The human body is very specific about how it adapts to activities practiced on a regular basis. If you have a performance goal in a particular sport, you need to practice the movement patterns and type of challenge you can expect in your intended activity. For example, being a good swimmer won’t make you a skilled tennis player or vice- versa, although both activities are good for general health and fitness.
So, if you plan to go hiking, it is ideal to spend time doing just that. But if you live away from mountain trails, how to you prepare for that special trip? It’s a challenge I have faced personally. I love hiking vacations, but I live in Austin, TX, at 400 feet of altitude, a long way from mountain trails.
It is still possible to train eIectively. The key is to identify components of hiking that need to be practiced and find non-hiking activities that provide the right kind of training adaptations. These components fall under 2 categories… (continue Reading)