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I am pretty out of shape but want to start hiking and was wondering what would be a good approach for getting in to hiking shape. Just something as simple as going out and hiking and increasing the distance/pace as I am able?


That will work. Walking gets you in shape for walking. BUT,.... It takes a long time for that to work. If you want to speed it up you need to work out a little harder. You can walk for an hour or do something else that raises your heart rate up to a specific target and keep it there for about 20 minutes. Just work untill you are breathing hard but can still talk, maybe between puffs Maybe if you are really out of shape simply waling fast up hill will get you to that level. But being at that level for 20 minutes will do as much as walking easy for an hour.

I have bad knees so for me running is out. For me a bicycle or swimming is best. I can walk all day, no problem, running is different.