Hiking is supposed to be relaxing, right? We hit the trail to escape the stress of work and technology and revel in the solitude of nature. But sometimes, finding peace isn’t as easy as just donning your pack and putting one foot in front of the other. Your back hurts, a storm rolls in, or you just aren’t able to turn off your busy brain and be present.
Need a little help dialing down the mental noise? Try a combination of our best exercises for relieving physical and mental stress so you can get back to the fun parts of hiking. Try them in camp, at the trailhead, or on your lunch break.
February 13, 2021
Pam Moore
THE WASHINGTON POST – If you took up hiking during the pandemic, you’re not alone. Data from the Outdoor Industry Association indicates that of all the outdoor activities that spiked in popularity between 2019 and 2020, hiking saw the sharpest rise.
If winter’s chilly temperatures and short days are keeping you away from the trails, don’t sweat it. The offseason is an excellent time to work on developing the mental fortitude, endurance, strength and flexibility to hit the trails running (well, hiking) once the ice melts.
Taking time off from hiking now can prevent future injuries, said Gwen Buchanan, a physical therapist in Pennsylvania who is preparing to hike the entire Appalachian Trail. The most common hiking problems she sees include ankle and back injuries, as well as meniscal tears in the knees. Building strength, balance and endurance can help prevent falls and injuries once you return to your favourite trails, Buchanan says.
Indoor exercises to prepare you for hiking the great outdoors
27 Jan 2021 - 16:10
By Pam Moore | The Washington Post
If you took up hiking during the pandemic, you re not alone. Data from the Outdoor Industry Association indicates that of all the outdoor activities that spiked in popularity between 2019 and 2020, hiking saw the sharpest rise.
If winter s chilly temperatures and short days are keeping you away from the trails, don t sweat it. The offseason is an excellent time to work on developing the mental fortitude, endurance, strength and flexibility to hit the trails running (well, hiking) once the ice melts.
Taking time off from hiking now can prevent future injuries, says Gwen Buchanan, a physical therapist in Pennsylvania who is preparing to hike the entire Appalachian Trail. The most common hiking problems she sees include ankle and back injuries, as well as meniscal tears in the knees. Building strength, balance and endurance can help prevent falls and injuries onc