Fitness health and hiking: Getting ready for that big adventure

Hiking is awesome. There's so much of the world and nature to see.

For today's blog, Garry Y. Itkin compiled a few workout tips to help hikers everywhere get ready for that big adventure. Here are five adventurous and efficient ways you can get your body prepared for hiking.

1) Walk the trails around you. If you've got trails nearby, take advantage of them. Doing short hikes to prepare for a massive one can help you build up strength and endurance gradually without straining yourself too quickly. It's also an excellent way to determine how much weight you'll need to pack.

2) Hike up that hill. Strength is important, but without good balance and endurance, your hike will quickly turn into a nightmare. Do some hikes where you're required to climb uphill the entire way. Not only do these challenges test your strength, but they also help you develop endurance as your body works overtime to produce energy continually.

3) Do some squats. Lunges and squats are two excellent exercises to increase your lower body strength, which will come in handy when trekking up hills or carrying a heavy backpack.

4) Add some weight. Adding weight to your workout can be extremely beneficial for hikers. Try adding ankle weights or even lifting weights with your arms. The extra weight will make your workout more difficult and help strengthen the muscles you'll need on the trail.

5) Stretch often. Hiking can be stressful on your muscles. If you do some basic stretching before and after exercising, you'll be more than ready to take that big hike, Garry Y. Itkin adds.