Summit Strength
Menu

TRAINING FOR HIKING TIPS

Find out more about what it takes to reach the Summit

'Optimal' Training For Hikers

10/25/2020

0 Comments

 
Picture

One of my core philosophies are a coach, is to present and share training and preparation strategies which are practical for a hiker to follow.

 
My whole intention with the information I share (and use myself) is how can a hiker, trekker or backpacker, see the best results, with the least amount of effort and stress?
 
I firmly believe that this is the key to success for 99% of people out there.
 
And this is also why I rarely talk about what is 'optimal' in your training.
 
Because optimal is almost never practical.
 
And if something is not practical, then it probably isn't a great recommendation for the majority of people.
 
Let me give you a few examples:
 
When it comes to recovery, sleep is incredibly important. And, according to the research, for someone who is doing a lot of training, about 10 hours a night of sleep is considered 'optimal'...
 
But you will never hear me pushing this because for most people this is just not practical.
 
Or when it comes to improving performance, having some caffeine before you train or hike, can be a great aid. And, according to the research, having the equivalent of about five coffees before training is considered 'optimal'...
 
But you will never hear me recommending this because it is not practical.
 
And when it comes to injury prevention and performance, strength training is incredibly important. And, according to a lot of the research, doing most of your work at 85% of your 1RM or higher (i.e. six reps or less) is considered 'optimal'...
 
But I don't advocate for this above all else, because I know this is not realistic for most hikers out there.
 
Optimal is rarely practical.
 
But this doesn't matter.
 
Because we are not Olympic Athletes who are trying to shave every last millisecond off our race times...
We are hikers who are looking to get fit, strong and pain-free for the trail.
 
So we can ensure a safe, enjoyable and successful adventure, wherever that may be.
 
That does not mean we have to chase 'optimal' training recommendations without any regard for anything else.
 
It means following smart and proven training methods, which fit in and around our lives.
 
And in all honesty, if you do this well, it will get 99% of hikers much further then they could ever imagine.
 
Yours in trekking,
 
Rowan
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Author

    Rowan is a personal trainer who specialises in training for hiking, trekkers and mountaineers for their bucket list adventures.

    Archives

    September 2023
    August 2023
    July 2023
    June 2023
    May 2023
    April 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018

    Categories

    All
    About Rowan Smith
    Aerobic Training
    Altitude Mask
    Altitude Sickness
    Altitude Training
    Ankle Pain
    Back Pain
    Balance
    Best Exercises For Hiking
    Book Review
    Breathing
    Cardio
    Case Studies
    Challenge Event
    Challenge Hike
    Cold Weather
    Continental Divide Trail
    Core Training
    Cramps
    Desert Hiking
    Downhill Hiking
    Elevation Training
    Endurance
    Equipment
    Everest Base Camp
    Extreme Environments
    Fitness Assessments
    Fitness Tests
    Foot Pain
    Guest Posts
    Gym Training
    Health
    High Altitude
    High Intensity Training
    Hiking Speed
    Home Workouts
    Hot Weather
    Hump Ridge Track
    Inca Trail
    Injury Prevention
    Interval Training
    Kilimanjaro
    Knee Pain
    Larapinta Trail
    Media Appearances
    Mental Strength
    Mera Peak
    Mindset
    Mini-course
    Mobility
    Mountaineering
    Multi Day Hike
    Multi-day Hike
    Muscular Endurance
    Newsletter
    Nutrition
    Oxfam
    Pacific Crest Trail
    Pack Training
    Planning-and-logistics
    Plantar Fasciitis
    Plyometrics
    Podcast
    Recovery
    Running
    Shoulder Pain
    Strength Training
    Summit Strength Method
    Summit-strength-method
    Te Araroa
    The-overland-track
    Thruhiking
    Thru-hiking
    Time Efficient Training
    Timeefficient-training
    Trektips
    Trek-tips
    Trektraining
    Trek-training
    Uphill-hiking
    Upper-body-training
    Warm-up
    Weight-loss
    Workouts
    Workout-tips

    RSS Feed

About

Summit Strength is a personal training for hiking service created specifically to help hikers have the best chance of a safe, enjoyable and successful adventure. 
Picture

Company

About
Blog
Podcast
Terms and Conditions
Privacy Policy
Disclaimer
Trusted Partners

Services

Online Summit Program

Support

Contact

Address

4/30 Pitt St
Sydney
​2000

© COPYRIGHT 2018. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Website Design by My Personal Trainer Website
  • Home
  • About
  • Online Training
  • Success Stories
  • Contact
  • Blog
  • Home
  • About
  • Online Training
  • Success Stories
  • Contact
  • Blog