Balancing Sheep Shape and Beach Body

[Cactus kid]

I think this article is interesting regarding where you want to be based on your goals/hunts/endeavors:

Ideal Bodyweights for Mountain Athletes, Mountain Professionals and Tactical Athletes

By Rob Shaul For years I’ve answered questions from individual mountain and tactical athletes and/or given unsolicited advice on a target bodyweight based on height, but until now, I’ve never formalized these ideal bodyweight targets. Everything MTI does is focused on improving and/or maximizing...

mtntactical.com

I am definitely on the fatty side of these charts at 6'1" and 213 lbs.
The link didn't show this chart, and I am in no way "tactical", but 190 seems like a more comfortable weight for me. I felt the best when I was around that weight and focused on single leg strength and muscle endurance.

View attachment 1088202

I remember reading this a couple years ago. Im 30lbs over the "ideal" and havent seen that weight since freshman year. I have been successful on some pretty cool mountain hunts.

OP i am sure you have already figured out that you would be more efficient at a lower body weight, but you can still be successful consistently at a heavier one. You understand there is no free lunch. But there is no reason you cant be a successful sheep hunter AND be a big dude. Only you can decide if its worth it.

 

[180ls1]

Nailed it.

Look, OP, I'm probably the least muscular person in this entire thread, but even I have already learned that skinny beats 'ripped' once you get off flat ground.

If you are looking for balance (OP) being "skinny" or the "least muscular" does not help you either. I think you'd be surprised how differently women (even men) respond to you if you have a good build.

 

[grizz19]

Man for me I’ve done the mtn tough program the last 18 months and it’s really been a good balance. They have different programs for different times of the year. Has programs to prep for season and winter programs to put on muscle and strength. I’ve been really happy with my physique, as well as my performance on the mountain.

 

[Hnthrdr]

“Guys I’m too jacked a tan and fit, any advice for a total chad stud muffin?!” Serious replies only!

Just be an athlete. This is my only advice. I’m sorry you are burdened by big muscles and sheep tags hahaha

Really a personal thing guys but have been thinking about starting a thread for how to elk hunt when you have ungodly large hammer of a hang down? How to I balance this burden with a pants and pack that will work while I kill 380 bulls?

 

[Hnthrdr]

I think this article is interesting regarding where you want to be based on your goals/hunts/endeavors:

Ideal Bodyweights for Mountain Athletes, Mountain Professionals and Tactical Athletes

By Rob Shaul For years I’ve answered questions from individual mountain and tactical athletes and/or given unsolicited advice on a target bodyweight based on height, but until now, I’ve never formalized these ideal bodyweight targets. Everything MTI does is focused on improving and/or maximizing...

mtntactical.com

I am definitely on the fatty side of these charts at 6'1" and 213 lbs.
The link didn't show this chart, and I am in no way "tactical", but 190 seems like a more comfortable weight for me. I felt the best when I was around that weight and focused on single leg strength and muscle endurance.

View attachment 1088202

Is this a chart showing what twinks should weigh? Lolz

 

[jimh406]

At 185, I could go a day or two on very little food, still put on miles, and be okay. Now, if I miss a meal, my body lets me know fast. The glucose crash happens stupidly quick.

My guess is you eat remarkably different at the higher weight. If you ate very little carbs as a 185 person, and up the carbs quite a lot to maintain the heavy weight, You are comparing what could be Keto past a non-Keto diet. It will make a difference in a constant demand for food.

I'd compare what you eat at both weights to find out if it is just calories or carb/fat/protein difference.

 

[DisplacedHusky]

The football coach adage “Looks like Tarzan, plays like Jane” may be applicable.

As I get into my late 40s I have found a happy medium with my weight where I can do all the things I want to. As I age I want to keep muscle mass but now I focus more on mobility and athleticism.

A good test is to go play a sport. Many of us stop actually playing sports as we age and the amount of athleticism I’ve lost since my teens and 20s is noticeable. My mind says I can do all the moves I used to, but my body says “How about we make this look like you’ve been drinking.”

Crossing rivers and scree fields is no different. Athleticism matters. Just find a happy medium that allows you to feel good (mentally and physically) and do all the things you want to do.

 

[Shootinsurveyor]

The football coach adage “Looks like Tarzan, plays like Jane” may be applicable.

As I get into my late 40s I have found a happy medium with my weight where I can do all the things I want to. As I age I want to keep muscle mass but now I focus more on mobility and athleticism.

A good test is to go play a sport. Many of us stop actually playing sports as we age and the amount of athleticism I’ve lost since my teens and 20s is noticeable. My mind says I can do all the moves I used to, but my body says “How about we make this look like you’ve been drinking.”

Crossing rivers and scree fields is no different. Athleticism matters. Just find a happy medium that allows you to feel good (mentally and physically) and do all the things you want to do.

I had the same realization as I faceplanted hopping rocks in the river while fishing. Playing tennis with my kid has helped with quickness and balance. Played lots of sports and have worked outside most of my life up to the last 5 years or so. Just gotta be realistic about performance ability at this point.

