Nothing beats strapping a pack on your back and heading out into the great outdoors. Whether you prefer a rocky terrain, a plush green forest, or land that abounds with river and lakes, one thing is clear: you must have the right equipment to do the job. This starts with making sure you are fit in a way that best benefits this type of exercise.
With that thought in mind, here are the three pieces of fitness equipment that all backpackers should use:
- Resistance Bands. Because backpacking requires the use of a lot of muscles, primarily in your legs, resistance bands can help you build your quadriceps, hamstrings, and calves in a way that will make navigating the various terrains easier. Ideally, you’ll want to train with a weighted vest to mimic what it is going to feel like while wearing a pack full of your necessary gear and amenities.
- Suspension Training. Engage in suspension training and you can work all muscles groups in your body, but you’ll likely want to focus on your upper body and core. Building the muscles in your arms, back, and stomach is important in backpacking because you will need to be able to support the weight of your pack while keeping proper form. Suspension training can make this easier.
- Fitness Trackers. Fitness trackers are great because they record all sorts of important information, such as how many steps you have walked, the distance you’ve gone, and how many calories you have burned. This helps you plan your route and eating staples, allowing you to know what you need to know to successfully get through your backpacking adventure.
All three of these pieces of equipment can help make your backpacking trips easier and more fun. If you are a backpacker, what equipment do you use to stay in shape?
