General Fitness Preparation vs CrossFit

[awcopeland]

If you live in a mountain town and are training at a CrossFit gym you are headed down the wrong direction.

Please elaborate? I live at 9k' and do CrossFit (usually ~4k' MSL, sometimes in the garage). I literally get the best of both worlds training at a lower altitude, therefore higher intensity (intensity drives adaptation), and recovering at higher altitude.

CrossFit is very focused on anaerobic and lactic acid (less than 3 minutes) training not aerobic training of which hunting is 99.99% aerobic.

Not completely true, but mostly true on the focus of the majority of CrossFit workouts. However, interestingly enough, anaerobic activity increases aerobic capacity. The opposite is not true.

I’d much rather take a 2:45 marathoner into the mountains than local CrossFit gym burpee champion. The runners have a much bigger aerobic capacity and a much better power to weight ratio.

I feel like this is spoken with sarcasm or in jest. If you're serious about this I think we're underestimating the toll that uneven terrain takes on the lower body. I don't think pavement running translates very well to off trail movement under load.


I also don't think that it's completely fair for people to compare hunting with mountaineering or ultras. None of these other activities have the goal of coming out with a heavier load than they started with.

I fully understand that CF lacks the specificity to "optimize", however where it does shine is teaching you to learn new things and being ready for what you can't control. My $.02.

 

[Kurts86]

Please elaborate? I live at 9k' and do CrossFit (usually ~4k' MSL, sometimes in the garage). I literally get the best of both worlds training at a lower altitude, therefore higher intensity (intensity drives adaptation), and recovering at higher altitude.

Because if you have access to mountainous terrain and your goal is to be faster and efficient in the mountains you should be spending 90% of your time doing that. Cross fit is a less efficient use of that workout time than hiking, rucking or running around in the mountains. It’s 100% the principle of specificity. If you have 20 hours a week to burn on workouts CrossFit probably makes sense but if you have 3-5 hours a week it makes less sense.

Not completely true, but mostly true on the focus of the majority of CrossFit workouts. However, interestingly enough, anaerobic activity increases aerobic capacity. The opposite is not true.

When is anaerobic exertion needed during hunting? Hunting is 99% aerobic so why not focus 99% percent of effort training that area instead of 10%. Running 1,000 meter repeats at aerobic threshold is a better use of time for aerobic training.

I feel like this is spoken with sarcasm or in jest. If you're serious about this I think we're underestimating the toll that uneven terrain takes on the lower body. I don't think pavement running translates very well to off trail movement under load.

I also don't think that it's completely fair for people to compare hunting with mountaineering or ultras. None of these other activities have the goal of coming out with a heavier load than they started with.

No serious runner I ever trained with just trained on pavement. We were running grass and trails at most any point that it made sense logistically because it was lower impact and just more interesting.

I’m very aware what off trail movement under load feels like and I did specifically point out that lateral movement can be a weakness for runners and it’s a much bigger weakness for cyclists. That said guys running 70 miles a week tend to have pretty decent lower leg strength.

I am 100% serious I would take the faster runner over the local cross fit hero especially coming from sea level to 11,000’. I’ve seen it enough that people think somehow the guy who can bench more will carry a backpack better. Nothing says the runner can’t limit their pack weight to 75 lbs and take another trip for meat. Most western hunts are ruined on fitness long before an animal hits the ground and I’d rather take the guy who goes further and takes 1/5 of an elk per load than 1/3.

 

[awcopeland]

Because if you have access to mountainous terrain and your goal is to be faster and efficient in the mountains you should be spending 90% of your time doing that. Cross fit is a less efficient use of that workout time than hiking, rucking or running around in the mountains. It’s 100% the principle of specificity. If you have 20 hours a week to burn on workouts CrossFit probably makes sense but if you have 3-5 hours a week it makes less sense.

I should clarify, that CF is not my only activity. For example, I cut, split, and stack ~5 cords of wood a year from USFS land. Having the capacity to cut a downed tree and load sometimes 20"+ rounds into the bed of a truck requires the ability to know how to correctly deadlift though. I also hike pretty regularly with the family, which for now often ends up in me carrying one of the 2 kids. Last year in the spring I carried my daughter 1.5 miles back to the truck asleep in a front carry position with no issue do to core strength that I can't imagine a long distance runner would have. Typically, my workouts, including a warm up get me in and out of the gym in 45-75 minutes. I'd call that more efficient than a bunch of zone 2 training.

I understand the principal of specificity, but where do you believe the role of strength training comes into play?

