How to Stretch Before Backpacking

Backpacking is a fun and exciting recreational activity that thousands of people enjoy every year! However, there is a right and a wrong way to prepare for your backpacking trip. The wrong way is to naively think one is in excellent physical shape without doing any stretches beforehand. On the contrary, everyone needs to exercise and stretch before any backpacking activity.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

1. Decide which sets of exercises and stretches that you'll perform to get ready for your backpacking activity. There are plenty of backpacking stretches that one can perform, such as hamstring stretches, leg exercises, and calf stretches, among others. Here are three important backpacking stretches, though, that one should allow at least twenty to thirty minutes to perform.
2. Do a series of Leg Swings. Leg swing stretching exercises are pretty easy to do, but they are very important for stretching out your hamstrings and quads for the physical exercise you'll encounter.Perform leg swings by keeping balance on one side of your body by leaning against a tree or side of a building. While having your opposite leg locked, swing it straight out in front of your body and then swing it straight in back of you. Swing your leg 10-15 times. After you've finished with one leg, do the same thing with your opposite leg.
3. Perform a series of Calf Stretches. These are also an easy-to-follow exercise and they stretch your calves and make them more flexible for backpacking.Perform calf stretch by lowering into a squatting position with your knees bent and your palms touching the ground. Lower one of your legs and calves behind you as if you were getting into a running or sprinting position. This will stretch out your leg and stretch your calf. Hold the position for about 5 to 10 seconds. You'll want to repeat this exercise with each calf one right after the other, and stopping after you've finished 20 repetitions.
4. Do a series of Calf Stretches. These calf stretches will also stretch your calves so that you'll have an easier time hiking and backpackng.Sit on the ground with one leg stretched out right in front of you while one leg is tucked in. Stretch out your body and arms toward the toes that are being stretched out being sure to lean and stretch your whole waist and body towards that direction. Repeat with the opposite leg and do at least 5 repetitions on each side.

Tips & Warnings

• Performing cool-down exercises, such as toe-touches and leg stretches, after you are done backpacking will ensure that you're body won't be too stressed out!
• Don't be naive and think that you don't need to stretch before a hearty activity like backpacking. Every athlete knows the importance of exercises and stretching!