[pct-l] Leg Exercises, etc.

[Thomas Jamrog]

The 5/08 issue of Backpacker has another take on this, with some very  
reasonable arguments to consider strengthening connective tissue,  
improve balance and stability, and build muscle strength. 6  
exercises.  You can find it online.  What gave the tips credibility  
was the point that since the trail is rarely free of debris, or flat ,  
that it is pointless to train in only a straight line.   Very creative  
and sensible exercises, particularly  radial lunges and the Bench  
hops. I am desperate to strengthen my ankles.
Uncle Tom

On Feb 4, 2009, at 2:55 PM, t.n. turner wrote:

>
> 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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