 

[WVELK]

I think this article is interesting regarding where you want to be based on your goals/hunts/endeavors:

Ideal Bodyweights for Mountain Athletes, Mountain Professionals and Tactical Athletes

By Rob Shaul For years I’ve answered questions from individual mountain and tactical athletes and/or given unsolicited advice on a target bodyweight based on height, but until now, I’ve never formalized these ideal bodyweight targets. Everything MTI does is focused on improving and/or maximizing...

mtntactical.com

I am definitely on the fatty side of these charts at 6'1" and 213 lbs.
The link didn't show this chart, and I am in no way "tactical", but 190 seems like a more comfortable weight for me. I felt the best when I was around that weight and focused on single leg strength and muscle endurance.

View attachment 1088202

I am LMAO at this entire thread. Someone one said he was the least muscular person on the thread. At 59 years old, I am going to challenge for the top spot. As for this chart, I am 6’ and 175 pounds so I should be able to just run up those mountains on both of my 2026 sheep hunts - not. I agree with someone who said once you leave flat ground weight is weight. The more of you have of it, the bigger the problem. But, I follow one rule here and I do prepare as much as I can for hunts. But, at the end of the day it is not the size of the dog in the fight, it is the size of the fight in the dog that counts. On two occasions, I have been on hunts with guys who “looked” like not human could be more fit. Neither one of them had enough fight in them to do $_it in the mountains. Each went on one and only one mountain hunt. No one is going to think I am eye candy on the beach, but I tell you what I still have enough fight in the dog to keep going.

 

[RocketRob16]

I'm currently training for a late October elk hunt. One thing I have noticed is that if you spend substantially more time on weights and less time on cardio, you're going to have a tougher time in the mountains. There's definitely a balance there between body weight, functional strength, and endurance. I've focused on mostly weightlifting since last September. After I drew my tag I started putting more cardio into my regimen to prepare. Quickly realized I could barely run a mile anymore. 6'2" 200 lbs, ex-distance runner for reference. Never had much of an issue getting it done in the mountains at lower body weight and only hiking for training leading up to the hunt in the past.

 

[J.B.]

Focus on cardio and strength to weight ratio. I have been more focused on cardio this year, probably still not the level I should, but have still maintained good lift numbers. 1.9x body weight back squat, 2.3x deadlift. If you stay at the same bf % you will still look better than 99% of guys at the beach. This is doing cf style programming. Looking to switch up to endurance based training 2x a week, and powerlifting style strength 2x a week focusing on building one lift at a time. Give this a year and see how things go.

I have always struggled to gain weight, but do take joy in lifting heavier than guys much larger than myself lol.

And as stated above, its a mental game as much as anything. If you are too stubborn to quit you will outdo a fitter man with a weak mind.

 

[Coopsdaddy]

That chart is total bs just like bmi or military weight standards.
Get in shape and go kill shit.
155 or 225 don’t mater if your in shape.

 

[One300wsm]

Barney’s pinnacle pack. There is no competition for that thing. Ran loads over 200lbs before in those packs. I have five them them.

How does anyone back 200 pounds much less in the mountains ? That’s crazy weight. I wouldn’t want to piss you off, you would carry me off .

 

[Stud Duck]

That chart is total bs just like bmi or military weight standards.
Get in shape and go kill shit.
155 or 225 don’t mater if your in shape.

Bingo!

 

[Tanner]

Way too much to do being made in here and I’m constantly amazed by the vanity of the average man… get in very good shape for what you love to do and if the wife complains about you being leaner, big fuggin deal.

I’m 6 foot and walk around about 170 and have been down to low 160s after long sheep hunts. I haven’t been out walked or out packed yet…

 

[ianpadron]

This is a fun thread. As a Exercise Science guy that no longer works in that field the most fun/reward I get is with my own training and helping buddies.

I was at my strongest in 2015 at 22 years old, weighed about 210 at 6'2"...MAYBE 10% BF, all natty. I remember pulling 315 for sets of 20 just for shits...then knocking out 15 dead hangs...it was insane

That year I moved to WA and started dating my now wife, who was built like a spaghetti noodle but had grown up hiking/running. 2nd date we went on a "hike" up this old goat path on the I90 corridor in WA state and I had fire in my lungs from about mile 2 onward...could not believe how hard it was while she was basically floating up the mountain.

For a competitive guy with advanced knowledge in strength/conditioning, to the drawing board I went....

Didn't change a thing aside from adding a bunch of hiking and walking, mostly with a pack. Good natural way to hit lots of Zone 2 volume with natural intervals into higher zones to add work capacity and mitochondrial density. Nothing fancy.

By the following Spring I could maintain 2.8-3mph basically indefinitely with 50 pounds on my back in any terrain.

11 years later and I still hover around 210-215, lift 4-5 days a week, walk 5-6 miles every day, and shoot for 1 big day a week year-round hiking, skinning, climbing, biking, etc.

I've moved away from the "get big/strong or die trying" approach due to recurring injuries and focus more on strength+mobility.

Lots of compound lifts, but no jaw dropping weights in years.

Takeaway lesson is that the best way to be in mountain shape is to practice specificity. Hike, run, rucking, climb, etc. Do a lot of it at low to moderate intensity. You're not going to waste away and look like a marathon runner, and if your woman doesn't like the body that approach produces you might want to reevaluate your mate selection