Gaining muscle for hunting?

[wstribling]

More muscle mass needs more oxygen- not a good thing for back country hunting. Go for Strength not mass and whatever muscle shows up is a bonus

 

[JakeSCH]

I'm the opposite, where I have been "naturally" stocky. For years I would have hiking routines starting in May / June for years adding weight to my back and lose weight. It would get my feet tough and strengthen my cardio but never felt like it was enough when in the hunt.

Last two years I do strength training 4 days a week mixed in with some running / hiking. Last year was noticeable difference packing out an elk out of the bottom of a basin. First time in my life that I was doing extra trips to make up for others and felt great doing so.

I do agree about high rep ranges / muscular endurance training starting a month or so before you go out. I was doing 225 back squats for 3 sets of 20 or put on 135 for a sets of 50. They absolutely suck but it made a world of difference. I also cut out sugar / alcohol / processed foods at the same time of muscular endurance.

 

[MDurham]

I'm the opposite, where I have been "naturally" stocky. For years I would have hiking routines starting in May / June for years adding weight to my back and lose weight. It would get my feet tough and strengthen my cardio but never felt like it was enough when in the hunt.

Last two years I do strength training 4 days a week mixed in with some running / hiking. Last year was noticeable difference packing out an elk out of the bottom of a basin. First time in my life that I was doing extra trips to make up for others and felt great doing so.

I do agree about high rep ranges / muscular endurance training starting a month or so before you go out. I was doing 225 back squats for 3 sets of 20 or put on 135 for a sets of 50. They absolutely suck but it made a world of difference. I also cut out sugar / alcohol / processed foods at the same time of muscular endurance.

What was your workout routine? I’m getting back into the gym and improving my diet, I really just want to have the type of strength you seemed to have gotten, plus having some chest and shoulders to make concealed carrying easier is a plus

 

[JakeSCH]

What was your workout routine? I’m getting back into the gym and improving my diet, I really just want to have the type of strength you seemed to have gotten, plus having some chest and shoulders to make concealed carrying easier is a plus

My workout routine changes every 4 weeks. I change phases from flexibility, to stability, to strength, to endurance, then back around. I pay a buddy who is a personal trainer to come up with my routine because I do not want to figure it out. Lol.

I have him program 4 workouts plus a HERO but I usually miss one or two.

 

[Block]

I’d say there’s definitely a happy medium. I’ve ranged from 190-225 (6’ ~9-13%BF) the past 3 years and right around 195-205 @10% I feel best in the mountains. My cardio suffers and my knees and lower back seem to feel that extra 20 lbs

 

[Miflatlander91]

I’d say there’s definitely a happy medium. I’ve ranged from 190-225 (6’ ~9-13%BF) the past 3 years and right around 195-205 @10% I feel best in the mountains. My cardio suffers and my knees and lower back seem to feel that extra 20 lbs

I think your spot on with the happy medium my weight will go up and down throughout the year but I seem to end up around 205 going into hunting season and that works best for me. Sure I’m stronger at 230 in early spring but I don’t think I’d have the lungs or even muscle endurance to do multiple days hiking in the mountains at that weight


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[Watrdawg]

I 60yrs old and 5'5" 165lbs and I'm down to 14% body fat. I do Crossfit 4 nights a week, a strength workout the other 3, ride my Mtn bike 20-25miles a week and then hike with a weighted vest 8-10 miles a week. Diet plays a big part of being able to maintain this workout regiment. No sugar or processed foods. Basically just meat, poultry, fish, pork, vegetables and fruit. I'm picky about the carbs also and I'm only taking in 50-75 grams of carbs a day. Protein is easily 1 gram to 1.5 grams per pound of body weight. I've been in the gym most of my life but this year is different. Changing my diet has made a huge difference. Last December I was at 193 and just barely getting through my workouts. I was only doing Crossfit and that wasn't fun. I decided to change my diet and dropped 30lbs pretty quick. Workouts are a breeze compared to previously and I'm recovering much quicker than before also. My workouts are vastly more productive! 90% of that is the change in diet. If I eat something that has a good bit of sugar or full of shitty carbs I get nauseous very quickly. Messes me up for hours. Gaining muscle/strength is a definite advantage.

 

[T-town]

I’m naturally a thin guy. In the last 6 months or so I’ve started doing some simple strength training. Have definitely gained strength, muscle mass, and weight.

I’m wondering if others who have done that have noticed any changes, positive or negative, for backcountry hunting. Strength in the legs, back, and shoulders seems like an obvious benefit, especially during the pack out. but I wonder if muscle elsewhere is superfluous mass in the mountains. This all assumes that one maintains their cardio fitness, of course.

I didn’t notice much this season, but I also didn’t push myself that hard this year.

