. People clap their hands above their heads, but you should do what feels right to you. After the second jump, bring your arms to your sides and your feet together. You can work out muscles that don’t get as much attention by doing jumping jacks. There are different ways to move your body that can help you get stronger and more agile. Jumping Jacks Video

Burpees

This has four steps and can get tough. A lot of people who like to work out love to do it. This exercise works out your whole body and boosts your heart rate. The first thing you do is start in a standing position. After that, squat down and put your hands on the ground. The next move is the plank. Keep your arms out. In the next step, squat down again. Finally, get up. This makes you stronger, more coordinated, and faster. Burpees Video 

Squats

Here’s another strength exercise. Lower your hips from the standing position. Don’t forget that your knees shouldn’t go over your toes. Pretend that you’re going to sit in a chair. Then stand up again. You did it! This focuses on your thighs and butt muscles. It will help you have more ease with walking and strengthen your hips. Overall, it helps the whole body. Squats can make it easier for you to do daily chores and it will definitely help with hiking. Squats Video 

Push-ups

This is good for your upper body. This is a great way to get stronger. Start in a plank position with your arms out to the sides. As you bend your arms down, keep your body tight. In order to do a plank, lift your body off the ground and push up with your hands. Doing push-ups can help you get stronger in your back, upper body, and core. Push-ups Video

Sit-ups

Doing sit-ups strengthens your abs and makes you more durable. Get on the ground. Stand with your knees up and your feet on the ground. Lift one back bone at a time while putting your arms out to the sides of your legs. First sit up, and then begin to go down. That’s a push-up! Sit-ups Video 

Jumping Rope

If you jump rope before you go hiking, you’re less likely to hurt your ankles or feet. The exercise is good for your heart and helps you coordinate your movements better. Plus, you can jump rope almost anywhere! Jumping Rope Video

4.     Be Conscious of What Can Happen While Hiking

If you’re new to hiking, you can practice with a friend, since it’s always better to go on trails with someone. You never know what will happen, and it’s common for people to roll or sprain their ankle on a hike. You won’t be alone in the middle of the woods trying to figure out how to get out if you have someone with you. Just in case, bring a first-aid kit with you when you go hiking. Being ready is better than not being ready. It’s important to know about the trail and the weather before you go hiking. It might get blocked or broken by the weather. Even worse, you might get stuck in a storm! Don’t forget the training tips for people who are new to hiking; they will help you!

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Angor Wat

5.     Choose the Right Gear for You!

Each person has different needs when it comes to having the right gear. The clothes, shoes, and backpack might not work for someone else. Because of this, you should try them out first. Or, at least test the gear before taking them on a hike. Going on a hike without the right gear or gear that is too uncomfortable and could hurt you more than help you is the worst thing that can happen. You check out the gear that I bring with me when I hike!

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Dani in Bosnia with her hiking boots

Hiking Boots Vs. Everyday shoes

Since I wore the wrong shoes on a tough hike and things went badly, I never hike in regular shoes. I only let it go when the trail is easy and the weather is nice. This is when I’ll put on my Salomon running shoes. Besides that, it’s always my Oboz hiking boots! They protect my ankles and keep them in place while I hike on rough or rocky ground.

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Dani hiking in Kil, Sweden with Salomon running shoes

When you’re shopping for good hiking boots, think about where you’ll be using them. What kind of land is that? What makes you feel good? Make sure the boot doesn’t let your heel move around. Also, you don’t want your toes to touch the end of the boot. Now there are hiking shoes and boots that let air flow through them. Which hiking shoes are best will depend on the weather and the trail. Over time, leather shoes and boots will stay waterproof the best. The bad thing is that it takes longer to break in. The fake shoes and boots are easier to break in, and they might even be waterproof. They don’t last as long, though. Comfort is the most important thing. If the hike hurts, you won’t enjoy it, so make sure it’s right for you!

