Fitness and Preparations

[*******]

Let's get this backcountry forum started for winter.

What are people doing to get in shape and get prepared for next season?

How many days in the gym, nights shooting bow, new places to find maps, new gear hanging in the basement, and so on?

I'm getting out snowshoeing a few days a week, the gym a couple times, and shooting my bow all I can. As soon as the 9 feet of snow melts I'm getting out and hitting the mountains to scout for the fall.

What is everyone else up to? Anyone find a new amazing work out, or exercise that melts the holiday pounds?

 

[HuntinMontucky]

Pushups and Situps spread throughout the day, Jogging every morning before work, shooting 3 - 5 nights a week in my garage. We went out shed hunting this weekend, ended up using it as an excuse to jog in the snow with pack and heavy boots on, what a workout! I just bought some new maps over the weekend as well. I hate this time of year, I spend way to much time inside on the weekends, soon it should be warm, spring bear starts April 15th so Im going to head out to our favorite hole and chase bears with my stick and string! Who knows, maybe I'll get lucky and they'll start a spring Wolf season to huh? A guy can dream right?

 

[MarkTheFark]

Jogging 3-4 times a week. Shooting 5 times a week. No strength training yet. I am looking for a tractor tire to use from some home based workouts; for flips and sledge throws.

 

[knockmdead]

I am open for Ideas. I am going to draw my Elk Tag in utah this year and need to be in Prime shape. I am going to start training now and want to get imput on what excersises I should do to get in the top shape. What have you guys done. I know that I am going to run alot to build up my stamina but what else should I do. I have been thinking of doing short half mile runs with my pack on carring some weight and then stoping for a sec and shooting 4 arrows and then running another half mile. You know quick runs to get ahead of the elk and then shoot while winded. What else can I do to get ready.

Jeff

 

[*******]

What I would recommend, this is what I do for my Goat and Sheep hunts, is to gradually increase the weight in your backpack as you hike around. I start with 30lbs in February, and build to 65lbs by the end of July. Go and hike, as fast as you can, 4 or 5 miles four times a week. This helps not only build stamina in your legs and cardio, but it helps train your back and core to deal with weight all the time.

In the gym my buddy turned me on to an exercise he called "man-makers". Grab two barbells, half the weight you do bicep curls with and hold one in each hand. Then, as fast as you can, you do one military press over your head then drop and do a push-up with the barbells in your hands. When you get to the top of your push-up do a side row with one arm, do another push-up, row with the other arm, another push up, then jump back up.
Do that 5 times then drop to the mat and hold the Plank position for 30sec. Do that for a couple weeks then change to five reps of everything you do. 5 press, 5 push-ups, 5 rows, 5 push-ups, 5 rows other side, 5-push-ups. Kills me every time.

 

[knockmdead]

Nice workout. Thanks for the Idea. I will give it a shot.

Jeff

 

[elkmtngear]

I run 2.5 miles per day Mon-Thursday, along with pushups and ab crunches. Friday I am usually hiking or hunting something, Saturday and Sunday I run 3.5 miles each day. I shoot about a dozen arrows per evening at my 3Ds starting in late winter/ early spring. I can usually hold my own with the "elk aerobics" in the high country, until I get that 80 pounds of meat on my back, that's when each step starts to become a cognitive process!

Best of Luck,
Jeff

 

[snortwheeze]

In the gym three days a week with free weights, and running/biking three days a week. Throw in some hills and gassers to increase power, and hopefully it all adds up to a backcountry bull on the ground in the fall!! Im also hoping to run my first marathon this summer too!

 

[DryFlyGuy]

Man, reading these responses make me feel like a slouch. I play racquetball 3x a week, swim 2x a week and monitor my weight and dietary intake daily.

I hike all over during the summer with waders and a fly rod, but I don't really consider that training (just fun).

 

[*******]

Sounds like people are really getting their bodies in shape for the fall already. That is great to hear!

Anyone have a training partner? Someone to keep you challenged all year long?

 

[*******]

I see they have started a training contest on the "back at the tailgate" section of this forum. Training for backcountry "expedition hunts" is a lot different than most peoples training. The people who work at the gym I go to think I am nuts. Doing things no one else does for reasons they don't understand. Apparently walking on a stair master with a 50lb backpack is not normal.

Anyone else got a secret workout plan to make them hunting monsters?

 

[arrowslinger21]

Heres the strength training program that I am currently doing. Its a great program and the results have been incredible so far. No plateaus yet. Also I run and do core workouts on Tues, Thurs, and Saturday. As far as running goes I try to get about 5 miles in per day.
http://kevinunderwoodbowhunting.blogspot.com/2011/02/off-season-training-update.html

 

[RUTTIN]

I started doing crossfit sessions every 5x a week, they are kicking my but, I know if I can stick with it I will be shape by the time hunting season gets here, you can find some of the workouts on traintohunt.com

 

[HuntinMontucky]

Im lucky enough to not only work with my hunting partner but live 3 blocks form him, we definately keep each other motivated, sometimes its a little much but it will pay off in the end!

 

[*******]

arrowslinger, that looks like a pretty solid work out routine. I might borrow some of that. For myself, I work on cardio an legs a lot. I haven't really done a bicep curl or chest press in a while. Though it might look nice, I have yet to find a hunting situation where big biceps and a superhero like chest have done any good. I leg press twice my body weight and climb a stairmaster for hours. For me, it starts and ends in my legs.

 

[indianw]

started running the first of February lots of pushups. after I got back from my DIY backpack hunt with my son I set around until the first of Feb. and said I better start now after reading Cameron's Back country bowhunter
Every day they are getting stronger

 

[jughead]

For those of you with access to a gym, and maybe the coin to seek out a personal trainer, I suggest you look for those trainers who are certifed by either NSCA or ACSM. I worked as a strength and conditioning coach at the division I level and the professional level for quite some time...guys/girls who are certified by either of those two organizations are at the top of their game. Tell them what you want and they can make a good, efficient workout schedule for you. If you can't find one, or don't want to pay the money, Crossfit or P90X are pretty good stuff.

 

[hoytnut]

Typically run 15-20 per week (weather permitting). Will ramp this up to 30-40 per week with better weather. On non-running days I try to bike and strength train. I also try to run several races in the spring and summer - 5ks, 10ks, and halfs - seems to keep me motivated to train. As mentioned above, hiking hills with a gradually increasing pack load is a great workout!

 

[T43]

I will continue with the hour a day on the treadmill and 10-20 minutes circuit training 5 to 6 days a week until I can get out in the hills (the new snow isn't helping). Once spring has sprung I will start hiking with a wiggly 35 lb 3 year old in my pack.

 

[mcseal2]

I find myself getting burned out quickly on treadmills or other indoor activities. My favorite workout is to load up my Eberlestock J34 with 40-50lbs depending on which rifle I have in it that day and head out into the pastures. Right now I'm going 3-5 times per week. The routes I laid out on Google earth are all 3-4 miles by their measurement, and alot more by the actual steps up and down, back and forth I take. I planned my route around the steepest rockiest hills around so my ankles get strengthened up carrying weight on uneven ground. I have weak ankles and have to prepare them for rough country. I have a spot on my route where I top the steepest hill and can shoot rocks back on the previous hill, so I take one shot each trip and really concentrate on making it count. I am pretty winded when I take it also, much like when hunting. My biggest issue is that I live at 1200ft elevation and the hills gain 200-400ft from the bottoms, so it is still much easier than the mountains.