So what do you do to get in shape for elk season? It it just around the corner.
Lot's of leg and cardio. It's flat land city where I live. I'll probably hit the bleachers hard this summer.
I wish I lived in NE Iowa, I'd get all my excersize learning those bluffs.
I try and stay in shape all year long now...not as hard to stay in shape as get in shape.....run 2 to 3 miles four days a week and lift weights the other days....also come spring I will start to put on a backback and walk ALOT in the woods.....15 months ago I weighed over 310 pounds and could not walk one mile without diffaculty....now I am in the best shape of my life and hope to stay this way for years to come.....my motivation was a doctor that told me I would not live another five years if I did not change.....at 50 years old that was a BIG wake up call.....it is not easy, but it is worth it....
I start out by doing a ton of cardio and weights in January and February...2 weight sessions per week. Not heavy but alot of reps to strengthen the core: back, abs, big muscles of the legs. Cardio consists of just walking for 30-45 minutes 3 days a week building up to 45 hard walking minutes. Then when you have started with that, start adding weight to your pack gradually for your 45 minutes. I don't ever go over what my day pack will be, say 30 lbs. That is what I have on board (including bivy sack/bag/a days worth of food/water purifier in case I need to sleep where they are) with me most of the time up there. Only when I know I am doing a deep pack/walk in job do I feel the need to go over that.
I started doing Sprint Triathlons 3 years ago with my goal of doing something different for elk/mule deer hunts. They are a ton of fun to train for and the distances are not extreme. In a typical race you swim 500yards, bike 20 miles, and run 3 miles. I have found training and doing 3 or 4 of those over the summer have me in top shape for the tough climbs. However, nothing prepares you for the altitude. Aclimate at least 24 hours before attempting to hunt IMO. Can't wait for Sept!
I stay in shape year around doing p90x, cycling, running and swiming. In the winter months I'll do a indoor triathathon. I backpack a few long weekends in the summer months testing out my equipment.
Two years ago I was 60lbs over weight, took eight month to work it off. The best gift I ever gave myself.
Keep up the weight fight tradgang!!! :clapper:
Make sure you're training smart also. There's great advice here about varying your workouts-- running, hard walking, stairs, swimming, bike, weights, plyometrics... If you stick to only a couple routines, you'll over-fatigue and "wear down" certain joints and muscles/tendons. Then, when you're on the mountain for days, these areas will become "hot spots" that can require meds and slow you down.
Good luck fellas! :thumbsup:
If New Jersey had Elk I would be in great shape till then I guess I'll get fat.
As the days get longer and nicer, I put a 25lb pack on and go for 4 miles every other day or at least 3 days a week.
If the weather is crappy, I pop in am excercise video that has circuits usually that contain 3 minutes of strength, 2 mins. cardio, and 1 minute abs. I work different muscles, various cardio, and different abs excercises with each ciruit.
I do a half hour work out in the living room and it really helps when I can't do the road work out side.
I try and stay fit all year now. With Spring Bear season starting in April, Utah mule deer the first week of August, I should be in good shape come Sept. 1.
Paul
Ok here is my dilemma. I am 5'11 300 pounds. I am going to the gym 3 days a week. I am wanting to tone up, not bulk up. My ego gets in the way when I get there. I need a program for toning up, not bulking up. Anyone want to help me. I am planning a backpack trip for elk next year. I live in the west so I will hunt them this year just not a pack in hunt. Any and all comments and info appreciated.
Greg
More cardio, less weights Greg. If you do the weights, then more reps with lighter weight. Take a bench press for example. Say your doing 200 lbs. And your doing 3 sets of 8 or 10 reps. Knock it down to 150 or 160 and do 3 sets or maybe 4 sets of 12-15 reps. My opinion. It's worked for me.
lots and lots of brisk walking greg,as much as you can stand.try two miles a day for a week then bump up to three.pretty soon you'll start feeling much better and want to walk even more.i just bumped my tredmill regime to four miles at three and a half to four miles per hour every day.it works.
QuoteOriginally posted by Greg Gilliland:
Ok here is my dilemma. I am 5'11 300 pounds. I am going to the gym 3 days a week. I am wanting to tone up, not bulk up. My ego gets in the way when I get there. I need a program for toning up, not bulking up. Anyone want to help me. I am planning a backpack trip for elk next year. I live in the west so I will hunt them this year just not a pack in hunt. Any and all comments and info appreciated.
