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Home > Get involved > Fundraising and events > Overseas/UK challenges > Treks >An overseas trek is completely different to everyday walking and you should start to train several months before the event – even if you have a good level of fitness. The more you train now, the more you'll get out of your trek and enjoy it!
When you register for a trek, your tour operator will send you a training plan to help you prepare for your challenge ahead and you could also ask at your local gym if there are any fitness classes on offer that could help in strengthening leg muscles etc.
Be safe and sensible
If you want to lose weight as well as get fit for your trek, it's best to consult your doctor or local health clinic to ensure you're doing it the most sensible and appropriate way. They might be able to also suggest which foods will help give you more sustainable energy when training and during the trek itself.
Remember when you're out and about training for your challenge, to always let someone know where you're going and roughly what time you'll be back, especially in the darker winter months. Take a torch with you and stick to well-lit streets and pathways and if possible, see if you can join a walking group or club in your local area.
You've got a friend:
Try and vary the route you take if you walk to work or at the weekends to help keep your training interesting, or why not rope a friend or family member in with you and they can improve their fitness, while keeping you company too! How about offering to take the neighbour's dog for a walk during the week or suggest a walk in the countryside to your friends at the weekend - there are lots of routes available all over the UK (see the bottom of the page for usefull websites with lots of routes and walking information).
Get into gear:
The right equipment and walking gear are essential and will make all the difference to your trek. Remember how much you're going to be on your feet during your challenge and treat them as well as you can with the right boots and socks. Make sure you break in your boots really well before you go on your trek - you definitely don't want blisters half way up a mountain!
Trekking poles are also really useful as they provide stability on tricky terrain and can also help take some pressure off your back and other joints when climbing up or down hills.
You don't have to spend a fortune on your kit; local markets, charity shops and online sites such as Ebay can have the right gear at a fraction of the cost. If you're going on the trek with a friend, see if you can share any toiletries, it'll give you more space in your bag too!
Useful walking websites:
www.walkingpages.co.uk
www.walkingbritain.co.uk
www.go4awalk.com
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