Loading meat into your pack and getting that pack safely off the ground and onto your back is very much anaerobic.

I'm not saying that CF is the only way to get a result, nor am I trying to sell it as the best way to increase performance day after day in the mountains, but it has served me well for giving me the ability at 35 to continue doing pretty much anything that I desire to do or am required to do without really wondering if it's smart or not. I understand my capabilities for a large swath of activities. But I think that most people that poo poo on CF have no real understanding of the methodology of the program, only what they see on TV (mostly the Games, which isn't CF. The Games are the sport of CF. 2 wildly different things) or on Youtube (people doing stuff way outside of their true capacity). CF's priorities are safety, efficacy, and efficiency.

I'm also not trying to create argument. I recognize there are different ways to achieve the same result. CrossFit is a GPP program. Hunters don't just hunt, they might have to repair a flat tire, get a truck unstuck, help an injured individual. My point is that there is a place for strength training of some sort.

I'll stand by my opinion of do something that you enjoy and be consistent and you'll be better off than you were.

 

[chizelhead]

One thing to consider with CrossFit is that the risk of injury can be relatively high, especially if you're not careful. It can be a great workout if it works for you—I did it for years, but I no longer do. Now, I lift 4 times a week, focus on Zone 2 training through walking and cycling, and ruck.

In my experience, the risk in CrossFit comes when you're pushing for more reps within a short period of time, which can lead to sacrificing proper form. This increases the chance of injury. A key factor is that you're usually on your own to monitor your technique, as there's no one constantly watching you to ensure you're maintaining form. This can be particularly risky for beginners who are still learning the movements and the pace.

CrossFit gyms can vary in quality as well. The standards for opening a CrossFit gym aren't very high, so the emphasis on safety and proper coaching can differ from one location to another.

With the holidays winding down, many CrossFit gyms will be starting boot camps, which are typically designed to introduce newcomers to bodyweight movements and basic lifts. These programs can be a great way to see if CrossFit—and a particular gym—might be a good fit for you.

 

[strattonje2020]

I should clarify, that CF is not my only activity. For example, I cut, split, and stack ~5 cords of wood a year from USFS land. Having the capacity to cut a downed tree and load sometimes 20"+ rounds into the bed of a truck requires the ability to know how to correctly deadlift though. I also hike pretty regularly with the family, which for now often ends up in me carrying one of the 2 kids. Last year in the spring I carried my daughter 1.5 miles back to the truck asleep in a front carry position with no issue do to core strength that I can't imagine a long distance runner would have. Typically, my workouts, including a warm up get me in and out of the gym in 45-75 minutes. I'd call that more efficient than a bunch of zone 2 training.

I understand the principal of specificity, but where do you believe the role of strength training comes into play?

Loading meat into your pack and getting that pack safely off the ground and onto your back is very much anaerobic.

I'm not saying that CF is the only way to get a result, nor am I trying to sell it as the best way to increase performance day after day in the mountains, but it has served me well for giving me the ability at 35 to continue doing pretty much anything that I desire to do or am required to do without really wondering if it's smart or not. I understand my capabilities for a large swath of activities. But I think that most people that poo poo on CF have no real understanding of the methodology of the program, only what they see on TV (mostly the Games, which isn't CF. The Games are the sport of CF. 2 wildly different things) or on Youtube (people doing stuff way outside of their true capacity). CF's priorities are safety, efficacy, and efficiency.

I'm also not trying to create argument. I recognize there are different ways to achieve the same result. CrossFit is a GPP program. Hunters don't just hunt, they might have to repair a flat tire, get a truck unstuck, help an injured individual. My point is that there is a place for strength training of some sort.

I'll stand by my opinion of do something that you enjoy and be consistent and you'll be better off than you were.

This is why everyone hates crossfitter's and their cult mind set lol/jk ( I go to CrossFit 5-6 days week. I know zone 2 is better for me in mountains but I can CrossFit 300+ days a year and only hunt 10. So I do what makes my majority more fun.)

I cant recall what this thread was about anymore, but in the end zone 2/zone 2 underload for muscular endurance will always be the greatest bang for your buck in regards to mountain hunting.

I listened to a podcast with rich froning and coming out of the games he mentioned hunting elk in nw montana was the hardest thing he had done.( NW Montana (trout creek) is probably the narliest elk country in the lower 48 imo) It triggered him to train endurance in his bike races and creating a more endurance based crossfit style programming called mayhem hunt or something like that.

all said and done. Now that I'm 34 I'm switching to more hybrid training such as GPP without gymnastics and things that potentially tweak muscles or joints.

