Are you ready to head out into the wilderness and experience unforgettable adventures on a packraft trail? Then it’s time to prepare your body and mind! Whether you’re a seasoned hiker or just starting out, good fitness will help you enjoy your adventure to the fullest. In this blog, we share 4 training tips to prepare for a packraft trail at Packraft Travel.
1. Walking: The foundation of your fitness
Packrafing is a combination of rafting and backpacking. That means you carry the raft in your backpack during your hikes. The overall distance and difficulty depends on the trail you choose, but hiking training is a tight plan either way!
- Build up slowly: start with short distances and build up gradually. Our trails in Luxembourg’s Müllerthal consist of 19 km of hiking and 10 km of rafting. So work slowly toward those 19 km of hiking.
- Alternate: Most packraft trails have quite a bit of elevation gain. Therefore, alternate your standard hiking workouts with workouts in hilly terrain. That way, your body (read: your leg muscles) is well prepared and you reduce the
- Train with pack: also practice with a backpack weighing a few pounds. After all, when you packraft, you carry your gear (raft, paddles, helmet, life jacket, food and drink) on your back all day.
2. Strength training: for extra power
During a packraft trail, you carry your packraft, paddle on the water and hike different terrains. Strength sports help you face these physical challenges with more strength and control.
- Focus on core and legs: exercises such as squats, lunges, planks and crunches train your core and leg muscles. And let’s face it, you need those muscle groups for stability, balance and strength while hiking and packrafting.
- Whole-body training: in addition to your core and leg exercises, don’t forget to train other muscle groups (at the same time). Exercises such as burpees, push-ups and pull-ups improve your overall strength and endurance.
3. Balance and coordination: for stability on water and land
To steer your packraft stably and efficiently – without going under – it is smart to work on your balance and coordination, for example by:
- Yoga and pilates: yoga and pilates train your core stability, flexibility and coordination. This helps you keep your balance on the water and while walking on uneven terrain.
- Balance board: working out on a balance board is a fun and effective way to improve your balance and coordination. Start with simple exercises and gradually build up the level of difficulty.
4. Mental preps: the right mindset
In addition to physical training, mental preparation is just as important. Packraft trails can be challenging, both physically and mentally. By preparing mentally, you will be better able to withstand setbacks and get more enjoyment out of your adventure.
- Visualize your success: take time to visualize your packraft trail. See yourself overcoming the challenges, enjoying the beautiful scenery and experiencing the satisfaction of the finish line.
- Set realistic goals: set achievable goals for yourself, both in terms of distance and pace. Choose a trail that suits you. This will help you stay motivated and avoid frustration.
- Develop a positive mindset: Believe in your own ability and focus on the positive aspects of the challenge. A positive mindset helps you persevere, even when the going gets tough for a while.
Training according to these tips will make covering our trails even more fun, but most importantly, listen to your body and don’t forget to enjoy the beautiful scenery, the unique experience and the satisfaction of reaching your goal.
