Treks hold an amazing experience. With it comes the responsibility to train oneself for the trek as the terrain is not smooth. There are various altitudes; paths and microclimate that our body needs to endure.
Machu Picchu in Peru is one of the most visited spots in the world. The Salkantay Trek is the second most popular route to Machu Picchu, the first being the Inca Trail. People are often worried about how to train for Salkantay trek? Well, we have got you covered.
No trek is easy in Peru. The Salkantay Trek is fairly difficult. You will be heading up to great elevations. The terrain will be tough.
Climbing and coming down throughout the trek can also be hard on your joints, especially ankles and knees. You can take the help of walking poles to hell you through the entire journey. This would exert less pressure on your body.
Day 2 of this trek is quite difficult. You will walk for more than 10 hours straight through the difficult terrain. This is not for feeble souls. You need to endure the winding path up the Salkantay Trek that is steep as well. For these reasons, you need to understand how to train for Salkantay trek?
The first thing that the Salkantay Mountain trek demands are cardiovascular endurance. It can be attained via aerobic training. Physically, you need to concentrate on retaining good cardiovascular fitness. Stress on workouts that pump blood to the heart and assist your lung capacity to expand.
Strength endurance can be built through strength conditioning. If you wish to have hiking-specific training, you can do it via the hiking package that many trainers provide.
Being in great physical shape is one of the considerably significant factors for success on a high-altitude trek. During your exercise, you must be intending to progressively boost up your pace and duration.
If you are thinking of How to train for Salkantay trek, you need to build tolerance for it. Proper exercises comprise Hiking, cycling, running, and swimming. Walking on a treadmill, stair-stepping or stepmill training, working on an elliptical machine, trail running and walking up and down hills will help a lot. Swimming, Biking, and rowing are cardiovascular exercises for the off-season or earliest stages of your training.
Participating in step aerobic classes is also a good idea. You need to bring your walking boots on for the trek. You should also spend a few hours every week walking in the countryside.
How to train for Salkantay trek? The most appropriate answer after cardiovascular endurance is to build stamina.
You should get to a level where you can do strenuous cardiovascular activities for around half an hour without feeling like you are going to blackout. Cross-fit, Spinning classes, Zumba or aerobics are also extraordinary workout exercises.
In terms of stability and endurance training, you must concentrate on workouts that serve both your upper body and your legs. There are many strength routines that one could follow. Exercises like shoulder presses, Kettle Bell rows, flyes for the upper body and lunges and squats for the legs show considerable results.
Ultimately, you need to be sure that your joints and muscles are supple. It is recommended to do 10 minutes of stretching exercises every morning. It improves suppleness and flexibility.
You should be well-prepared to start the trek. You need to stay healthy and moderately fit to complete this hike. The altitude of the mountain in Salkantay trek is higher than other mountains in Cusco (Peru).
