physical fitness for the western hunter..

[Roadkill]

Altitude can get you too.  As said ,hydrate! You can put bricks in a pack do squats and stair step.  Run up hills.  I have hunted NV, CA,ID,MT,WY And AZ. And each have their own altitude, heat/cold and humidity conditions.  Those who live where you will hunt have the recommendations you need.  I live in altitude year round, but these mountains kick my 63 year old legs and lungs
You are wise to have sought out info

[duncan idaho]

Ray,
       The 5-3-1 program was developed by a serious trainer for the purpose of gaining overall strength and body mass. It is not a "bodybuilding program". It is a program most fighters use because it cuts out a lot of "assistance" work and focuses on body strength.
 The book is online but you can go to :  www.tnation.com  and search for the program, plently of articles and different approaches. Good Luck.

[joevan125]

I went through a divorce around 2 years ago and my ex took my 6yr old daughter and moved 2 hours away. I was 6'2 200LBS but when they moved i crawled into a bottle of Vodka for almost a year and got up to 264LBS and felt terrible.

Well i finall got it together and started going to the gym, dam all those mirrors, about 4-5 days a week.

My doctor is also a dietition and he put me on a diet and in 3 months i have lost 44 lbs and feel great.

I have put in for a Elk hunt in Arizona where a friend of mine lives and he is a billy goat, walks me to death.

Anyway i have started riding my road bike and will soon start loading my pack up and going on 4-6 mile hikes in our state park.

Joe Van

[Swiftspeed10]

I'm in the gym 4 days a week, I cross train in tae kwon do and kung fu, I shoot mostly spring summer and fall!

[CheyenneFoote]

Me and my wife went on our first high country hunt 2 years ago. I am in fair shape and trained for this hunt but the altitude got me. Next time I'm going to tape my mouth shut and plug up one nostial and run up the steeps hill I can find then I might be used to the lack of O2. Just kidding don't do that!

[Smithhammer]

Lots of good advice. One other thing I'd stress - gym time, and cardio-specific stuff is great, and it really does help a lot. But in my experience, structured workouts are only part of the equation when it comes to preparing for extended travel in the mountains.

I led wilderness expeditions for 12 years in some pretty remote parts of the Americas (Alaska, B.C, Wyoming, Chile, etc), and I saw many people who were very physically fit - highly competitive marathon runners, and such - crumble on long days in the mountains. There is a world of difference between being tired, miles from camp, late in the day, in a whiteout, on an exposed scree slope with heavy pack, and being in the gym, no matter how intense your workout regimen might be.

Workouts definitely help, but I'd also strongly suggest getting out and traveling in uneven, steep terrain, in less than ideal weather, etc. whenever you can, if you have it accessible. Bike, ski, hike, year-round. Just as target shooting is only an approximation of hunting, so are structured indoor workouts in comparison to extended time in the mountains. And there is a mental "toughness" component that requires regular workouts as well, and that often seems underestimated.

[Pat B]

I've been to Colorado 2 times in the last 6 years, my only times out there. We hunted between 9K and 10K and hiked in about 4 miles with 60# the first hunt and 40# the second.
On my first trip I had 6 months to get ready. I walk a lot anyway but for this I pushed myself hard going up and down hills(don't overlook the downhill walking). The last 2 or 3 months before the hunt I carried my loaded pack(60#) on these hikes. I live at 2600' in the mountains of NC so that gave me somewhat a head start over most flatlanders. I also would hike from the Blue Ridge Parkway(5000') up to Black Balsam Knob(6200')with my full pack.
  For my hunt last Sept I didn't have as much time but I still pressed my hikes to make them more physically challenging. Except for blisters on one of my feet I faired very well. I did get out of breath on the hikes in and out and some while hunting but I'd stop and rest for a minute, drink lots of water and I was fine.
  FYI, I was 56 on my first hunt and 61 on my second hunt. I did feel my age but with a little effort that wasn't a much of a problem. I'd go again in a minute! When my age gets in the way it will be time to hang it all up anyway. Until then I will do what I can when I can.

[Montanawidower]

Crossfit 3x a week.  I also walk my dog in Aug with a 50lb pack on.  Usually does the trick.  

I shoot 4-5 days a week in the summer and 7 days a week before a hunt.  

Even still, I suck wind with the best of them on some ascents.  Thats just elk hunting.  

Jeff

[centaur]

Jeff,
I bet your dog is in really good shape with his 50 lb. pack on.  

[straight_arrow]

I'm 61 and fit.  In spring & summer I hike 25-30 miles per week.  I live at 7,800 feet so my hiking varies between 7,800 and 9,000 feet. My definition of hiking is going as hard as you can, it should be a significant cardio workout not a sightseeing trek.  I also work my arms  with dumbells every other day and pushups opposite days, booth are in addition to the hiking routine.  In the winter I migrate to the treadmill, 2 -3 miles per day using the upper end of the incline @ 15 minute miles but also continue the curls and pushups.  Regardless of age, you must be fit.

[straight_arrow]

Forgot to mention, I shoot every day outdoors.  Number of arrows depends largely on the weather, particularly the temperature.  I think practice at very low temps. can be counter productive when form suffers.

[arrow flynn]

versa climber ist 10 min 90 to 95 ft per min 5 min recovery 55 60 per min then last 5 min intervals 20 sec fast as you can go io sec active recovery 55 to 60 . i got it kranked up to max resistance.it aint no eliptical. it gets uncomfortable quicly but its the fast track to cardio fitness.