Greg
PM sent.
TTT
Running full and half marathons, weights, and rugby for me. I also bike, hike and do a martial art when time allows. No specific program for me, just trying to stay active.
When you get to be older, it is imperative that you stay ahead of the curve and keep in decent shape year round. I hike or bike or both almost every day, and do chinups and pushups to keep the upper body fit, and I do things like parking at the far end of the parking lot and take the stairs two at a time. If you get out of shape as you age, it is harder to get back in than when you were in your twenties or thirties. For elk, the more hills you can add into your fitness equation, the better. As the Nike slogan says, "Just do it!".
I train with P90x. Its kind of annoying at times, but has a lot of low impact exercises for those of us with bad knees. Its definitely cheaper than a gym membership.
Also nothing beats loading up your pack and bow, just like you would for hunting, find the biggest hill/mountain around and go stump shooting.
What ever you decide to do, walking, running, biking, weights, etc. stick with it. I thought I was in good shape, hiking 6 - 10 miles a day while hunting elk. Then I got a big bull on the ground and found out the truth. I was close to tears and that was just the first load with 3 miles to go. Strong legs and core will go a long way in elk country. Good luck.
I did the 5 mile a day mountain bike thing for two months prior. Simply because I hate running. We were there for 12 days last year and I did just fine. Important thing for us flatlanders I think is to not go hitting the slopes the first day. Give yourself a day at camp to acclimate. Also don't wear cotton socks. Go get a few good pairs of wool socks.
I have come to the conclusion that when hunting elk at high altitude you are not going to be in a big hurry as the breathing is difficult for us who live at sea level. No matter how good of shape I am in it is still going to be tuff to breath! I am a very healthy 50 year old who usually start my heavy cardio workouts in June. I do alot of stadium stairs with a pack-on and try and maintain a constant elevated heart rate for an hour in the heat. I also spend alot of time on my road bike and average around 70 - 100 miles a week also. Throw in some weights for upper body strenght and I am ready to go!! One big thing I have learned, elk live in difficult places to access!! When you hear that bull buggle way up some nasty draw, get ready to work! It may take you over an hour or more to get to him if you are lucky! This is not for the faint hearted but it is my #1 animal to hunt and I live in Georgia!! :)
So no working out this week from the looks of it. I have a severe cold, irritated throat, double ear infection (won the prize for the worst he has seen so far this year) not a prize I wanted mind you. I been running a temp from 100-102 something. 100's on tylenol. Sorry for my rant going to go get warm.
Greg
I hunted Elk last season in CO and camped at 10 000 ft and hunted upto 12 000ft. I'd say I was fit enough but still felt the pinch hitting some of those mountains, but that is only natural I guess.
I like to work out almost everyday. Be it in the gym, walking the dogs or doing CV workouts (maily running and on the rowing machine).
I do a lot of pull ups (both over grasp and under grasp).. push ups, and ab/core workouts, along with weights.
I rest when I feel I need it, thats called 'listening to your body' and helps me a lot. We gain when we are resting and recovering, not when training. I see too many people starting out way to hard and getting burnt out. Do it in months, not week build ups.
I know I'd rather pay my gym membership then have cable TV !
ak.
I do a lot of glassing so the I like to train by sitting at my desk job a staring out the window for long periods of time pretending to be watching a nice hred bull moving towards his morning bed.
All joking aside I get out and hike as much as I can.I try to find some places close by that are simalar to areas I will be going or harder. I start to get more into getting in shape with summer and scouting.
Finally feeling alive again. I thought for sure the first of the week I was going to die from the flu/cold I had. Today is the first day I am feeling alive. I might even try and get to the gym tomorrow. If not for sure on Monday.
Greg
Glad your feeling better Greg! :help:
I just picked up a really good treadmill and some more free weights and it sure is nice to run inside at home with all the snow and really cold temps we have been getting. Looking forward to getting on the mountain bike for a change up when the weather clears.
Now, If I can just get the wife off the treadmill so I can use it :wavey:
Tracy
When I was "training" for a moose hunt, I brought my frame pack to work full of 90lbs worth of sand and wore it as much as possible around the office! Though the boss got jealous that I was going on this particular hunt and got mad at me. But o well the hunt was worth a few months of uncomfortable conversations with him!
As for the training, it went well by the end of the six months or so I wore the pack I was in good enough shape to pack out a caribou 37miles in total walking distance.
ttt
I've never elk hunted, so take this for what it's worth. I am, however, a competitive strongman. During a contest our lungs and legs are tested for long periods of time.
