Physical Preparation

You're going to hear conflicting advice when it comes to preparing, physically, for a long hike on the Appalachian Trail. Some people will say, "Oh, the trail will get you in shape, so don't worry too much" while others will insist that you begin a strict training regimen of both intense exercise and diet. Both have valid points in some ways. Nothing will prepare you for hiking all day, every day, except doing it, so in a sense, the first group is correct in that actually being on your hike is the most effective way of getting better at hiking. Conversely, being in the best possible shape you can achieve before your hike certainly isn't going to hurt. The entire hike becomes easier, both on your body and on your mind, if climbing those mountains isn't as hard because your cardio is good, your legs aren't getting sore because you've been working them hard (running, hiking, biking, lifting weights, etc.), and you aren't having to feel as weak and tired because you spent the six months leading up to the hike losing 20 lbs off your belly's "baseweight". There isn't an objective answer to this question and how you choose to physically prepare for your hike will not be determinative to your success or failure, but doing anything you can do to make the hike easier can only help, so here are a few basic physical preparation tips before your hike.