It's something a lot of people don't start thinking about until they're gasping for breath in the Peak District on their Training Expedition, or sitting quietly in the corner during the fitness talk on the Briefing Day! Getting fit for expedition shouldn't be seen as daunting or a chore; it's just part of the whole challenge and will mean you will have a more enjoyable time away. It will also ensure you're not be staring at your feet and missing the views when you're conquering that mountain or going through the jungle!
One of the best (and most relevant) ways to get fit is to go on walks and practice carrying your rucksack. You can start off doing short walks with a day pack, and as you improve start carrying your full pack and walking for a bit longer; you may feel a bit silly walking in the park like this but it will definitely help break in your boots and mean that you're not in for a shock in-country! Now that half term is coming up as well you could even head to the hills: the Peak District, Snowdonia, the Lakes, Dartmoor....wherever! Here's a few photos of some of the World Challenge staff attempting the 14 peaks in Wales as our training for the summer!
Other than walking it's also great to try swimming, running, school sports or even just helping around the house. Try and vary the exercise you do so that you get good all-round fitness. There's an excellent fitness plan on the World Challenge Member's Website that helps you record everything you do and if you follow it you'll definitely see yourself improve!
So although it may seem a bit nerdy heading out with a backpack or donning the sports leggings to go for a run...it's all for a good cause, and will certainly add to the overall achievement and satisfaction of completing your expedition.
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