Hiking is an exciting outdoor activity. Apart from the pure thrill of hiking in the woods or the mountains, there are several other benefits of hiking. Hiking is a strenuous physical activity and offers excellent health benefits. Here are some important things every hiker should know.
Exercise Hiking is a physical activity that requires you to be fit. Instead of trying to exercise a lot, it is recommended to exercise a little, but often. If you push yourself too hard working out, it will make your sore, and you will not be able to train for some time. If you are training for a hike, it's best to start walking for 20-minutes, every other day and increase the distance and time 10% every week until the time of the hike. Use a Foam Roller A foam roller is an excellent piece of equipment you can use to exert pressure on tight muscles. If your muscles are stiff, the foam roller can be used to release tension and restore the muscles to optimum length. Using the foam roller on muscles like the hamstrings, calves and quadriceps will help relieve stress and get you ready for your hike. Before and After It is very important to perform dynamic stretches before you start the hike. Preparing your body and muscles for activity is important, and the stretching will help prevent ankle sprains and pulled muscles. Stretching after a hike will help prevent muscle imbalances and helps in speeding up the recovery process. Strength Training Strength training is extremely beneficial to hiking as it helps strengthen important muscles in the body. Spend time strengthening your core, hips, waist and upper legs, as these are the muscles that you will be using the most when you are hiking. Planking is a great way to improve your posture and strengthen the spine muscles. Juleigh Sitton enjoys hiking and is a member of three hiking groups.
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