One of the best tools I've ever found for getting my lungs and legs in shape is called the Prowler. It's a sled that's designed to be weighted and can be pushed, pulled, or dragged. They're pricey (about $350), but if you know anybody that welds they can be made for much less (that's the route I went).
They've even used them on The Biggest Loser the past couple of seasons.
I've got a link to the site that carries them if anybody is interested, but needless to say it's not an archery site so I wasn't sure if it was cool to put it here.
Think about the angle you knee bends when walking up a hill (Mt.). The only exercise that comes close to that same angle is biking. The problem with biking is that most of the time your only pushing 5, 10, 25, 45 lbs. When your walking up the mt your pushing half your body weight.
Try a bleacher workout, but not the woosie way Gerry Rice did in that commercial. Workout one leg at a time. Run up the bleachers with your right leg stepping on all the seats and your left leg stepping on all the floors. Next lap work the left leg on the seats.
I do this at a small high school field with 28 seats. When I do this workout on a 70 degree day I'm wet after 6 laps - 3 left, 3 right.
Have had guides say to me, "your in good shape for a flatlander." More than once and I usually had 10 or 15 years on 'em. This will work, but I think it's too hard for most to do.
Bowmania
Weights and cardio in the gym four days a week , hiking with a 35# pack 8-12 miles three days a week. Elevation at home is only slightly above 1000 ft so it is still tough.
Go out in the back yard and build a camp fire, get a 12 pack of beer and cigars. Start practicing on your hunting lies.
:biglaugh: :biglaugh: :biglaugh:
Gene,
When do we start working out??
:bigsmyl:
In 2006 I was invited to hunt(first and only) the San Juan Mts of S.W.Colorado with a friend. We would be hunting between 9000' and 10000' after about a 4 mile hike in. I'm originally a flatlander but now live in the Mts of Western NC and live at 2600" so that helped a bit but most of my hunting over the years has been either in GA or Coastal SC. Most of my hunting was in warmer conditions with a little cold(for GA and SC) weather so I had to consider new hunting cloths, cold weather sleeping bag, back pack and survival gear. I got excellent info and advice from right here on TradGang.
To prepare for the strenuous conditions of higher altitudes, etc I began a routine of hiking around my property and in the near by mountains. After I bought a good back pack I loaded it up with about 25# of gear and gradually worked up to 60#, about what I expected to carry on our trip. After a few month at lower altitudes I headed up to the Blue Ridge Parkway here in my county. The Parkway lays at about 5000' and from there I would hike up to Black Balsam Knob at 6200'. That's as high as I could get around here. I made these trips a few times with little difficulty and continued all summer around my home on daily hikes with my loaded pack and bow and arrows in hand, not only on trails but busting through the bushes, down through the creeks and back up the other side. I made my hikes as hard and strenuous as I possibly could safely.
When I got to Colorado we drove to the trail head at 10000' and hiked down to our camp along Salt Creek at about 9000'. The first few hours of our hike were quite strenuous for me but I soon acclimatized and from then on enjoyed a wonderful 6 days slipping up and down drainages along Salt Sreek. Unfortunately this was the early season(Aug 28 -Sept 8; entire trip)and that year the elk were still above 12000'. We saw one or 2 cows and I did race a screaming bull to the creek(he was on one side, I was on the other)but he decided at the last minute to slip past unseen. Still a successful hunt, and wonderful experience!
Walk as much as you can. Climb stairs and hills, carry the load you expect to carry on your trip and don't let up until you are ready to leave. If you have never been in the High West be prepared to be thoroughly amazed. I remember Ray Hammond telling me how amazing the night skies out there were...and he was correct. I could hardly see the dark sky for the stars.
Well off to the gym Thursday morning after work. Damn I hate night shift. Then Friday through Tuesday at the gym.
Greg
Up to 4 miles running and 30 minutes on the bike...now if only I could simulate the O2 deprevation at 11,000 feet! Keep training guys. Only 6 more months to elk country!
Just got home from a 12 hour shift jumped on the treadmill and did a 3 mile run. :) No excuses!!
Eating my 6 small meals a day and the wieght is still coming off. Another 5k race this weekend with my wife and some friends.
Like Mike said keep up the good work everybody :bigsmyl:
Tracy
acolobowhunter
Go out in the back yard and build a camp fire, get a 12 pack of beer and cigars. Start practicing on your hunting lies.
