Training for the Camino: Home exercises to prepare your Journey

Are you thinking of starting your physical preparation to do the Camino de Santiago?

For many first-time pilgrims, and even for some veterans, this time of year is the ideal time to begin their physical preparation for the Way of Saint James, as the days begin to be longer and sunnier and they find themselves with plenty of free time to do so.

In the 14 years that we have been organizing this experience for pilgrims from all over the world, we have always recommended that you prepare yourself mentally and physically beforehand to guarantee that you will be able to endure the kilometers that you will travel each day.

However, each person is different, each Camino is different and each will require a different preparation.

Many questions arise in this sense, and the answer to all of them could not be other than the so stereotyped one of the Galician community: it depends!

With this post we want to make some general recommendations to start at least 2 or 3 months before your trip.

What considerations should you have in your preparation?

• The first thing is the mental training, is to understand that you are facing a tradition that comes from centuries ago and that involves much physical effort to perform the task completely.
• To make your mind see what is coming, to have that beautiful connection between mind and soul so that the experience is special, not just a journey to walk.
• It is a mental transformation, and it can be the beginning of a special stage, it all depends on you knowing how to balance all the training.
• While you are training, your body undergoes many changes and you must get used to them, but you must also watch out that nothing happens in a negative way. It is advisable to go to the doctor for a check-p before starting the Camino, so that you can inform yourself if there is a problem.
• If there is something great about exercising at home to prepare for the Camino de Santiago it is that you can calmly plan the times you are going to exercise to prepare for the journey and document them in a diary.
• Find a calendar, mark dates and add each exercise you do to your diary.
• Sports specialists and doctors recommend that you start by exercising little by little, especially if you lead a more sedentary life. Then, you will increase the intensity over the weeks, without exceeding the capabilities of your body.
• Start with 45 minutes of walking per day and you will notice how the body increases its resistance to exercise on its own.
• If this training is about anything, it is about disciplining your body and mind, so it is not only about improving your condition but giving your body what it needs.
• Try to hydrate as best you can before and during the tour, eat very healthy, you will see the big difference in a few days.

Ready for your Journey!!