Do you want to hike, but don’t know what you will need for your hiking excursion? I have the everything you will need to know for a great hiking experience.

Hiking requires very little equipment, but having the right gear is necessary. You will also want to prepare your body for hiking. These two main topics will ensure that you will have a fantastic hiking experience.

Workout Preparation

If you have a gym membership then I highly suggest the StarMaster (Gauntlet). Ten to fifteen minutes on the StairMaster is enough.  Always work your way up when you feel ready to increase the time.

In addition, plan out a walk in a hilly area and wooded trail so you can practice on uneven terrain, and condition your heart for walking up the hills.

Start training on hills and trails for at least 30 minutes and again increase your time. While practicing, if you experience your heart rate too high, either decrease your duration of walking or be sure to take breaks to get your heart rate down. Everyone is different.

If you have never been hiking in the mountains, make sure you give yourself plenty of time to practice before your excursion. Most hikes can be a least an hour or two.

Over the years, I have been on many long hikes to high peaks, and they are about six to eight-hour hikes. So please make sure the hike is appropriate for experience, and make sure you feel ready for it!

If you are an experienced hiker and want to try more difficult mountains, then make sure you increase your workouts appropriately.

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Hiking Gear

Purchase hiking shoes that are supportive and are comfortable.  I am a professional dancer and I have strong ankles, so I do not need the high top hiking shoe. If you need that extra support in your ankles then I think a high top is necessary for you.  The more difficult mountains are steeper and you will need the support!

The hiking shoe I recommended above is leather because if you are hiking through water and mud or puddles, you want to keep your feet dry.  The more breathable hiking shoe is nice on dry trails.

This year I purchased hiking poles, and I love them. My recent hiking vacation, I hiked up some hard mountains and found that the poles were useful. The poles took pressure off of my knees as I climbed and descended.

If you follow my advice you should be ready for your hike. Enjoy your hiking experience the smart way. Now, get out there and indulge yourself into nature!