Spring Training: Exercises for Strong Knees and Hamstrings

Seriously, the stairmaster has been great for preparing me for tough backpacking trips. Especially for those with lots of steep climbs.

Could you explain to me why the stairmaster is bad? Negative motor patterns? What do you mean by that? Last year I used the stairmaster faithfullly with my 20 lb pack--without holding on most of the time, and felt that it helped my core and leg strength and cardiovascular system without any injury. Did the Tour du Mont Blanc with no pain or fatigue.

It's not perfect nothing is only being out there is..but, before I bought a programable Treadmill of my own, in Winter I would go to the 24 hour gym and hike my favorite Sierra hike in my mind, sometimes I would bring my Photo album of the hikes I took and peruse them like a rabbit chasing a carrot...I would tread with my hiking boots on and my loaded pack on, using one of their treadmills. I asked the Manager 1st before I did it. And met a couple of girls who I went hiking with in the Spring as enjoyable bonus but I am not the marrying kind so those were short lived. Sadly their Marketing people made the membership to expensive to justify not buying my own, so I did and still hike my hike on my Treadmill at home. It really works out my quads and butt for those hill climbs. One tip, never use a treadmill fully flat always adjust it to about a 2 - 5% incline. I did notice a difference in just exercising when in the Spring I had fewer aches and pains and no muscle sprains and few twitches after reaching the top of the switchbacks..

RE: Stability ball leg curls

I do this exercise 3X/week but with 2 legs only. The risks far outweigh the benefits doing them 1-legged. Frankly, most people in the gym couldn't do them properly using one leg anyway. Plus, it can put a lot of unnecessary strain on the back of the knee and hips.

Hey Steve & Macky,
With 35+ years training athletes from recreational, professional and Olympic Level, I agree with Macky's comment. For you Steve, do not get on a stair climber. It develops negative motor patterns. They look pretty all in a row in the gym, however, nearly every piece of fancy equipment in gyms drastically affects movement effeciency by not following the natural strength curve and the natural anatomical structure of joint, bone and muscle alignment. There isn't any crossover to sports performance.

Hey Macky,
Descending hills isnt the issue with me. When ascending hills there's a certain level of incline that kicks in some muscle group that really increases the cardio demands for oxygen and blood flow. I'm guessing this is the front of the thigh. What's the best exercise to really push movement and build up my uphill endurance?
Stair climber or something similar?
Thanks

Since this has turned into a P90X infomercial, anyone here tried the INSANITY program? It looks pretty awesome, no equipment, no gyms needed.
www.getinsanity.com

before you look for new subscriber,
take care paid customer

I have been a physical therapist for 35 years and this is the first time I have ever heard that the hamstrings keep the knees "aligned" as you hike. Yes they are important for stability, but the quads working "eccentrically" are the workhorses in descending hills.

for all you p90X spammers, get the F off our website. This is not for people making a sales pitch but for comments on the posted article and that exercise routine described.

Wow, is this a p90x commercial or something?

P90X has really strengthened not only my legs but my entire core area. It really works.

great workout i did one set of 20 and im so sore its great!

For an excellent (and extremely tough) training workout try Insanity. It's made by the same people as p90x!

ok the p90x is amazing, difficult but will shape every muscle you own!! or didnt know u did! great for knees

You know...I've wondered about that P90X, and well...I think it's awesome if it's working for ya.

I agree with John about the P90X. I hiked all winter but also added the P90X. I feel great and strong this spring even with bad knees. Good enough that I am going to train for a sprint Tri in Sept!

I've also found that 2 months of P90X has drastically improved my backpacking stamina and overall performance.

To those of you who participating in the Hiking Merit Badge, this may be of interest.