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What is your bowhunting workout program?

5 x 5 strong lifts and HITT

for cardio I highly recommend a variety of aerobics to include swimming sprint laps

nothing will prepare you for that altitude though. Get there a day early and get to 8-9000 and acclimate. going strait to 10000+ is going to hit you. If you. get altitude sickness drop down a few 1000 until your body corrects.
 
Luckily I do well with the altitude...

I have been called a mountain goat by numerous people in my life. I typically run off and leave people when hiking in the mountains. The main things I know I need work on are large loads at altitude, and more stability from current shoulder weakness.

Also, i think it is just a good idea to get in top top shape.
 
DaveT1963 said:
5 x 5 strong lifts and HITT

for cardio I highly recommend a variety of aerobics to include swimming sprint laps

nothing will prepare you for that altitude though. Get there a day early and get to 8-9000 and acclimate. going strait to 10000+ is going to hit you. If you. get altitude sickness drop down a few 1000 until your body corrects.
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They make a pill for that. The side effects are weird though. Like tingling sensation in the extremities. I definitely had that while I was on the mountain and for a couple weeks when I got back. Not sure if it was the medicine, the cold, or the heavy pack.
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@DaveT1963 sleeping a night or two at altitude before hard work is a MUST. I learned that one the hard way in my teens.
 
For the shoulder - do an online search for shoulder rehab exercises. For packing - nothing beast grabbing a pack and going for hikes - supplement with good dead lifts and squats - the 5 X 5 Strong lifts is a very effective program to condition and build strength. I think HIIT cardio will simulate loss of oxygen better than ordinary steady state cardio - switch it up and keep challenging yourself.

Next time, if I ever go again, I drop an elk I will call you my "Mt Goat" friend :)
 
Six years ago I about died hiking out of a canyon while elk hunting with my daughter, youngest son and a friend of mine. Not an Idaho steep canyon but still an Idaho canyon with a couple of feet of snow. It took me over two weeks to fully recover. Retirement had not been good for me physically. I was just shy of hitting the 300 mark on the scale. As a result of this eye opening event my wife and I changed our diet and began a walking routine that evolved into a hiking routine. For the past 5 years we have hiked 3-4 days a week averaging 30 miles a week. Our routine varies from a 1400’ to 1600’ gain in elevation. I carry a full size pack weighing 25-30 pounds. Before hunting season I do quite a few days with 55-60 pounds. I have been able to maintain an average weight of 190. The mountains are not nearly as steep these days!

Norkal
 
I keep it simple. Squat, Deadlift and Press are the main exercises I stick with. I’ll do some extra stuff to go with it but I can get most of my workouts done with a barbell and plates. I include running and pull ups with most of my workouts. For me it’s all about using the compound movements.
 
5 x 5 is just that.... 5 compound lifts, three per workout, three times a week.... it will hit your entire body
 
KartShot said:
Kettlebell simple and sinister by Pavel Tsatsouline. It will cover all your basic fitness needs and leave you with plenty of time and energy for sport specific training (hunting).
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Going to have to get that. I have a kettlebell but, other than doing some swings occasionally, it collects dust.
 
KartShot said:
It's gentle on the body but has me stronger and more flexible than I have ever been. It helped fill a lot of gaps in my strength.
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Did you have someone watching your form when you were learning? I have dabbled with it, but feel like it’s a complicated move that could get me injured if form is not correct.
 
mtsrunner said:
Did you have someone watching your form when you were learning? I have dabbled with it, but feel like it’s a complicated move that could get me injured if form is not correct.
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I did not. Just like archery and so many other things, patience is your friend. Start with no weight and explore the movements until you get it. Then start with a light kettlebell ,16kg is what I started with.
 
KartShot said:
Kettlebell simple and sinister by Pavel Tsatsouline. It will cover all your basic fitness needs and leave you with plenty of time and energy for sport specific training (hunting).
Click to expand...

Another vote for KB S&S. This is what I have settled on after trying several methods. My goals are general strength and physical endurance for BJJ, hunting, and life in general. While still having time and energy for a job, and the aforementioned activities.

I believe barbells are great, but the learning curve is higher and the equipment requirements are greater. The other drawback for me was that barbell programs are not very forgiving to missing a session.

While consistency is key, you don't lose a lot (if any) ground by missing S&S session.

You will get a CRAP TON of mileage out of a 16kg KB. I really believe everyone should have one of these.

Yoga is great and I love it, but I have personally had more flexibility and mobility (not the same thing) gains from weight training.

In addition to S&S, I would add in a sprint session (hill sprints are the best for me, but there are countless methods). No more than once per week.

That's just for general preparedness.

For hunt specific: grab your pack and load it up and start walking.

If you haven't already, clean up your diet. Fueling properly will do more for you than any workout.
 
I would do lots of hiking with the pack loaded that I was planning to use and wear an altitude mask.
 
Genetics. Im a super human. JK. I don’t work out at all, I just eat decent and don’t have time to sit still. There’s always something I need to be doing.
 
I drink Yeangling Traditional larger beer and eat backstraps and I throw in some mushrooms and potatoes sometimes. Ride my e-bike . I'm good.
 
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