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The Training For Trekking Podcast

Rowan Smith: Hiking and Trekking Coach

The Training For Trekking Podcast is created to help hikers, trekkers and mountaineers prepare for their bucket list adventures. Rowan shares with you the simple training strategies to get you fit, strong and resilient to tackle anything the trail will throw at you. He also dives deep into subjects such as how to prevent altitude sickness, nutrition while hiking, injury prevention and much, much more. So you can have the very best chance of a safe, enjoyable and successful adventure!

  • 20 episodes
  • Updated Today

Episodes20

  • Today · 35 min

    TFT362: Training To Hike The Tour du Mont Blanc: Interview With Jill & Dan

    In this episode, I interview Summit Strength clients Jill and Dan, who have recently come off a successful adventure of the Tour du Mont Blanc. Inside, they share some insights about their training and preparation for this iconic trail, as well as some very interesting insights about the trip itself. A great listen for anyone who has the Tour du Mont Blanc on their bucket list, or who is interested in high altitude hiking. = Want to get fit, strong and resilient for your hiking adventures? Check out the Online Summit Program: https://www.summitstrength.com.au/online.html

  • July 29 · 15 min

    TFT361: Made Up Problems For Hikers

    In this episode, I explore a trend in the world of hiking, where coaches are advocating for more and more complicated methods of training - even though the basics and fundamentals of training would probably work just as well. Something any hiker in training needs to look out for! == Want to get fit, strong and resilient for your hiking adventures? Check out the Online Summit Program: https://www.summitstrength.com.au/online.html

  • July 27 · 33 min

    TFT360: Training To Hike The Via Francigena : Interview With Chris

    ​In this episode, I interview Summit Strength client Chris about her recent adventure tackling her last section of the Via Francigena pilgrimage walk. Inside she shares some insights about her preparation, training and her experience on this amazing trail. == Want to get fit, strong and resilient for your hiking adventures? Check out the Online Summit Program: https://www.summitstrength.com.au/online.html

  • July 15 · 26 min

    TFT359: 10 Days on Kilimanjaro's Northern Circuit: A Couple's Training Story

    In this episode, I interview Summit Strength graduates Karen and Charles, who have just come back from 10 days and a successful summit of Kilimanjaro's northern circuit. Inside, they talk about their training, preparation and experience on this amazing mountain. == Want to get fit, strong and resilient for your hiking adventures? Check out the Online Summit Program: https://www.summitstrength.com.au/online.html

  • July 8 · 27 min

    TFT358: 62, Two Knee Replacements, and Not One Anti-Inflammatory at Ningaloo

    In this episode I interview Summit Strength client Jenny, and inside she shares her experience training for a 12 day hiking, snorkelling and kayaking adventure at Ningaloo Reef. == Want to get fit, strong and resilient for your hiking adventures? Check out the Online Summit Program: https://www.summitstrength.com.au/online.html

  • July 1 · 35 min

    TFT357: Training To Thru-Hike 1000km On The Bibbulmun Track

    In this episode I chat with Mark, a Summit Strength graduate from Melbourne, about his training and experience thru-hiking the Bibbulmun Track - a 1,000 kilometre walk through Western Australia. Inside we chat about the strength and conditioning he used from this long distance hike, managing a calf strain early in training, the mental grind of weeks on trail, and practical advice for anyone planning a thru-hike. == Want to get fit, strong and resilient for your hiking adventures? Check out the Online Summit Program: https://www.summitstrength.com.au/online.html

  • June 26 · 16 min

    TFT456: How to Know If You'll Be Ready for Your Hiking Adventure

    In this episode, we cover a simple set of questions you can ask yourself if you are eyeing off a big hiking adventure and are wondering, "Am I actually on track to be ready?" == Want to get fit, strong and resilient for your hiking adventures? Check out the Online Summit Program: https://www.summitstrength.com.au/online.html

  • June 4 · 7 min

    TFT455: The Most Important High Altitude Strategy

    In this episode, I explore the single most important factor that will determine your chance of success and comfort when hiking at high altitude. == Want to get fit, strong and resilient for your hiking adventures? Check out the Online Summit Program: https://www.summitstrength.com.au/online.html

  • May 27 · 10 min

    TFT454: Please Carry Enough Water When Hiking

    In this episode, I explore why I think it is a silly idea to try to minimise or 'toe the line' with the amount of water you carry on the trail. == Want to get fit, strong and resilient for your hiking adventures? Check out the Online Summit Program: https://www.summitstrength.com.au/online.html

  • May 20 · 12 min

    TFT453: Hiker's Knee Fixed In A Week?

