Hiking: A New Breed of Stability Training

My wife she loves hiking, and since we live in sunny AZ this is actually the perfect time of year to go.

Me I hate it.

I actually kind find it senseless to walk somewhere without a purpose.

I love to fish and hunt so my hiking has always been about chasing something or getting from Point A to Point B in order to be able to do what you want.

Ever, since moving to the city my hunting and fishing has dramatically decreased to the point where in 2007 I did do 1 day of either.

My fault for neglecting something I love to do, but that is another post entirely.

During the two weeks of holiday break this year I took a couple hiking trips with my wife; and guess what?

I found two huge benefits of hiking.

1. It is great for the ankles, knees and back.

Hiking is a much more unstable and dynamic exercise than anything that you can do on a wobble board, stability ball, or one of those stupid BOSU Balls.

And

It's real life.

My personal story on this is: when I was hunting quail a lot a few years ago, I never had any ankle problems. Last year I hunted only 1 or 2 times and I severely sprained both ankles during my competitive sport season.

I also notice that the unstable and dynamic activity also caused my back to be active and move in areas where it may normally be stiff.

Sure I am only a case study of one but I think there might be something to it.

2. The other benefit of hiking is what I call mental reprieve and fresh training.

Far too many of us spend, too much time cooped up in our houses.

Certain people are outraged by the way chickens and pigs are treated; when they really ought be outraged about locking themselves indoors 23 1/2 hours per day.

The caveat here you have to get off the beaten path or get out early; because if you don't you will totally have to fight the damn crowds, which will totally negate this benefit.

Well there you have it I am officially a convert, I love hiking not as much as hunting or fishing but it will do for the time being.

So long as you don't have to run into too damn many of those 'city slickers' out mucking up your peace, quiet, and stability training.


PS - In my humble opinion a challenging hiking trail is that only way that walking ever counts as exercise.



Enjoy



Troy M Anderson

Walking Doesn't Count

Walking Doesn't Count

The vast majority of my 1 on 1 client have heard this from me, "Walking Does NOT Count Exercise".

This maybe shocking to some of you, but my logic is simple. Most of us were born with and still have two completely functional legs.

We are meant to walk.

It is what we as humans are SUPPOSED to do.

So unless you are obese >50lbs overweight walking doesn't not count as exercise.

If you are obese and walking to your mailbox has you sweating like you are in a Richard Simmons 'Sweatin' To the Oldies' video.

Then get to walkin'.

Be forewarned walking will likely only be a viable options for a few months until it stagnates.

This is a classic line that I get from clients they come back from vacation: 'We sure walked a lot'. Yep, I bet you did, sure hope you didn't over exert yourself (sarcasm).

Just because you performing an activity that you do not normally perform does not make it exercise i.e. walking for most people.

In order for an activity to qualify as exercise there needs to be planning, intent, and progression.

This lends it self to the question what is walking if it is not exercise?

It falls into the category of NEPA Non-Exercise Physical Activity; this includes yard work, house cleaning, etc...

Of course the next question is: Is walking good for you?

Yes absolutely, but more as a stress management tool, therapeutic so to speak.

Personally, I like to use them to get my dog some exercise. It is also used as my special 'think tank' time. I have come up with pretty cool business ideas while out walking.

I also really enjoy going for a walk with my wife it really allows us some really great undivided communication time. Plus, it gets us off the computer or out from in front of the TV.

So don't necessarily stop your walking just realize that it is NOT exercise.

Stay tuned, in an upcoming blog I will be sharing some thoughts with you about walking's big brother hiking, and couple of unknown benefit to hiking.


Troy M Anderson
Tempe, AZ Women's Fitness Bootcamp