Elk hunting specific exercises??

[Toby]

I am looking for the most efficient exercises I can use to get me in elk hunting/packing shape. I like to keep things simple. I am looking for suggestions from those experienced with this. I'm in pretty good shape and will be 64 this fall, so no triathlons please

[WapitiTalk1]

Most efficient? Hiking with weight on your back. Start lighter in the spring (20-30 lbs) and work on getting your cardio endurance up by going a bit farther every week. I start MAR/APR every year and eventually am up to 50-60 lbs by the end of AUG. Hike hills, up and down if possible. No hills where you live? HS stadium stairs work well. I also mix in MT bike riding at least 2 days each week. This has worked well for me for many years. All said, nothing really can prepare someone for the elevation changes on elk mountain but hiking 4-5 times per week with a pack, and mixing in some bike riding, will get you on your way.

[zpd307]

I am looking for the most efficient exercises I can use to get me in elk hunting/packing shape. I like to keep things simple. I am looking for suggestions from those experienced with this. I'm in pretty good shape and will be 64 this fall, so no triathlons please

aww come on! there goes my suggestion

[pointysticks]

kettlebell swings!

and i like jumping up on my back steps.

[Toby]

I am looking for the most efficient exercises I can use to get me in elk hunting/packing shape. I like to keep things simple. I am looking for suggestions from those experienced with this. I'm in pretty good shape and will be 64 this fall, so no triathlons please

aww come on! there goes my suggestion

I thought that might be on the top of your list.

[ctdad]

Burpees are a whole body exercise. No equipment required.

[ishy]

+1 for phantom. I'm always ion decent shape, but hiking with weight has helped a ton. My last two elk I was able to get out all on my own. Feels pretty good, atleast after you recover a few days it feels good.

[Broken arrow]

Burpees are a whole body exercise. No equipment required.

+1000
These will teach your body to preform with a lack of oxygen.
Burpees, lunges, squats, cleans and yoga.
But I will say as so will many others mental fitness trumps physical on a backpack hunt.
Push yourself mentally, sleep without a shelter in the woods or in the back yard, spend the day in a tent only get out to relieve yourself or fetch water, (if going solo) spend a weekend in silence away from any human contact, TV, internet, etc. Deprive yourself from sleep for days doing physical activities (hiking with a weighted pack, go on a bike ride, clean the house, yard work, etc.) just push yourself to continue your daily routine.

[Toby]

Great suggestions.

Broken arrow, I like your emphasis on mental fitness, that is a difference maker.

[zpd307]

Great suggestions.

Broken arrow, I like your emphasis on mental fitness, that is a difference maker.

toby, mental fitness is definitely huge. I can not, I say again can not over emphasis mental toughness!!!! unfortunately it cant be taught...... that's why I like to do tris and marathons, it tests me mentally. so I know that the mountains wont kick my ass, because it already did it to myself

[Triplebhunters]

+1 Squats. Lunges.
What are cleans?

[Broken arrow]

+1 Squats. Lunges.
What are cleans?

There are lots of variations.
My favorite is the dumbell clean.
You start with a dumbells on each side of you weight is up to you I use 20/25 lbs right now. Squat down grab the weights keeping your knees behind your toes. Lift the weights up beside your head stand up then push the weights up over your head. Repeat in reverse. Do a set of 10 and you will see just how effective they are at kicking your butt!

[Triplebhunters]

Thanks Broken Arrow. Hitting the gym tonight, will try them.

[ElkNut1]

Good stuff guys! As you can see from most advice here what hunters are doing is building their cardio, we all have different ways to do this, some run some do not but all have the same goal in the end. There are plenty of exercise moves to juggle around with that do not require wts. I too enjoy doing those 6-7 months out of the year then add a bit of wts in the 3-4 months before the season opener to my regular routine just to add some spice & strength into it, nothing harsh by any means but more along the lines of lots of reps, this too also builds cardio! In the end or last 3-4 months the pack is injected into the workout routine Mon - Wed - Fri-- Ahh you gotta love elk hunting! (grin)

ElkNut1

[ferris bugler]

I'm with phantom. He pretty much has it nailed.