Backpacks for Hiking

No matter how long the hike is, you should bring a different type of backpack. A daypack is great for short trips of two hours or less. But if you want to go on a long hike, you should bring a bigger backpack with room for food, an extra set of clothes, a rain jacket, and sleeping gear. The Osprey brand is my go-to backpack. They last a long time and come in many sizes. My daypack is almost three years old, and my travel/hiking backpack is about five years old. When it comes to bigger backpacks, you need to make sure they fit you well. There is a strap that goes around your hips and holds the weight there. The two shoulder straps usually connect at the chest with a clip. Go to a store and try a few to find the one that works best for you. Put some weight on it and walk around to check how it feels.

Water Bottles for your Journey

You must bring a water bottle with you on any hike, no matter how short. On hot summer days when the sun is beating down, it’s really helpful to have. Those made of metal are my favorite. It will be harder for me to break them, and I won’t have to worry about losing a water bottle.

First Aid Kit

No matter what, you never know what will happen. Why not bring a first-aid kit with you? You’ll have tools to use if you hurt yourself that way.

Check out the gear I use at Hiking Gadgets.

6.     Get into a Training Routine

I’m much better at sticking to my daily plan now that I’ve written it down. It will be a lot easier to keep up your workout routine once you get into it. Because it’s something you do every day, some days it won’t hurt as much. On bad days, you’ll still have to keep going, but you have to push yourself. Don’t forget why you are training. Keep in mind that you will get to enjoy the lovely view of a valley from above. While you walk through the leaves, listen to the birds singing. You’ve got this!

7.     Eat Healthy

This is tough for me. I feel like eating chocolate or pizza for no reason! Yum! You can’t eat those all the time, though. Not just a bunch of junk food, but food that is good for you. That’s how you’ll get in shape for hiking. This food is full of vitamins and protein, which are both good for your body. Antioxidants and fiber are also good for your body. When you start eating better, you’ll be able to do better in activities!

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Food from Amsterdam

Check out Healthline to learn more about eating healthy .

8.     Stretches and Warm-ups are IMPORTANT

To get your blood moving before you work out, you can do a warm-up. As you finish your workout, it’s always good to stretch. I think you should stretch and maybe do a little warm-up before going on a harder hike. Then stretch some more after the hike. In this way, you can keep your body from hurting as much from the hard hike.

In yoga, you stretch a lot, which is a great way to warm up. Some of the exercises I told you about to boost your adrenaline can also be used to get ready. If you don’t stretch after a tough workout or hike and aren’t used to it, your body will let you know. It doesn’t become a problem when you stretch after a workout or other intense activity.

9.     Be in the Right Mindset

And if you think the hike will be easy, you shouldn’t mind having to keep going. But it’s hard if you’re hiking for days on end. Why is it important to be in the right frame of mind? Don’t give up on yourself. Right now, the only thing stopping you is yourself. Remember your goal and how far you’ve come. Think good thoughts and have faith in yourself. I know how you feel, but remember what Dory said in Finding Nemo: “Just keep swimming, swimming, swimming.” You can do this!

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Vandrarleden trail in Sweden

Check SummitStrength to learn more about your mindset while hiking.

10.  Keep Hydrated

Last of all, Hydrate yourself regularly. If you want to keep that body moving smoothly, you need water. On hot days, water is definitely needed and you can become dehydrated if you don’t take care of yourself. Even if you’re going on a short hike, I recommend a water bottle to go with you. You can have a day pack with a first aid kit, a water bottle, rain jacket, and snacks. Now, you’re ready to go!

 

Hiking in Sweden

If you’re planning a journey to Europe for a great hiking experience, check out Hiking in Sweden. It’s a country that’s filled with nature! Check it out!

If you’re wanting to practice social distancing, what better thing to do than hike! Check out this article about hiking and social distancing. If you want to find other information on hikes, check out Top 100 Hiking Blogs.

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