:biglaugh: :biglaugh: :biglaugh:
Now that's the best advice I have heard in a long time!!LOL!! This year will be my 10th trip out west and I have only drawn my bow once on a 5X5 bull! Would not trade those times for anything!! :)
Im a huge fitness advocate! Its second only to hunting on my list, and being in good shape makes hunting more enjoyable! This will sound a tad off the wall, but im involved in MMA, and used to fight off and on in my younger days but now i only train and help others prepare! Ive never hunted elk before, but this is the year and my training will involve alot of anaroebic stuff(medicine ball circuits, cardio to the hilt, steep ground hiking with a pack on and such), and use a snorkel, with my nose plugged so i only breathe out of my mouth!
It is hard to get used to, but i believe it will give a flatlander the feel of hunting in the higher elevations! The idea is it forces your body to conpensate for lack of oxygen and it does work!!! Start with a light jog to help ease into it, and eventually run stairs or treadmill it! Sounds goofy i know, but ill be in shape i can guarantee it!!!
One thing I think is important look at is the stress you put on yourself during a hunt. Besides you reglur work (what ever in my be) I think you need to minic the hours,work load,lack of sleep,ect.. you will encounter. It dose not need to be all the time just enough to break up you routine. Walk with your pack up hills up stairs ect. Stay up late one night(12.00 am) sleep on the floor,then get up real early(3.00 am) and do your workout. I know I don't always get the right sleep when I hunt. In a week of elk hunting we put are bodys through h#$% you can be in phsyical shape but not in mental shape. A hunt can get to you down pretty quick when you haven't ate right,sleep bad,haven't seen a elk in days. I like to know what my bodys limits are before I get out there. Pace yourself when you are hunting remember it not a marathon it's O.K. to take a slow day. For those that think just because you are a big guy you can't be in shape,look at me. I may not be in marathon shape but I walk ,bike,stress my body, enough to make it to the top everyday with a smile.
TTT
Well just talk to my buddy and he said that still lots of snow up high. my new thing is to elk hunt for turkey out of the blind.see how it works out
Weight training and mow the 1 acer lawn each week with a push mower. During August I add 50 to 80 pounds of weight to my pack frame while mowing. It may take 3 hours, so I break it up to about 1 1/2 hours on Thursday evening and 1 1/2 hours on Saturday morning. I shoot my bow a little after each session of cardio, but on lifting days I shoot before I do arms and shoulders. Recovery is important.
Mike
(http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff289/MittenM/hero/P1030006.jpg)
At the gym, I warm up on treadmill for 30 min cardio, lift weights for endurance(lighter weight, more reps. (15 minutes) then back on treadmill for a higher level on treadmill(shorter time). Then to the sauna for a 15 min stretch/light excercise in 190 degree heat. About an hour and a half total. Then go home and do a 2 mile run. Then at work do stairs on my breaks, 700-1500 stairs depending on time. I am 55 and had to "work up" to it. Started getting in shape in Jan 2009(at 264 lbs) when Doc diagnosed me with diabetes, after I had not learned from high blood pressure diagnosis and high chloresterol diagnosis(pills). After I lost 20 lbs my blood sugar went back to normal and Doc took me off high blood pressure meds. Still doing the chloresterol meds but that tends to run in the family. Now down to 235 and feel great. Still have 20-30 pounds to go, but I will get there one day at a time.
Bottom line is to do something everday slow and work up to a goal. Eating right helps too. I kind of do the weight watchers thing with my wife. Normal good food but watching your intake. Closer to Elk season I spend time in hilly woods with gear I am going to hunt in(pack included)(blisters at home). Not too many trails in the woods out West! But do plan a trip for motivation!
Climb, Climb, Climb. Find a steep hill/mountain where you can climb continuously for at least 45 mins. At 300 lbs you won't need to haul any extra weight at first. However, as you get into better shape consider hauling water to the top. It can be dumped out so the downhill won't kill your joints. Good luck on your hunt and when you're going up the ridge with two quarters on your back, don't forget to say hi to all those skinny marathoner guys you pass.
I doubt I will make it west this year, but next year is a lock. I'll be retiring in July '11.
My plan is to spend the entire archery elk season in the mountains, national forest land, living out of a backpack.
