The sun’s out, the hiking boots are laced up, and the mountains are calling—loudly. With blue skies overhead and warm rays on your skin, it’s that time of year when the trails start whispering your name. Whether you’re heading out for a peaceful solo trek, a calorie-burning family hike, or a full-day mountain adventure with friends, there’s no better way to reconnect with nature and recharge your spirit.
But here’s the deal: The trail doesn’t care if you’re an avid hiker or just an average Jane or Joe looking to soak in some views. It will challenge you regardless. And one of the best ways to make those hikes more enjoyable, less painful, and a whole lot more sustainable? Strength training.
Strong legs power you up steep switchbacks and help you land more safely on tricky descents. A stable core supports your spine and helps prevent lower back fatigue on long hauls. And yes, your upper body matters too, especially when you’re carrying a pack or using trekking poles to keep your rhythm and stability on uneven terrain.
Hiking comes with its fair share of physical demands: rolled ankles, sore knees, cranky hips and backs, but strength training builds the resilience and durability to minimize those risks. It doesn’t just help you move better or last longer during the hike, it helps you rebound and recover faster so you can get back out there sooner.
And don’t be fooled, strength work does transfer to endurance. Building a stronger body improves your efficiency and stamina on the trail. So even if your summer plans involve more trailheads than squat racks, don’t skip your strength days. They’ll make your time outside that much better.
To help you stay trail-ready all summer long, here’s a simple, easy-to-follow strength training plan you can do three times per week. It targets all the right areas: legs, core, and upper body so you can keep putting in miles, making memories, and soaking up that alpine air.
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A 3-Day Weekly Strength Plan for Outdoor Athletes
Focus: Unilateral strength, muscular endurance, joint control, and injury prevention Equipment: Dumbbells, resistance bands, bodyweight, and a bench/step Intensity: Moderate load, higher reps (8–20), slower tempo, technical proficiency Split: M/W/F or T/Th/Sat (non-consecutive days)
Dynamic Warmup (5–7 min before every session)
Perform each for 30–45 sec:
World’s Greatest Stretch (lunge + rotation)
Glute Bridge with Reach
Bodyweight Lateral Lunge + Reach
Band Pull-Aparts or Shoulder Dislocates
Inchworm to Plank with Step Forward
Leg Swings (front/back and side-to-side)
Trail Running Workout Format
A1/A2 = Superset (alternate exercises)
Rest: 30–60 sec between supersets
Sets & Reps: 2–3 sets of 10–15 reps unless noted
Tempo: Controlled (e.g., 2–1–1 or slow eccentrics)
Optional: Add a rucksack or light vest for progression over time
A1. Rear-Foot Elevated Split Squat (dumbbell, bodyweight, or weighted vest)
10–12/side: focus on knee tracking and glute drive
A2. Side Plank with Reach Under
30 sec/side: anti-rotation and core control
B1. Step-Down from Box or Bench
8–10/side: control the eccentric descent
B2. Banded Glute Bridge March
12–16 total: keep tension and isolate glutes
C1. Walking Lunge with Overhead Reach
10–12/side: stretch and strengthen
C2. Bear Crawl (Forward/Backward)
20–30 sec: core, coordination, shoulder stability
Workout B: Upper Body + Unilateral Core Control
Workout B: Upper Body + Unilateral Core Control
Exercise
Reps and Notes
A1. Rear-Foot Elevated Split Squat (dumbbell, bodyweight, or weighted vest)
10–12/side: focus on knee tracking and glute drive
A2. Side Plank with Reach Under
30 sec/side: anti-rotation and core control
B1. Step-Down from Box or Bench
8–10/side: control the eccentric descent
B2. Banded Glute Bridge March
12–16 total: keep tension and isolate glutes
C1. Walking Lunge with Overhead Reach
10–12/side: stretch and strengthen
C2. Bear Crawl (Forward/Backward)
20–30 sec: core, coordination, shoulder stability
Workout C: Full-Body Strength
Workout C: Full-Body Strength
Exercise
Reps and Notes
A1. Single-Leg Glute Bridge with Reach
8–10/side: keep hips level
A2. Alternating Reverse Lunge to Knee Drive
10–12/side: control and balance
B1. Incline Push-Up or Eccentric Push-Up
10–12 reps: slow lowering
B2. Banded Lateral Walk
10-15 steps each direction: glute med focus
C1. Cross-Body Woodchop (explosive)
30 sec.: trunk rotation control
C2. Goblet Squat with Paused Bottom
8–10 reps: hips open, heels grounded
D1. Single Leg Standing Calf Raise
15-20/ side: lower limb training
D2. Single Arm Lat Pull Down
8-12/side: Slight pause at end range
Dudarev Mikhail/Adobe Stock
Cooldown & Recovery
Breathing (5 min)
Stretch Options (Hold 30–45 sec each)
Couch Stretch (hip flexors)
Standing Hamstring or Seated Forward Fold
Figure 4 Stretch (glutes)
Doorway Pec Stretch
90/90 Hip Stretch + Twist
Recovery Breathing (2–3 min)
Lie on your back, feet elevated on a chair or bench
One hand on chest, one on belly
Inhale through nose (4 sec), exhale through mouth (6–8 sec)
Feel belly expand, ribs move laterally
Aim to fully relax the jaw, shoulders, and face
Weekly Flow Recommendation
Day Workout Notes
Mon Workout A Lower + Core
Wed Workout B Upper + Core
Fri Workout C Full Body Strength
You can shift days as needed (e.g., Tue/Thu/Sat), but keep at least 1 day of rest between each session or get your cardiovascular training on the alternate days.
Ways to Progress During this Training Plan
Increase the number of repetitions being performed
Add another set to the exercise
Increase load when top range is met
Reduce rest time to the lower range
Change to a more challenging variation
This plan will help you press the gas and keep your tank full while you’re out on the trail, racking up miles and soaking up the sunshine, because stronger in the gym means stronger out there, too.
