Three lower body exercises you need to be doing

Let's face it, hiking isn't a walk in the park. It is absolutely fun and enjoyable but hard work. Whether you're climbing a steady incline without gear or with a 20kg pack, you need to make sure you're mentally and physically ready for the climb. Now add a baby or toddler into the mix and it's a whole new game.

Your lower body and core strength are fundamental for hiking, and even more important when you are carrying, picking up and putting down your child. These exercises are going to be invaluable to your training programme and to keep you hiking with your family for longer!

With these exercises, consistency and progressive overload is vital. Try to increase the load you use, sets and reps or variation of the exercise, depending on your goal.

Squats

Squats are probably the most well known and fundamental lower body exercise. Not only do they build a strong foundation, but they are the perfect exercise to gain strength in the lower body, develop core strength and develop the posture you need to maintain whilst hiking or baby carrying.

Step Ups

Step Ups are probably one of my favourite lower body exercise! But I definitely have a love/hate relationship with them.

As a unilateral exercise, they will help work through any muscular and postural imbalances, build and continually develop glute and quadricep strength and keep a very stable core.

Calf Raises

Ankle mobility and calf strength for hikers and walkers is important as it is the foundation to your hiking ability. Keeping your ankles strong and mobile will help prevent injuries and the accidental rolling over on your ankle to just that, nothing more.

Calf raises can be performed bilaterally (two) or unilaterally (one), and are really effective when both versions are used.

Always conduct a thorough warmup and cool down when conducting physical activity.

Need some warmup inspiration? Check out the next post . . .