Some of us hit the gym and/or track to condition our bodies for the upcoming season.  Some of us shoot every day.  Does anyone have a tested routine that works for them that conditions legs, shoulders, whole body?  Some of you guys are fitness enthusiast. How about sharing with us mere mortals what works best for you. Hunting season is much closer than you think and many of us need time to condition, starting slowly.

What do you do to stay sharp?

Billy

There are a couple 6 plus page threads going already on this subject if you are interested. One is specifically for elk hunting "getting in shape for elk hunting" (I think) the other "4 months and counting, will you be prepared physically..."


Joshua

I've had the most success with Crossfit.  It looks a little too intense for some folks who aren't already in decent shape but the approach is very scalable and very effective even for folks who are coming off of the couch.

In summary, don't think in terms of cardio or weight training.  Take free weights and do full body motion excercises integrated into shorter, more intense workouts than you would traditionally pursue.

You can be a marathon runner or an arm wrestling champion and have weaknesses that a hunt can really expose.  Full range of motion, intense, total body exercise is the best way to eliminate those weaknesses in my opinion.

There are programs like P90X that are very popular today and follow these same concepts as well.  I just think they are very profit motivated and more complicated than necessary.

Crossfit for this guy- I am 50 this year and look in great shape- though I really have limitations/disabilities; just modify/adjust/creative the work outs for my ability.

Just google it and pop it up- it gives you the workout daily and costs nothing.  There is also a  complete video library of "how-toes" on the exercises.  The routines vary greatly which also add to the enjoyment- never gets stale.

Good hunting
Dan in KS

I usually run up hills to prepare for the hunting season

When it gets hot I switch to lite beer.

QuoteOriginally posted by Onehair:
When it gets hot I switch to lite beer.

Is that because it's less filling or because it tastes great?
I am working out for the "relay for life" my goal is to walk a 12 mile stint in about 4 hours.

May be a bit simple but to me it seems most appropriate  to stay in shape (generally) all year long. And to acheive this I use what's most natural to me and always available.  All forms and angles of free hand (body weight) push ups, pull ups, hand stands, squats (free hand and with dumb bells), isometric (resistance against immovable surface) and polymetric,  ( explosive pushes jumps and leaps basically against gravity). I live in  Colorado so for cardio I find the fastest and safest (on knees etc..) way to keep heart healthy is running steep hills in intervals." I usually do this stuff before I break out the micro brews". And of course the best thing to keep the bow arms fit is to do the most sport specific stuff. ie: shoot your bow as much as possible. SC

The best trainer I've ever used - the TRX!!  Hang it up and knock your self out.  Worth every penny.  H

Here's a good link to see what alot of folks are doing. Keep after guys!

http://tradgang.com/noncgi/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=083645;p=1

Run 3-4 days a week, 6-12 miles each with a long trail run of about 20 miles every three weeks. Cycle 3-4 days a week 15-30 miles each with a long ride of 45-75 miles once a week. Gym with wts or swim 2-3 times a week. There, after writing that down I have broken a sweat, wheres the pizza.

I've been working with a personal trainer, first time for me(not counting drill instructors at P.I.).
This guy kicks my butt twice a week. He believes in doing a pulling exercise, say lat pull-downs, followed immediately by a pushing exercise like incline push -ups. Also, a lot of free weights, almost no abs, cardio on off days.
I also swim laps.
I'm hoping I can move up in draw weight a little and handle my Everglades hikes/hunts a little easier this year.
The other plus is I can eat crappy and drink beer on the weekends.

I have a solid eating program and keep track of everything I eat everyday right now. Food is fuel and it all starts there and if your eating the wrong foods you won't have the energy to work out all the time or just consistently and that's the key also, do something everyday.

I'm riding a bike 3 times a week, running 3 times a week and swimming 2 to 3. I'm training for a Triathlon and have been running races since the first of the year. Down 30lbs and counting and I eat all the time all day long.

Everybody has limitations just learn to work around them.

Tracy

Alright onehair, how many curls do you do with that lite beer? Do you switch hands or is one side built up more than the other?

I blue, lift weights and do the treadmill. I shoot my bow 3-4 times per wk for 100-300 shots each time. The coolest thing I am doing now is taking boxing lessons. I am 43 and never boxed in my life but boy what a workout. My teacher is a maniac. Tons of fun though.

a whole lot of running and stump shooting.

I usually stay off these threads, but will give one recommendation. I am an exercise physiologist and trainer. If I sat down for a full week to design the best possible workout program I would end up with something very close to the p90x system.

It is complete, customizable, and can be used for the rest of your life. Essentials to in a healthy program. There are a few moves that are really advanced that I won't do because I don't like the position it puts my body in. I just substitute a different move.

Just remember health is 50% activity/ and 50% diet.

My wife is a fitness trainer and she got me started on some circuit training with some weights.  Lots of lunges and a full body workout but you do it fast enough to get cardio too.  It seems to be doing well for me.  I just need to get my eating habits in line with the excercise.

most guys are strong enough but need cardiovascular stamina...once the heart starts to race and your lungs can't hold up your muscles will never follow.

get the lungs and heart in shape and you will be that much further ahead of the game.

i train 4x a week in the gym with a strict weights/powerlifter routine with some moderate cardio and a strict diet.

I go to the Y minimum 3 days a week to lift and do some cardio, I ride my bike and do Tae Kwon Do and I shoot my bow a lot. I have to keep up with the young bucks when I'm out and about hunting or at the 3D range