Guide for pilgrims
Fitness

Now I can't believe I'm about to say this, but you don't have to be outrageosly fit to do the Camino.

People of varying fitness levels can attempt the Camino. You can start the Camino at various points along the way, so you can have a crack at a distance which you think you can manage.

Furthermore, because of the spacing of the refugios, you can walk a short distance or far, depending on how energetic you feel.

You'll find that your fitness will build up. However, if you spend the Camino snacking on those delicious Spanish pastries and chocolate and pan de chocolate and pan de leche and ice cream then you'll get fit, but you might not necessarily lose any weight.

Having said all that, your first day on the Camino should not be your first day ever of serious walking. In the months and weeks before you leave, get some walking practice in, preferably wearing the boots you'll be wearing on the Camino and carrying your pack. Otherwise it could be a nasty shock.

My point is that you should not only test all your gear before you go, you should also test your body. Whilst I might have been the butt of everyone's jokes on the Camino because of my non-existent Spanish and my lack of guidebooks, I wasn't too shabby a walker and I had tested All My Gear before I left.