Need to get in shape fast

2009-03-28 19:42:45

#1

mtb0minime: minimember; +2,418|7083

For a class I'm taking next quarter ("Mountain Hydrology"), there will be hiking in the Sierras, and lots of it. Apparently the biggest day is a 15-mile hike in the snow with fatty backpacks. I'm completely out of shape and haven't exercised in a long time, so I need to do everything I can to get prepared for this. I plan on swimming a couple of days a week, along with daily squats/push-ups/situps. There's a gym at my school, and it's a good one, but it's almost always crowded, so I'd like to do whatever I can around the apartment. I'm thinking of loading up a backpack with some books and just hiking up and down the stairwell as long as I can, and ramp it up to a few times a day as I get better. Fortunately I'm blessed with big quads and calves and thick, strong legs, but my weakness is stamina (oh and mild asthma doesn't help much either).

Anything else I should do? (with regards to diet and exercise)

2009-03-28 19:45:12

#2

CameronPoe: Member; +2,925|6983

Forget about swimming. Just get on a treadmill and don't stop. Do a couple of hikes too, like you said.

2009-03-28 19:46:27

#3

NateW: my sigs worse than yours; +191|6561

Jog, and throw in some sprints.

2009-03-28 19:47:32

#4

Roc18: `; +655|6219|PROLLLY PROLLLY PROLLLY

Roids

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2009-03-28 19:47:34

#5

FatherTed: xD; +3,936|6928|so randum

Swimmings only really good for toning, trust me. Get running/jogging/cycling. Anything out of the pool that involves Cardio. Throw in some leg related weight excersises.

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2009-03-28 19:58:36

#6

Sidsnot: Banned; +93|5990|Stoke, England

fartlek

2009-03-28 20:00:37

#7

OrangeHound: Busy doing highfalutin adminy stuff ...; +1,335|7077|Washington DC

mtb0minime wrote:
I'm thinking of loading up a backpack with some books and just hiking up and down the stairwell as long as I can, and ramp it up to a few times a day as I get better.

This will work, but you don't need the backpack ... just run up (or go fast) up and down the stairs. Do it until you tire. Get your breath back. Repeat. Push yourself. Go for 40-50 minutes per day.

And, as others have said, forget swimming.

2009-03-28 20:01:56

#8

elite.mafia: Banned; +122|6882|USA

Running, and biking is all I ever do, and I'm always in pretty good shape.
btw - a 15 mile hike isn't that much, trust me.
Also eat lots and lots of carbs and protein.

Last edited by elite.mafia (2009-03-28 20:02:47)

2009-03-28 20:07:31

#9

Flaming_Maniac: prince of insufficient light; +2,490|7135|67.222.138.85

I am going to have to go against the grain some here.

If your cardio isn't so good swimming can help a lot with that...it's easier to go at a slower pace for a longer time while swimming. It's obviously not going to help you actually improve your strength, but that's not the problem. It is great cardio.

You need to be getting used to hiking with a backpack. I don't know what you're considering a "heavy" backpack but you definitely need to get some weight on your back. I would be trying to walk at least 1-2 miles a day, then 5-10 a day on weekends with weight on your back along with everything else if you have time. If there are hills around your area find those, but backpacking on flat concrete is going to help you more than running up stairs or lifting weights.

I don't know how experienced you are with stuff like this. Doing some actual hikes will help you to understand how to pack your backpack, where to carry the weight, if your shoes are appropriate, what your water consumption is like, what you should be eating to keep from cramping if that's a problem, etc.

elite.mafia wrote:
Running, and biking is all I ever do, and I'm always in pretty good shape.
btw - a 15 mile hike isn't that much, trust me.
Also eat lots and lots of carbs and protein.

15 in the mountains with a pack is a bitch, or maybe you're just waaaaaaay more of a man than me.

2009-03-28 20:36:22

#10

AussieReaper: ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°); +5,761|6581|what

NateWiese wrote:
Jog, and throw in some sprints.

2009-03-28 20:42:50

#11

argo4: Stand and Deliver; +86|6361|United States

Flaming_Maniac wrote:
I am going to have to go against the grain some here.

If your cardio isn't so good swimming can help a lot with that...it's easier to go at a slower pace for a longer time while swimming. It's obviously not going to help you actually improve your strength, but that's not the problem. It is great cardio.

You need to be getting used to hiking with a backpack. I don't know what you're considering a "heavy" backpack but you definitely need to get some weight on your back. I would be trying to walk at least 1-2 miles a day, then 5-10 a day on weekends with weight on your back along with everything else if you have time. If there are hills around your area find those, but backpacking on flat concrete is going to help you more than running up stairs or lifting weights.

I don't know how experienced you are with stuff like this. Doing some actual hikes will help you to understand how to pack your backpack, where to carry the weight, if your shoes are appropriate, what your water consumption is like, what you should be eating to keep from cramping if that's a problem, etc.

elite.mafia wrote:
Running, and biking is all I ever do, and I'm always in pretty good shape.
btw - a 15 mile hike isn't that much, trust me.
Also eat lots and lots of carbs and protein.
15 in the mountains with a pack is a bitch, or maybe you're just waaaaaaay more of a man than me.

i think he is a better man than you!