Share your experience.

As many of the others have said, finding that physical sweet spot is the key. More strength is never a bad thing and the muscle gain/ hypertrophy will come quickly if you've never lifted or done strength training previously. I doubt you'd gain so much new muscle that it would hinder your cardio if you've always been "a thin guy".

Using a football analogy, I'd rather go in the mountains as a linebacker, fullback or tightend rather than a big lineman or thin receiver/ defensiveback.

 

[mtwarden]

Using a football analogy, I'd rather go in the mountains as a linebacker, fullback or tightend rather than a big lineman or thin receiver/ defensiveback.

DB’s these days aren’t that thin

 

[P Carter]

DB’s these days aren’t that thin

My thought exactly. I think a 6 foot, 200 pound freak athlete would do just fine…

 

[caseybratten]

Coming from the opposite end of the spectrum, right now I'm about 6' 250 and have always been stocky guy, even in the best shape of my life coming out of basic training I could run 8-10 miles but still weighed 210. Played football and power lifted growing up and have strength trained consistently since then. There have been very few situations, on or off the mountains, where I needed more strength, but a lot when my cardio was lacking. I find that staying in the weight room, but for shorter periods of time, allows me the time to ramp up cardio and flatland rucking. Weight training, even if just to build stabilizer muscles in knees hips shoulders and ankles, is a vital part in my opinion. Like everyone else has said a healthy mix of both is key, just remember if you build it you have to haul it.

 

[Poser]

While there are certain extreme examples of athletes at the highest level who need to sacrifice strength and even health for the sake of performance -this would be the realm of top marathoners, ultra racers, etc, there is no reality where the lifestyle hobby of hunting requires you to sacrifice strength, health and general well being for the sake of performance. With that in mind, the general population only stands to benefit from increased strength and your hunting experience also only stands to benefit from increased strength. To add to that, since hunting is inherently heavy, you need to be strong to deal with the weight.

Also, you should be strong because you're a grown-ass man and grown-ass men are strong.

 

[mxgsfmdpx]

I’ve been both “skinny/buff” 6’2” and 180 lbs and more “built/buff” at 230 lbs for hunting seasons.

When it comes to moving around in the mountains and packing out animals I MUCH prefer being “skinny buff”.

 

[mtwarden]

^ that's a wide gap in weight!

 

[3325]

All muscles are functional and anytime a muscle gets stronger it functions better.

I believe a person not using steroids with average genetics would be hard pressed to add superfluous muscle, even with a bodybuilding workout. The top bodybuilders are genetic freaks and on the juice. Natural Joe Average is unlikely to be able to grow guns so big that he will be in constant oxygen debt from packing the extra bicep around on a hike. Especially once he hits middle age. So curl away if you want to. It’s not the best use of your time if you are time pressed, but a mere extra inch on your arms is unlikely to impede your performance in the mountains.

Jack Lalanne had decent arms for his frame and he did some impressive endurance things.

Both Steve Reeves and Frank Zane could bust out a mile at five and change when they were in contest shape.

Muscle is hard to put on once you’re past middle age, much less too much muscle.

 

[TxxAgg]

Wow, some of you guys can make big weight shifts happen. That takes a lot discipline and diet.

I had pancakes for breakfast

 

[northernalpine]

#1 beneficial lift for hunting: Deadlifts

Why: Direct connection to strength of posterior chain (lower back to ankles) and core (lower back and abdominals).

Practical application: Anything involving a backpack, to include packout, will be easier. You will be less likely to sustain an injury (back, hips, knees) when bearing weight and moving in or around obstacles, aka hunting.

Side note: Being “jacked” or overly muscular is counterproductive, it takes more calories to move that mass around the hills.

 

[Watrdawg]

Agree with the deadlifts. Also Farmers Carry, weighted walking lunges and Kettle Bell swings.

 

[3325]

#1 beneficial lift for hunting: Deadlifts

I do the trap bar/hex bar variation. I’m not saying it’s the best, but I believe it’s probably best for me.

Side note: Being “jacked” or overly muscular is counterproductive, it takes more calories to move that mass around the hills.

This could be true, but I believe you would have to put on quite a bit of mass and Natural Joe Average is unlikely to be capable of it. It sort of depends on what your vision of jacked looks like.

Ronnie Coleman at one point was over 300 off season and in the high 200s on stage. That version of “jacked” has to be counterproductive.

But, for example, take a man 6’0” who weighs 175 and build him up to 200. As long as he’s still lean, he’s probably going to be better in the mountains under a load with the extra muscle. Even if he got some of it with “non-functional” isolation exercises.

 

[hamkyl16]

Skinny guys who just spend a lot of time out there with a heavy pack on will smoke a bloated gym bro in the mountains