Also, for me it's important to practice shooting at an elevated heart rate. There is a big difference between shooting at a target with good rest and being fatigued. So either stump shoot in the hills or climb some stairs a few times before you shoot.

[elkaholic]

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=gczI5sINn9U

+2 on the burpees
Man makers as well.

[dapper]

In December my treadmill bit the dust. My wife talked me into a rowing machine as its replacement. I really like it because I think I get the same workout in half the time. Since getting it in Mid-December I've used it every single day working my way up to four miles a day. I don't know how it translates into elk hunting shape, but when I started shooting my bow again, once it warmed a bit outside, I've noticed that I can hold my bow steadier. Besides the cardio benefits it works out my back, shoulders, arms and legs.
That being said, I still think its important to strap on some weight and hike, get them shoulders used to the bite of the straps.

Dan

[phall]

everyone has their own abilities and/or limitations . push yours to the max both physically mentally. everyone so far has had great input. im no expert elk hunter but fairly experienced with the training thing. just think what does are marathon runner do the most of to get into shape for a marathon... running... so what does a elk hunter need to do to be in the best possible shape for elk hunting... elk hunting. we all know thats impossible so start by building a strong foundation of strength and cardio. crossfit stuff would be at the top of my list....cross training...circuit weight training... running, biking, swimming, rowing... do it all as hard, as long, and as much as you can. push yourself but not to the point of injury. listen to your body if it hurts give it a rest and do something different for a week or so. next and most importantly as others have said hike add weight hike and add some more weight. make this hiking as realistic to your planned elk environment as possible all the way down to the boots you plan to wear for your hunt...last year was a major wake up call for me i was doing it all at high levels except the hiking with my pack and boots, the first 3 days and 20ish miles later i hated myself for not carrying that pack... there just isn't that one exercise, group of exercises, or activity...do as you can as hard as you can as much as you can...then add in a loaded pack. marathoners run, swimmers swim, lifters lift... you have to find a way to conditions the muscles, supporting structures, heart & lungs for that specific activity you are planning to do in order to be at your best for that activity. others have hit the nail on the head with the mental game as well. mental toughness can be learned but they key is to stay positive, think positive thoughts, do poitive things, and drown out any and all negativity in your hunting group. negativity is infectious, stay away, avoid it or it can ruin a dream hunt quick. goof luck out there and be safe

[Toby]

phall, great post and welcome.

[pointysticks]

seriously. take a stair step thing and jump up on it repeatedly. it builds your explosive strength. makes climbing with a heavy pack better. bonus..you will be a wheezing mess..so it works cardio.

same with up and downs. that sick sadistic excercise my coach used to do..at my age..it is brutal.

i do kettle bell swings to strenghten my core. helps me get a pack onto my back..with balance.

[Toby]

Pointy, I will try those as well.

By up/downs, do you mean burpees?

[pointysticks]

burpee?

standing,,drop into a squat, push down and kick out feet, do a pushup and reverse back up?

burpee..i like that better.

[Csrbowhunter]

I do insanity and it really works. I must warn you that most people I know that tried it couldn't make it threw the warmup but if you stick with it you'll be in great elk hunting shape.

[sleepymoe]

Only thing I'd add is you gain mental toughness by being prepared, physically, shooting, etc. If you don't commit to preparation you won't be ready when all the sudden you have a kill opportunity. Start early so you can gain mental toughness as you improve.

[Toby]

Only thing I'd add is you gain mental toughness by being prepared, physically, shooting, etc. If you don't commit to preparation you won't be ready when all the sudden you have a kill opportunity. Start early so you can gain mental toughness as you improve.

I like your thinking.