Get Hiking with Hillfit

Fall is a really great time of year to recreate.  You can still go outside to run, bike, take long walks and do some hiking.  With cooler weather and the changing of the foliage, it makes these activities even more rewarding and pleasant to perform.

I have to admit, I’ve never really went hiking.  Well, I’m sure I’ve hiked before but not with the intention of going out to specifically hike for the day.  I’m still trying to get as many riding days in as I can on my road bike but want to add another element to my recreation and fitness program so I’m strongly considering doing some hiking.  Now, although I’m not terribly experienced in hiking as I just mentioned, I would recommend that you don’t poo-poo the idea of needing to be in some kind of physical condition to hike safely.  Hiking properly is more than just walking over some rocks, watching out for low-hanging branches and experiencing nature, it’s also about being strong and conditioned enough to help protect yourself from injury and so you can get the most out of the activity in a positive way.

Chris Highcock of Conditioning Research Blog does a wonderful job in his book HILLFIT.  Check it out….

Strength: the most important thing that the average person needs for fitness in the mountains. 

You will discover:

• Why fitness is the ultimate piece of hillwalking kit
• How getting stronger can give you more enjoyment from your time in the outdoors
• How to train if you can’t get to a gym
• Why simple training is the best option
• How strength makes everything easier, even walking
• Why stronger muscles are more efficient
• Why being stronger makes you less likely to get injured, making each walk safer
• How strength training can make you healthier: fight the effects of ageing & burn body fat
• Why strength training will give you stronger bones
• How flexibility is built on strong muscles rather than stretching
• Why balance is vital to walking and how it relies on strength
• How strength training can give you improved cardiovascular fitness without boring hours on the treadmill
• The simple principles that make muscles stronger
• The reasons why not every activity should qualify as exercise
• Why you still need develop skills as a walker
• How exercise in the outdoors can banish depression
• Key techniques to make every exercise more effective, even the humble pushup
• How to choose safe and effective moves that the minimise the injury risk of training, leaving you fit for the hills
• A simple routine of exercise, with harder options to try as you get stronger, that you can start to apply right now
• Why you should not stretch before exercise and what you should do to warm up instead.