On this page we will inform you about the Hiking Basics.  The information discussed below will cover topics such as physical readiness, hiking alone or with a group and some training tips on what you can do now that will allow you to move safer and more confidently on the trails. We are here to help guide you so that you can enjoy your time out on the trails even more.

Getting Started

Whether your a beginner or a seasoned outdoor enthusiast it is always vital to know or be reminded of a few basics before you head out to the nearest trail.  Hiking does have some risks but no more then walking out your front door each morning to head to work.  It is best to be prepared physically as well as mentally to fully enjoy just what you are doing.  Over the next few pages you will find more important information regarding things such as The Hiking Gear List, Hiking Safety and The Leave No Trace etiquette.  This information will insure you a great experience and a readiness to explore. First we will start with the few basic essentials.

Hiking Alone

If you are inexperienced hiker and are not familiar with the outdoors then solo hiking would not be the best choice.  Much can go wrong out on the trails. You can get lost which may leave you forced to spend the night in the wild in hopes of someone finding you.  You can of course injure yourself, leaving you extremely vulnerable.  The wild is an amazing place but at the same time it is a very unforgiving place.  When you enter the wild, your phone may not work, you may not ever encounter another person for miles if ever, there will be no easy way out or getting help to you if you ever get lost or injured, so this will leave you to the mercy of the wild.  This is not to scare you but just to insure that you take proper precautions and learn the essentials before you ever head out alone.  Just about all hiking organizations advise against ever hiking alone, this is to insure your safety and enjoyment in the outdoors.  So before you head off alone make sure that you are prepared, extensively experienced and someone knows your trip itinerary.

Hiking with a group

If you are looking to hike and are not sure of just where the best trails are, come join us on our many Guided Hiking trips, through M.P.F. Adventures. By joining us for on one of our group guided hikes our experienced guides will teach you the essentials of hiking in the wilderness. Our group hikes can accommodate up to 10 hikers per guide but depending on the area and goal of the hike this can change.  We will guide you down the right trails, to the highest reaches that the parks offer and educate you on safety and simplicity. Hiking in a group is the best way to start to ensure that the right foot is forward and the know hows are properly managed.

Fitness Basics

Yes, you do need to have a good base of conditioning to fully enjoy a hike and reap the benefits from one, but at the same time you do not have to be an elite athlete to do so. Just about anyone can enjoy a hike and all of the benefits that come along with one. Hiking will require a level of physical ability to ensure safety and enjoyment.  Since hiking takes place on trails that can become very technical and durations that will challenge your endurance, you will want to develop a good base of functional ability. The great thing is that you can quickly develop a solid base of fitness by just following a few simple strategies listed below. You can also explore our Personal Training & Coaching Pages for further information about training with M.P.F., to enable you to fully develop the athlete within you.  Below we will list the conditioning basics to help get you started.

General Cardiorespiratory conditioning

Simply, this means just get moving.  Head out your door and go for a walk at a brisk but relaxed pace.  Concentrate on your breathing and walking with good posture. Start off with a 20 minute walk and build up to an hour straight of continual, uninterrupted walking. Look to accomplish this 3 to 5 times a week with great consistency week in week out.  Remember that it is recommended to exercise a minimum of 30 minutes a day most days of the week. Training the cardiorespiratory system (heart & lungs) will be the base of your hiking foundation.  We will need to be able to move blood and oxygen throughout the body efficiently and effectively. This will allow you to benefit thoroughly from the strength conditioning basics and flexibility basics discussed below.

Flexibility & Mobility

Why flexibility? Today many of us are plagued by poor posture and muscle imbalances, mostly caused by the lack of movement that is required from us on day to day bases. This can eventual lead to an injury and will keep you from benefiting fully from any exercise program. With the advancement of technology and the great distances some of us have to travel to and from work, our lifestyle has become more sedentary then ever before. Many of us are forced to sit for prolonged periods of time, causing the body to adapt to the exposure of excess sitting and lack of movement.  Therefore this will lead to many muscle imbalances which will lead to adjustments in posture and cause the body to turn from a functional machine into a system just trying to survive. We must re-establish the natural ability of the human body and in order to do this we must have a beginning.  So first and foremost, get up and move. Stretch the body, lengthen its tissues, activate the bodies ability to move and stimulate it anyway you can.  Whether its a Yoga class or a series of stretches that you learned from gym class as a child, just begin with it and we will take it from there. Consistency is going to be the key to promoting flexibility. The more you do it, the more you will be rewarded.  During our hikes and as we get to know you, we will recommend certain stretches and movements that will be right for you.

This is only the beginning of what you can do to create a sound physical base for human movement. If you would like to learn more about our personal training services and want to take part in a full fitness & training program that is individually designed for you, just click here to explore more possibilities.