Getting in shape for Elk season

jtwalsh62 · January 19, 2010, 10:33:00 AM

So what do you do to get in shape for elk season? It it just around the corner.

Morning Star · January 19, 2010, 10:38:00 AM

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.

T Lail · January 19, 2010, 10:45:00 AM

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....

wapiti792 · January 19, 2010, 10:52:00 AM

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!

jaytraden · January 19, 2010, 01:28:00 PM

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!!!

BRONZ · January 19, 2010, 03:16:00 PM

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!

lpcjon2 · January 19, 2010, 03:19:00 PM

If New Jersey had Elk I would be in great shape till then I guess I'll get fat.

BlacktailBowhunter · January 19, 2010, 04:13:00 PM

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

Greg Gilliland · January 19, 2010, 10:14:00 PM

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

LongbowGuy83 · January 19, 2010, 10:22:00 PM

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.

PAPA BEAR · January 19, 2010, 10:23:00 PM

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.

BlacktailBowhunter · January 19, 2010, 10:25:00 PM

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.

Greg Gilliland · January 23, 2010, 11:25:00 PM

TTT

slivrslingr · January 24, 2010, 04:57:00 AM

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.

centaur · January 24, 2010, 08:19:00 AM

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!".

greenhed · January 24, 2010, 11:19:00 AM

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.

Randy · January 25, 2010, 09:53:00 AM

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.

KentuckyTJ · January 25, 2010, 10:32:00 AM

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.

Bonecracker · January 25, 2010, 11:46:00 AM

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!!

Greg Gilliland · January 25, 2010, 10:09:00 PM

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