[pct-l] Leg Exercises, etc.

[t.n. turner]

My very good friend and personal trainer, had me doing lunges, squats, leg extensions and curls when I was training for my original 04 attempt (200 miles) and again for my 07 attempt (1600 miles that year). It wasn't my legs, knees, or hips that caused me to have to get off trail either of those times and actually I think that doing squats with up to 35 lbs was very helpful in the long run (no pun intended). I also did 'step ups', first without weight and then with weights and then cross over step ups (really aerobic exercise if done right!). At the end I was stepping up on the bench, not the "step aerobic' steps! It was quite invigorating. Happy to give more details on them if ya'll want. I kept all of her lists of exercises and explanations!
tammy t.


> Date: Wed, 4 Feb 2009 11:36:51 -0800
> From: Jblees at energy.state.ca.us
> To: pct-l at backcountry.net; bazleyr at yahoo.co.uk
> Subject: Re: [pct-l] Leg Exercises, etc.
> 
> >>>
> On Wed, 4 Feb 2009 10:12:48 +0000 (GMT) Richard Bazley wrote:
> <snip>
> My trainer told me that too many leg exercises is not good for hiking and running <snip>.  However, was I was training for the AT in 2004, I'm sure I was also doing leg extensions and leg curls in addition to the press. ? Was I flirting with disaster?? Or was my trainer wrong and these types of exercises are fine as pre-hike conditionoing.
> 
> Regards
> 
> St Rick
> **********
> 
> Wildheart replies:
> 
> Dear St Rick,
> 
> I'm a not-in-great-shape, not-a-health-professional, 58-year-old section hiker with bad knees (I've had a miniscectomy on each one).  I find leg curls and leg extensions to be crucial for knee comfort as well as for all-around fitness.  Note, however, that I have read and heard from many sources that leg extensions should be done only halfway down (i.e., extend your leg all the way, but lower it only halfway), and my experience suggests that this is good advice (at least for me).  I have also read and heard that leg presses are bad for folks with bad knees, and they hurt when I do them, so I don't do them.  Caveat:  as always, YMMV.
> 
> As for the lactic acid building up, I have no idea.
> 
> Most important:  have a great hike!
> <<<
> 
> 
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