I'll be 47 next month. I'm '8" and weighed 210 in December. After a Dr appt and some serious gut check decisions, I'm now down to 175, and feeling better than I have in years. I've been elk hunting 4 times, and the last trip I can honestly say I wa not in shape for the hunt. That will not happen again.
It is true that as we age, its easier to stay in shape than to get in shape. I totally overhauled my diet. I do not eat fast food, processed food, anything with white enriched flours, and have all but eliminated sugar and sweets from my diet. For me to do that was no east task. I eat only lean meats and game meat,lots of fresh veggies and fruit. It takes commitment, and creativity to stick with it, but keep the eye on the prize.
I lost most of my weight with no exercise, but at about 25# I hit a wall and started workouts. Not alot, I still have a long way to go, but I'm up to running 2 1/2- 3 miles per outing, which I never would have come close to 3 months ago. I also to body weight resistance exercise. No weights or gym needed, I can workout anywhere. I mix it up, doing military calisthetics, or I do hindu squats and pushups, leg lifts, sit ups etc. my goal is to get down to 160. I'm doing it slow and steady.
As for elk hunting, if you're a flatlander, give yourself a day or two to acclimate to altitude.
If you don't you risk altitude sickness and spending the next fe days in camp with a screaming headache, nausea and vomiting. Take you time.
Where getting in good cardio shape will pay off is recovery time. You'll still have to stop and catch your breath on occasion. The better shape you're in, the faster that will be. Could make thedifference in cutting off a bull or him giving you the slip. Or being able to catch your breath enough to be able to make a bow shot. Can you hunt elk if you're not in great shape- yes. Hunt slow, sit water holes, hang stands over a wallow etc. But getting in the best shape you can will save you a lot of very sore muscles, and kee pyou moving.
I have a plan that will put me in the best shape of my life by the time I retire. Running, interval training, calisthetics,and eating right.
For those who carry a lot of extra weight, changing your eating habits will work wonders for you.
I went for a cholesterol of 276 to 236 in 3 months with diet, exercise and a litte help fom pharmacuticals.
Work hard, do the best you can.
Just don't overdo it. Last year I started walking about two miles and bike riding for about 3 to 4 months before the hunt.
Each week I increased the distance. Until I was walking and jogging up and down hills for 7 miles. Then I would ride the bike and additional 10 to 12 miles up and down the same hills. Well the week before the hunt I pulled something in my hip, right in the area your wallet rests. I think I should have removed my wallet because several times it felt uncomfortable.
Well since I stated I would go on the hunt I did. I ended up spending more time in camp since the pain continued to get worse. The mountains really aggravated it.
When I returned I hunted deer season all the way until the end of Dec before I could sit or stand comfortable for any time.
Well I am crazy enough to attempt my first half-marathon this weekend :help: ...after that I am gonna slow it down a bit and start working on building up my flat-lander lungs for the high country and shooting my elk bow! Can't wait :archer2:
Just another thought for those of you truly obsessed. I noticed last season that it was a bit more difficult to bugle when out of breath, maybe bring your calls to the gym with you :) .
Good luck this weekend Mike with the race :wavey:
Tracy
Did my first half-marathon in Nashville TN this weekend. It was fun but tough. I will have something to draw upon when I have a bull screaming up the mountain. I will have been to the brink of everything I have in the tank so NO EXCUSES :readit:
I never thought I'd be fit enough to tackle such maddness after 3 knee surgeries and hitting the big 4-0 but I did it! So now I will shoot my elk bow and ready myself over the next 4 months. I can't wait to have my longbow in my hand, pack on my back, and thin air around me. :archer2:
Well another month is just about gone and we are that much closer to the big day got a bum arm now not sure what is going on with it but taken it slow.
Good work on your 1/2 marathon Wapiti!
Sounds like you are good to go for 2010!
Best of luck with your 2010 elk hunt!
Shoot straight, Shinken
I try to be in good cardio fitness and strong enough to carry a load on your back in rough/steep terrain. After two high country bowhunts (over 10k feet), I'm convinced you have to train mentally as well. There really isn't anyway to train for altitude unless you go spend time in altitude. On day 4 or 5 when you want to quit, you have to have a plan on how you are going to keep going.
One new thing I'm doing this year is spending time hiking with a 70lb pack. I hope I don't have to carry that much but I'll be ready for it. I think that maybe the best way to train for carrying a heavy pack is to spend time carrying a heavy pack!
Ok, now that I know how to get in shape, how do I get motivated to do it? I think about working out quite often, but can't seem to get the motivation...or stay motivated after I start.
