Mount Kilimanjaro is a physically demanding climb, so you should train for it with a Kilimanjaro training program. In many ways, being in good shape is crucial. Strong, well-conditioned legs make walking uphill and downhill for long periods of time much simpler. The body can function more efficiently with less oxygen if you have good aerobic fitness. A fit physique is also better able to tolerate the strain of multiple days of hiking and camping. Finally, when exhaustion and concerns emerge, a good mental attitude can help you tremendously.
How difficult is it to climb Mount Kilimanjaro?
That’s a tough issue to answer because some people don’t exercise much and do well, while others follow a strict training regimen and succumb to the altitude in a matter of days. Marathon runners have told us that climbing Kilimanjaro is the most difficult thing they’ve ever done. The best advice we can give is to train properly, as described below, and get into the best hiking shape possible. The mountain is a huge unknown, and you won’t know how you’ll respond until you’re on top of it. Respondents gave their ascent an average difficulty rating of 7 on a scale of 1 (easy) to 10 (difficult) in a survey we conducted.
Hiking is the best form of exercise for preparing for Mount Kilimanjaro.
Other operators’ websites provide training regimens that include tight, lengthy cross-training programs that include hiking, running, biking, swimming, weight training, and other activities. This should not alarm you. Those programs are overbearing and pointless. The best and perhaps only activity you need to do to adequately prepare for climbing Kilimanjaro is to hike – period. After all, that’s exactly what you’ll be doing on the ridge. To imitate climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, you should try to hike as much as possible on hills or mountains.
Day walks are excellent training. If you don’t have access to trails, stair training is the next best thing. A stair master machine can also be used to train extremely effectively. Walk as much as you can as a last resort, with longer walks on weekends.
At least two months before your travel, you should begin training for climbing Kilimanjaro.
If you’ve never hiked before, begin with shorter time intervals, a slower pace, and no weight (in your day pack), gradually increasing all of the above as your fitness improves. Keep in mind that on Mount Kilimanjaro, you’ll be walking slowly for lengthy periods of time and carrying no more than 20 pounds in your day pack.
As a result, it is preferable to increase the time interval/distance while maintaining a reasonable speed in your training than to decrease the time interval/distance while increasing the pace. At the very least, train three times a week for one hour each time. You’re probably ready for the real thing if you can do day treks for four to six hours with moderate elevation changes (1,000 ft/305 m) while carrying a 20 lb pack, or if you can climb stairs or use a StairMaster for 1-2 hours at 30 steps per minute while carrying a 20 lb pack.
Two to four weeks before to your departure, undertake your longest/hardest exercises.
You should taper off your training for the last two weeks and rest in the last days so that your body has time to heal before your real climb. You can enhance your training with exercises like jogging or cycling to increase your aerobic capacity in addition to walking/hiking.
It is critical that you use the boots you intend to climb with during your Kilimanjaro training so that they are properly broken in (to prevent blisters). You should also wear the day pack you intend to carry so that your shoulders, back, and hips become accustomed to the points of contact and weight (to minimize chafing and soreness).
Finally, getting in shape entails more than simply physical activity. Use the climb to motivate you to change if you live an unhealthy lifestyle. Increase your intake of fruits and vegetables. Reduce your intake of red meat. Don’t consume alcohol or smoke. Get an average of eight hours of sleep each night. Don’t be concerned. Be content.
