Now that the ice hockey season is over for me, I started to hit the weights and trails in order to get into top physical condition, so I can hunt the high country this fall. I know most people don’t need to stay in shape to drive a Ford truck down a logging road and shoot a buck over the hood of your truck, but if you want to get away from the crowds and enjoy the vast wilderness of the alpine you will definitely need to be in top physical condition. Hiking up extreme elevations with a weighted down pack calls for a set of strong legs, a strong core coupled with endurance. Trust me, there is nothing worse than feeling bagged on the top of a mountain. You will lose your motivation to hunt, the sole purpose of being on the mountain that high up in the first place. So I urge you, be in the best physical shape you can be in next time you go up into the high country on your sheep hunt or mule deer hunt.
Here is a breakdown of my regime:
Cardio 4x a week
2 bike sessions 30 mins, 2 trail hiking sessions minimum 1-2 hours each.
Free weights 3x a week
Day 1) chest & triceps- 5 exercises for chest- 3 sets of 10 reps, 3 exercises for triceps- 3 sets of 10 reps
Day 2) back & biceps- 5 exercises for back-3 sets of 10 reps, 3 exercises for biceps-3 sets of 10 reps
Day 3) legs & shoulders- 4 exercises for legs-3 sets of 10 reps, 4 exercises for shoulders 3 sets of 10 reps
*remember to use free weights and focus on strength building exercises. eg. Squats, deadlifts, bench press etc.
I also work abs out 3 days a week by doing crunches and leg raises.
You don’t need to follow this regime per say, just make sure you are getting your heart rate into your cardio zone for at least 30 minutes 3 times a week and do some free weights 3 times a week focusing on your core.
Don’t delay getting into shape for your next hunting adventure.
Alex from Uber bows recently made an article specific for archers getting into shape for archery:
https://uberbows.com/strength-and-conditioning-exercises-for-archery/