My wife will be getting layed off soon, so I hope to have her join a gym with me.
This is a great thread!
Having just had a heart attack 2 weeks ago at 49 years of age, motivation is not my problem!
I'll be interested in anything related to fitness, especially cardio.
TooManyHobbies, there is an old saying: motion leads to motivation. Forget thinking about it, just do what the old Nike commercial used to say: JUST DO IT!
Start with a walk around the block, or a long walk with your wife. I think about elk hunting alot when I am training: I try to think of the thin air and the tough climbs and think that any work I can do before I go will lighten my load. Keep after it everybody!
I'm just "DOING IT" right now :)
see ya in 30 min... my elliptical is waiting :)
There ya go :) Done, 58 years old, 30 min, 617 calories :) Will do my 30 min free weights tonight do some hiking wed or thurs (days off)... Time for work !!
My wife and I decided to play cards to get in shape. To make it interesting and fun. I simply took a deck of cards, shuffled and delt each of us ten cards. We flip one card at a time, do that many pushups. Then another and do that many situps, repeat. Ten cards was enough to start. LOL. As we progress, we'll add jump rope for cardio, jumping 5 - 10x face value of card. It's a start anyway. I told her, we'll be doing the whole deck by the end of summer.
BTW, I'm not going for elk, but for moose in NFD, in Oct.
Excellent Mike :bigsmyl:
Tracy
Jeremy, I did that two years ago for a Colorado elk hunt and it worked real well. Although I never got past 50# and 5 miles every other day.
WOW ..great thread! Got a few things to add. I ran seriously for 20 yrs (USMC) and that included 4 marathons and humping a pack and rifle/machine gun for more miles than I'd like to count. Here is what I learned the hard way.
1. Not all runners need the same running shoes,some need more cushion and many need more support,esp us bigger guys. Use your running shoes for running only and after about 6-8 months of 15+ mile weeks they will be breaking down so replace them (your joints will thank you)Then you can use them for everyday shoes. 30-45 min. three times a week will build your cardio.
2. Hump,hike,walk, with a weighted pack and the boots you will be hunting in (blisters on a hunt suck). Start light,(20#)and work up (bags of cat litter work great). You use the same muscles differently when walking under a load and running. Do hills,bleachers,steps, both up and down, to build strength with stamina. Going down is harder on muscles than up and more likely for injury. The closer to the hunt do more humping than running. You should build up to one long 3 hr+ hike every 2 weeks. Walk 45-50 min,rest/water for 10.-repeat.
3. Two weeks before the hunt scale back the training to light runs and easy walks. This lets your muscles totaly recover and be healthy for when you need them most. Overtraining can really lead to serious injury and put you out of action for 6 months or more.
I drew a western Montana buck tag this year so I'm in the same boat. At 49 it seems to hurt a lot more to get back in shape than I remembered it did.
Wanted to bring this back up...started training for the first of 3 triathlons this summer. We are 4 months away from elk season. I am going to train for 4 triathlons with the 4th being my week in elk country except every day in elk country is like doing a triathlon...up the mountain, down the mountain, sucking air, wondering why you are doing this to yourself then getting to the top and knowing :thumbsup: I can't WAIT!
like mentioned before take it easy just prior to the hunt to make sure your muscles recover. Living in elk country its a little easier to stay in hunting shape due to the fact I hike the mountains whenever possible (horn hunting, fishing, bear hunting, and scouting). taking my brother sheep hunting this fall and my plan is basically to hike a bunch, with a pack, and get my mountain legs back. I will also lift a few weights but keep it light weight and more reps. A good hunting buddy once said being in shape is the only way to hunt, if your not in shape and always exhausted and/or hurting it will take a ton of enjoyment out of the hunt. If you think about it that it so true. Good luck this fall
Good advice, but I can't agree completely with the guys who say they hike with the weight they carry hunting. You want to start slow and make sure your joints have time to toughen, but you also want to build to considerably more weight than you intend to carry--even when you are carrying meat. It's a whole different experience if/when you do that. There is something to working those smaller stabilizing muscles that helps considerably.
I'm 51 now. But finally after a year feel like I am ahead of the curve regarding conditioning.
But on a hike today I was reminded that training for going DOWNHILL is just as important as training for climbing UP.
Different muscles. Different balance point.
Joshua
I just brought a different fitness thread to the top and saw that somebody referenced this one - so I'm bringing this ttt as well.