    In this episode, I explore the odd phenomenon that sometimes occurs: a hiker starts a training program and sees 'dramatic' changes in pain within the week. == Want to get fit, strong and resilient for your hiking adventures? Check out the Online Summit Program: https://www.summitstrength.com.au/online.html

  • May 14 · 19 min

    TFT452: Why I Love Step Downs For Hikers

    I personally believe that step downs are one of the best strength exercises for hikers. And I use them, in one shape or form, for almost all my clients. And in today's episode, I explore a few deeper reasons why I am such a fan (beyond them just being 'useful' or 'specific' for hikers). If you are not familiar with a step down, or are interested in exploring some different progressions of this movement pattern, check out this article: https://www.summitstrength.com.au/blog/the-best-exercises-for-trekkers-the-step-down == Want to get fit, strong and resilient for your hiking adventures? Check out the Online Summit Program: https://www.summitstrength.com.au/online.html

  • May 13 · 11 min

    TFT451: "I am always tired after my training hikes"

    In this episode, we explore a simple checklist you can use if you always seem to be getting tired (and struggling to recover) after your training hikes. == Mentioned in the episode: https://www.summitstrength.com.au/blog/how-to-plan-your-training-hikes == Want to get fit, strong and resilient for your hiking adventures? Check out the Online Summit Program: https://www.summitstrength.com.au/online.html

  • May 6 · 10 min

    TFT450: Should A Hiker Put On Extra Fat Before A High Altitude Hike?

    In this episode, I explore the idea that a hiker should concentrate on increasing their body fat in the lead-up to a big high-altitude adventure. == Want to get fit, strong and resilient for your hiking adventures? Check out the Online Summit Program: https://www.summitstrength.com.au/online.html

  • April 29 · 15 min

    TFT449: 'This' Before 'That'

    ​In this episode, we explore a trend that seems to be coming back into fashion in the fitness industry (and a trap that you don't want to fall into!). == Want to get fit, strong and resilient for your hiking adventures? Check out the Online Summit Program: https://www.summitstrength.com.au/online.html

  • April 22 · 24 min

    TFT448: Wim Hof Breathing For High Altitude Hikers And Mountaineers

    Inside, we explore Wim Hof breathing and how it relates to high altitude hiking and mountaineering. And we discuss if it is an effective method to use in your training or while on the mountain. == Want to get fit, strong and resilient for your hiking adventures? Check out the Online Summit Program: https://www.summitstrength.com.au/online.html

  • April 15 · 10 min

    TFT447:Are Hills Or Stairs Better For Hikers In Training?

    ​In this episode, we explore a few considerations if you are trying to decide whether to do hill or stair training in your workout program. == Want to get fit, strong and resilient for your hiking adventures? Check out the Online Summit Program: https://www.summitstrength.com.au/online.html

  • April 8 · 8 min

    TFT446: Can Strength Training Make You Worse At Hiking?

    In this episode, we explore the idea that 'incorrect' or 'inefficient' strength training can have a detrimental impact on your hiking. == Want to get fit, strong and resilient for your hiking adventures? Check out the Online Summit Program: https://www.summitstrength.com.au/online.html

  • April 1 · 19 min

    TFT445: Rucking For Hikers: Myths vs Facts

    In this episode, we explore the idea of rucking for hikers (e.g loaded-pack walking). And we give a bit of a nuanced take on this subject (to try and balance out a lot of the exaggeration that is seen online with this subject). Inside, we answer the questions: Is rucking an effective way to build muscle strength? Is rucking useful for improving or maintaining bone density? Can rucking help with weight loss? Is rucking beneficial for the immune system? Can rucking help with longevity? == Want to get fit, strong and resilient for your hiking adventures? Check out the Online Summit Program: https://www.summitstrength.com.au/online.html

  • March 25 · 5 min

    TFT444: Why Not Do Both?

    ​In this episode, I bring some common sense to one of the more silly debates in the world of training for hiking. == Want to get fit, strong and resilient for your hiking adventures? Check out the Online Summit Program: https://www.summitstrength.com.au/online.html

  • March 18 · 34 min

    TFT443: Carbon Dioxide For Hikers And Mountaineers

    In this episode, we explore the idea of carbon dioxide tolerance training for hikers and mountaineers. You will learn: What carbon dioxide tolerance training is (and the theories on why it can be beneficial for exercise performance) The potential benefits of carbon dioxide tolerance training for hikers and mountaineers Can carbon dioxide tolerance training help with high-altitude acclimatisation, reduce the risk of altitude sickness or improve high altitude exercise performance? How to test and track carbon dioxide tolerance A few training approaches that can help improve carbon dioxide tolerance (and my opinion on their application for hikers and mountaineers) == Mentioned in the episode: https://www.summitstrength.com.au/blog/breath-hold-training-for-high-altitude-mountaineers-and-hikers == Want to get fit, strong and resilient for your hiking adventures? Check out the Online Summit Program: https://www.summitstrength.com.au/online.html