Gettin fit

[squirrelduster]

I need to get in better shape for hunting this year.
Anybody try to P90X program?
Looks like it incorporates strength, flexibility and cardio. I'm 51 and in decent shape but need to step it up some.
Recommendations?

 

[jenbickel]

I havent personally used P90X but I know a lot of people that have and they say it is amazing. They say it does take a lot of discipline.. But I think that if you want to be successful in any type of workout and see results you have to be disciplined.

 

[Kevin Root]

My wife and I did the P90X program last year for almost 6 months and it was a good program for us. If you do what they say in the program and just do the best you can, the before and after pictures they show in the commercial are accurate in results. P90X was something we could do together as a couple and at home. The one part of the program we did not like as much was the Yoga part of the series but I'm sure it would have been good if we pushed ourselves and did that more.

Along with that on my own I carried a weighted pack at lunch on my break at lunch and walked for an hour. Like every workout it takes discipline and the more you put into it the better the results. I'd recommend P90X if you want to be able to do something at home. I have kids and helping them with homework, dinner and such, I wanted something I could do at home easy without having to go to a gym. With the new year starting again my wife and I will be on P90X again.

 

[elk*hunter]

Crossfit. No question about it. Probably a Crossfit gym close to your town. Anybody can do it, once you get the technique, form, and philosophy you can do it from home. Crossfit.com is a good place to start.

 

[mtmuley]

P90X is an awesome workout. i did it for 2 cycles (6 months) and lost about 30 lbs. i burned out after that though. i now go to the gym for more variety

 

[Kevin Root]

P90X is an awesome workout. i did it for 2 cycles (6 months) and lost about 30 lbs. i burned out after that though. i now go to the gym for more variety

I know what you mean mtmuley. Hearing the same jokes, etc.... after 6 months on the DVD gets a bit rough. My wife and I have not tried turning off the voice and running with only the cues/music yet but I think we are getting close to on this round in the new year . We might have to look into buying one of those in house gyms soon to break up the routine a bit after this cycle is done.

 

[THelms]

I have used the P90X program with pretty decent results. I am younger than you and do the Double workout. It is two workouts a day with the first being the regular routine in the morning and the sencond either Kenpo, plyo, or cardio in the afternoon/evening. For me this gets me in the shape I want to be in to stay in the mountains hunting out of my pack instead of in and out day trips. I don't get much time during the week in the fall to hunt, only weekends and so I usually hike in Friday night and stay until Sunday night. Therefore, I need to be in "sheep shape" and the P90X program along with some hiking/trail running or mountain walks get me and keep me in shape. I would encourage you to follow the diet guidelines as well, use the supplements. Though I don't use the P90X supplements your local GNC will be able to steer you in the right direction. They make a difference! It takes a lot of dedication and effort to pull off the program but the rewards are definitely worth it! Best of luck on the fall hunt!

 

[dcestnik]

Did crossfitfootball with paleo diet two years ago and went from 235 to 200 in about two months while putting ~25 on my bench and ~20 on my squat. About a month ago I've moved onto main site but still miss crossfit football. Before getting pregnant my wife followed crossfit football and ended up setting USAPL raw national records for squat, deadlift and total pounds even after dropping weight.

www.crossfit.com
www.crossfitfootball.com
www.health-bent.com
www.thefoodee.com

 

[Jon Boy]

Run. Lift. Shoot. Everyday of the week. I try and mimic anything ill experience in the back country.

 

[ontarget7]

Here is a little something different when working in your cardio and works very well. Do what ever routine you want to do when it comes to lifting weights. The difference is adding jump rope in between your sets. For example do a normal set and rest 1 minute. Then jump rope for 1 min at first but try to increase to 2 min when you feel you can. After that rest for 3 min and start the routine all over again until you have completed your total workout. It will kick your but at first.

 

[Drhorsepower]

http://solohunterstv.com/blog/general_comments/the-badassery-challenge/

This is what we are doing on top of our regular exercise routine.

