The Hike Forever Fitness Plan: Age 50-65

The Hike Forever Fitness Plan: Age 65 & Up

Hike your way through your golden years with these specially-crafted fitness tips.

True. The effects of aging seem to accelerate after 65. Also true: “Walking and moving around is the single most important thing older people can do to extend their life expectancy and remain independent,” says Bill Evans, of the University of Arkansas‘s Institute on Aging. Heft a pack, hit uneven terrain, and the balance and strength gains pile up.

The Hike Forever Fitness Plan: Age 18-35

Build your fitness foundation with this essential physiological info, tips on eating right and exercises for staying in prime hiking shape.

At this age, you’re at your physical peak: fast, strong, and quick to recover. That lets you play hard–but without training, you won’t reach your potential or lay a solid foundation for later years. “You only get one shot at making the most of this stage’s optimal physiological and biochemical adaptations.” Start with our age-adapted workout below, then get hiking.

The Hike Forever Fitness Plan: Exercises for Everyone

Use these proven exercises to get in the best hiking shape of your life.

The Hike Forever Fitness Plan: How to Work Out

Get trail-fit fast!

This 4-week program was designed specifically for hikers by trainers Melissa Racouillat of San Francisco’s Stone Clinic and Darren Flagg of Boulder’s Animal Strength Human Performance Lab.