How to Stretch for Hiking
Hiking is indeed a great hobby. It not only helps you improve fitness, but also allows observing nature closely. One can’t become a good hiker overnight. You will surely feel exhausted after walking a few miles, especially in the hilly areas.
One simple mistake that most of the beginners make is that they go out for hiking without warming up their body. Stretching is extremely important in this regard. If you get all stretched out before hiking, you will certainly feel a lot looser and energetic. Stretching could also help you avoid several injuries as well as cramps.
Instructions
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1
Before any sort of stretching, warm up your body a little. This can be done easily by walking around. Stretching without any warm up could prove devastating for the muscles. You can jump rope to get the blood pumping.
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2
If you have been driving for hours, take a few minutes of rest before stretching. Start it with a few basic stretching techniques. Stretch each leg one by one, while pulling your head in towards your knee.
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3
Find a tree or anything other support to stand straight and sturdy. Stand on one leg, and bring the other one towards your hips. Grab your ankle with your hand, and pull gently to stretch the quadriceps. Don’t overstretch anything. Repeat the same movement with the other leg.
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4
It is the time to stand with legs wide apart. In order to stretch the groin muscle, bend one leg and lean towards one direction. You can stretch your back by leaning forward.
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5
After finishing with the legs, pull your arms across to stretch your shoulders. It is however not essential, because the arms hardly have any role to play in hiking. When stretching, more focus should be on the legs.
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6
Find a neat place to lie on your back. Bend one leg while stretching the other one forward. Now try to grab the toes to stretch your back muscles. You can also pull the uncrossed leg towards your chest to give a push to your buttock muscles.
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7
It is not a good idea to ignore hamstring muscle. To stretch it, place your heel on a chair and then lean forward very gently. Don’t overstretch, otherwise you will crack your muscles.