 

[Ikeepitcold]

As Jon Boy This is what I do as well. I load my pack just like I would when I'm hunting, wear my hunting boots and hit the trails. I also like to get on the treadmill and stair stepper at home on the nights I can't get to the trail. This last year I started to ride my Mt bike on the trail and I'll tell you what, that is a workout! This year on my high country mule deer hunt I was in the best shape I've been in for years. I also have friends and family that does P90X and they have all said positive things about it. I prefer to work out by doing the same things I'm working out for, IE hunting.

 

[Jon Boy]

I copy alot of things cameron hanes does. Some ideas ive got from him are running with out socks on to toughen your feet up. Also running in the hottest part of the day with limited amount of water. Cant tell you how many times ive been on a stock during early archery and I drop my pack with all of my water thinking its gunna be a quick easy stalk, and 2.5 hours goes by with out any water waiting for the buck to stand up. This helps toughen your mind up.
Hill sprints with a loaded pack on are great. I try and load my pack much heavier than what im expecting to actually carry on my hunts. This makes it that much easier when its game time. These are a few of the things I try and do.
If I have some free time ill hit the gym or go grapple and spar at the local MMA gym

 

[Old Hunter]

I lifted weights in my early days, and managed a gym for a few years. Did some powerlifting, and my joints are paying for it now. I'm 69 now, and have changed my training to be specific for hunting. I live at 8000ft, and hunt at 11,500ft. So, the altitude doesn't bother me like it would someone living at lower altitudes.

I try and peak for my fall hunts. I hike/scout about 250 days a year. All altitudes from where I live to where I hunt. I start in the early spring with more level hikes, and progressively make them steeper and steeper. Around July I start to carry a pack and my gun. Peaking in August-Sept with the weight in the pack to equal carrying out the meat. I just do light exercises for the upper body to keep some muscle tone. Elk hunting is all about the legs and lungs. Doing a 400lb bench won't help you climb that mountain.

Of course diet is important. I keep my balanced and as natural as possible. I also don't carry all the body weight I did when I was young either. I'm 6'1" an d 175 lbs now. Quite a bit lighter than my powerlifting 265lb when I was young. Bodyweight is just more that I have to drag up the mountain.

 

[Bitterroot Bulls]

Lift, run, hike, bike, repeat.

 

[cali_hornhunter]

+1 for me just like bitteroot and dont forget shooting of the bow everyday at least i try to shoot everyday

 

[HuskyMusky]

Getting fit sux! haha.

I'm with ya on the needing to get fit.

Honestly I kinda had a revelation, I was hiking with a pack in years past etc..., after doing the same loop a few times, same hill, up down up down etc... I was bored, I could keep going, and needed to, but was so bored.

I've always enjoyed running, though haven't in years, my plan is to just get back into running. I'd lose weight, increase my endurance. Even if I never strap on a pack, I'd be stronger than before, I might throw on the pack occasionally and weigh it down and climb some hills etc... just to get accustomed to the weight of a pack, but my main plan is the running.

My suggestions is find something you enjoy, whether that's a basketball league at the local gym, or whatever, swimming, I find an activity is much easier and more fun, than forcing yourself to do some workout you don't enjoy.

p90x will certainly work if you do it, and stick with it, but if you end up dreading the workouts etc... and only doing 1 a week, that won't cut it!

btw let's say im 200lbs, and I lose 20lbs, and strap on that 20lb pack, im back to the same weight i was before, and now I'm stronger and have more endurance, that's a win-win IMO! That's essentially like walking around with no pack before but now I have more strength/endurance.

 

[indianw]

I started going to the gym and started running Jan. 31st 2011 dropped 50lbs ran 2 marathons in Dec. 2011 just over 700 miles ran started this year off with running Jan. 8th will cont. running may try running an ultra distance this year it helped a lot chasing Elk in the wilderness of Colorado got my first Bull in Oct.2011 DIY Back pack hunt

 

[8750]

I just picked up the p90x dvd's for christmas and tried a few of the workouts. I havent exercised since hunting and the p90x workouts are a little much now. Im doing some general conditioning for the next week or so before I go back to the p90x. I think it will be more fun after a few weeks warming up.