Never been hiking and freaking out!!?

[hannahbannah]

Ok, So I have to go on a hiking trip in about a month from now and I never have been hiking before. I bought some hiking boots and I was told that I should try and break them in so I've been wearing them around the house. I also bought a hiking backpack. I don't really have hiking trails around my house but I'm not in very good shape and I have a feeling I will "die" if I don't train/get in shape for this hike...I have a treadmill and stairs if that works...well...anyone have some tips on how to get "fit" in a month?

 

[Spunk]

Just go jogging at least 4 times a week. Go for a high duration of time as opposed to a high speed - that would be more effective for your purposes (of course, if you CAN go fast, that never hurts). Do lunges. Those work your quads. Maybe some crunches here and there... you should be fine.

Is this reall just a hiking trip? or are you backpacking (overnight hiking, everything you will ever survive on is in your backpack)?

 

[Curt]

Jogging with ankle weights. Your stairs would work wonders if you the the will power to keep at it. Load your pack with about half your gear you'll be taking. Walk your stairs till your good and tired ( don't over do it cause your legs are going to be sore as all get out ) . Next day add a little more gear and do it again. So on and so fourth till your loaded with everything your taking. Then start adding Extra weight just to train with. I would think walking your stairs for maybe twenty five mins a day adding a little weight to the pack would not only get your legs in shape, but would have your back and shoulders ready for the pack also.

 

[Cora]

This depends on the type of trail you are being taken on. If you have any say in where you go, insist on an amateur trail with few major hills and with easy terrain. Make sure your guide/hiking buddy knows that you are an amateur so that they can give you additional instructions. If they don't know that you're new to this, they might assume that you know things that you don't.
Also, make sure whoever you are going with is an experienced outdoorsman/woman. If no one in the group is very experienced, stay on clearly marked amateur trails, bring a map, and don't go into densely wooded areas. If a group of rookie hikers wander into an extremely remote area, that's just asking to end up on the 9'o'clock news.

Don't freak out. Hiking is fun and healthy recreation, it just requires a steady head, and some common sense and experience.

As for getting in shape, walking the treadmill with incline (if your treadmill has that option) and stairs are a great way to practice for hiking. Just remember, that with a backpack and boots, actual hiking may be a lot different than your indoor treadmill experience.

 

[Lynn149]

Don't worry, hiking is so much fun! you get to see the great outdoors! You can go outside and walk around the block a few times. If there are some big rocks by your house, you can practice walking/climbing over them. I suggest you bring a camera on your hiking trip. Who knows, you might see a wonderful view of scenery and want to keep it with you! Have fun.

 

[confusedmonkey]

I think you'll be fine. hiking is just walking. if you want to "train" i would suggest going for long walks, take your friends so you don't get bored. and hiking isn't a competitive sport. if you need to stop and rest i'm reasonably sure whomever you're with will stop and let you rest

 

[Rob]

hiking isn't very hard, generally speaking it's not something that one would have to train for. however, you seem to want to make sure your as prepared as you can be, so i would suggest that you load 15 to 20 lbs into your back pack and walk several miles with it on your back while wearing your hiking boots every day. doing this would accomplish a few things. it will break in your hiking boots. it will get you used to walking for extended periods of time with roughly the weight of the supplies you will need on your back. also it will build your stamina.