If you plan to hike this summer and want to avoid knee pain, a walking coach recommends following this four-week treadmill walking plan
If you’ve ever experienced pain in your knee when walking up or downhill, you’re not alone. In fact, there’s even a name for it: hiker’s knee. “Hiker’s knee is a term commonly used for knee pain caused by repetitive stress during steep descents, excessive hiking, or weak supporting muscles,” explains Ludgina Dieujuste, who’s a walking coach at WalkFit. It’s a specific type of pain, different to the discomfort associated with something like runner’s knee. “The pain is often localised at the front of the knee or around the kneecap and can cause aching, swelling, or a grinding sensation,” Diejuste explains. Article continues below You may like Although hiking is a great way to improve your fitness and build lower-body strength, it can put pressure on the joints, which is why it might lead to this type of knee pain. “Fortunately, hiker’s knee can often be avoided by strengthening the glutes, quads and hips, while also progressively preparing your body for steeper hills,” Diejuste says. She explains that the best way to strengthen these muscles while …