2009-03-28 20:48:18

#12

Kmar: Truth is my Bitch; +5,695|7029|132 and Bush

Swimming is good for cardio. Just make sure you don't push yourself when you're alone. I'm being serious.

Xbone Stormsurgezz

2009-03-28 20:57:16

#13

bugz: Fission Mailed; +3,311|6740

If you haven't already, buy a good comfortable pair of hiking boots and break them in.

Like others have said, with a hiking pack on, start small and work your way up to 15 miles per walk/hike.

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2009-03-28 21:02:16

#14

FatherTed: xD; +3,936|6928|so randum

Kmarion wrote:
Swimming is good for cardio. Just make sure you don't push yourself when you're alone. I'm being serious.

As a used to be quite good swimmer, i'd honestly say swimming exercises you totally different than jogging/running will. Swimming will make you overall extremely fit, but the stuff this guy wants to do needs a different skillset, he needs more legwork.

Small hourglass island
Always raining and foggy
Use an umbrella

2009-03-28 21:02:47

#15

Flaming_Maniac: prince of insufficient light; +2,490|7135|67.222.138.85

Ahhhh I forgot, sweet jesus make sure your boots are broken in before you go, or you will be one sad camper.

2009-03-28 21:04:53

#16

Kmar: Truth is my Bitch; +5,695|7029|132 and Bush

FatherTed wrote:
Kmarion wrote:
Swimming is good for cardio. Just make sure you don't push yourself when you're alone. I'm being serious.
As a used to be quite good swimmer, i'd honestly say swimming exercises you totally different than jogging/running will. Swimming will make you overall extremely fit, but the stuff this guy wants to do needs a different skillset, he needs more legwork.

I would suggest a combination... including low impact.

Xbone Stormsurgezz

2009-03-28 21:04:59

#17

FatherTed: xD; +3,936|6928|so randum

Flaming_Maniac wrote:
Ahhhh I forgot, sweet jesus make sure your boots are broken in before you go, or you will be one sad camper.

This

Small hourglass island
Always raining and foggy
Use an umbrella

2009-03-28 21:14:59

#18

thtthht: maximum bullshit; +50|6759|teh alien spaceshit

Make your legs stronger, and jog a lot.
Train your heart for both the short burst of energy and long runs-your gonna need both.
Hike in your local mountains whenever you have time.

2009-03-28 21:17:37

#19

AussieReaper: ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°); +5,761|6581|what

Flaming_Maniac wrote:
Ahhhh I forgot, sweet jesus make sure your boots are broken in before you go, or you will be one sad camper.

Make sure you take the lunch mum packed for you, and take two pairs of socks and fresh underwear just in case.

2009-03-28 21:19:33

#20

usmarine: Banned; +2,785|7190

hmm..well people arrived in my platoon at boot camp out of shape for some reason. just like 3 or 4 of them. yelling seemed to work pretty good. hire me and i will berate you into shape.

2009-03-28 22:38:10

#21

mtb0minime: minimember; +2,418|7083

Thanks for the great advice so far

Oh and yes I've got hiking boots and yes they're broken in. And I'm sure I might be making this out to be a bigger deal than it is, but honestly I need to get back into shape, and this is a good excuse. ...Plus I don't want to be the guy in the group holding everyone back

And usmarine if you can fly out to LA, I'd love to have you berate me. I'm such an unmotivated lazyass that the only thing that really works is having someone yell at me and push me on. It's worked before.

2009-03-28 22:40:20

#22

The A W S M F O X: I Won't Deny It; +172|6112|SQUID

freebase an 8ball just before you start the hike, you will feel great.

Last edited by The A W S M F O X (2009-03-28 22:53:15)

2009-03-28 22:47:43

#23

thtthht: maximum bullshit; +50|6759|teh alien spaceshit

dude, if you know Mt. Baldy, hike the mountain whenever you can.
It is very good.

2009-03-29 04:06:37

#24

Noobeater: Northern numpty; +194|6875|Boulder, CO

Medium intensity interval training through running works quite nicely for improving cardio and stamina. It doesn't take very long to do either, its just 30 minutes or so every other day. Of course mixing it with proper runs will help further.

a 15 mile hike with a backpack isn't that bad, you just need to have a well packed backpack, good boots and the right food. I forgot to have the right food so ended up surviving of off packs of noodles for a week whilst hiking 24k a day... That is not fun as though you have the carbohydrates necessary to keep moving you have no protein to heal your muscles and its fucking dull.

I'd be more worried about the snow to be quite honest rather than the distance, you need to make sure your boots are completely waterproof, you have good gaitors and good waterproof trousers.

2009-03-29 04:17:19

#25

.Sup: be nice; +2,646|6881|The Twilight Zone

I run up the hill. Recommended.

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BF2S Forums Need to get in shape fast

mtb0minime wrote:

elite.mafia wrote:

NateWiese wrote:

Flaming_Maniac wrote:

elite.mafia wrote:

Kmarion wrote:

FatherTed wrote:

Kmarion wrote:

Flaming_Maniac wrote:

Flaming_Maniac wrote:

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