 

[Kurts86]

Typically, my workouts, including a warm up get me in and out of the gym in 45-75 minutes. I'd call that more efficient than a bunch of zone 2 training.

I don’t think you understand the type of running I’m talking about. Really only long runs are going to zone 2 type work running and most is going to be higher effort than that. 75% of weekly volume is going to be 3-4 range. The pace variation on these workouts is often 2 minutes per mile faster on an interval day than a recovery or long run type day. I can’t think of a more time efficient workout than a 30 minute run cover more than 4 miles.

I also hike pretty regularly with the family, which for now often ends up in me carrying one of the 2 kids. Last year in the spring I carried my daughter 1.5 miles back to the truck asleep in a front carry position with no issue do to core strength that I can't imagine a long distance runner would have.

I understand the principal of specificity, but where do you believe the role of strength training comes into play?

Loading meat into your pack and getting that pack safely off the ground and onto your back is very much anaerobic.

I’ve carry and kids around with no issue coming from a running background. Myself and my running friends did a 340 mile canoe race with our runner arms and core strength.

I think lower body strength training is mostly unnecessary for runners and cyclists outside of injury prevention. I think weighted step ups are probably the only lower body strength exercises that backcountry hunters who are endurance athletes really need to focus on.

Core and upper body strength are something I think runners need to do 1-2/ days week as maintenance more than anything. In general serious runners tend to have more strength for their weight than they look like especially with regard to endurance lifting and low body fat %. I think it’s more important as people age but I don’t think any active 30 year old guy needs to lift heavy weights to be able to be able to go backcountry hunting. It can be helpful to build muscles mass and up metabolism to get lighter before you get into the mountains. Quite honestly there are not a lot of upper body strength demands on a backcountry big game hunter. I would say upper body strength comes is more to play when I’m on public land duck hunts and I’m wrestling boats, blinds and decoys under time stress. Quartering an elk is probably the best argument for explosive upper body strength but it’s also a task where you can use pulleys, mechanical advantage and just cut things into more smaller pieces. In general that sentiment can be applied to most any task in hunting or life. Know your limits and approach a problem in a smart way.

I don’t have a problem with CrossFit but it is not optimized to focus on full body anaerobic and lactic acid energy systems when the problem is 99% lower body aerobic by nature.

 

[awcopeland]

One thing to consider with CrossFit is that the risk of injury can be relatively high, especially if you're not careful. It can be a great workout if it works for you—I did it for years, but I no longer do. Now, I lift 4 times a week, focus on Zone 2 training through walking and cycling, and ruck.

In my experience, the risk in CrossFit comes when you're pushing for more reps within a short period of time, which can lead to sacrificing proper form. This increases the chance of injury. A key factor is that you're usually on your own to monitor your technique, as there's no one constantly watching you to ensure you're maintaining form. This can be particularly risky for beginners who are still learning the movements and the pace.

CrossFit gyms can vary in quality as well. The standards for opening a CrossFit gym aren't very high, so the emphasis on safety and proper coaching can differ from one location to another.

With the holidays winding down, many CrossFit gyms will be starting boot camps, which are typically designed to introduce newcomers to bodyweight movements and basic lifts. These programs can be a great way to see if CrossFit—and a particular gym—might be a good fit for you.

Risk to injury has a direct correlation to ego. Many runners get hurt from too much volume too quickly. Lifters get hurt ego lifting. Crossfitters get hurt when they don't have a coach or the know how to scale a workout. If the goal is zero risk, then don't work out.

The barrier to entry for me to open up a gym without CrossFit affiliation is less so than that of one with an affiliation. I can easily obtain a personal training certificate online and go file the correct paperwork with the municipality that I want to start a business. Not to mention a year or two ago the barrier to opening up a CrossFit gym with HQ got tougher, especially in the US. I do agree that not all coaches are created equal, but this argument goes for every profession and workout routine, from the NFL to CrossFit to your local globo-gym personal trainer.

We're on the same page here. It just comes down to your risk tolerance and knowing your true capabilities as well as knowing how to balance movement integrity with intensity.

 

[awcopeland]

I don’t think you understand the type of running I’m talking about. Really only long runs are going to zone 2 type work running and most is going to be higher effort than that. 75% of weekly volume is going to be 3-4 range. The pace variation on these workouts is often 2 minutes per mile faster on an interval day than a recovery or long run type day. I can’t think of a more time efficient workout than a 30 minute run cover more than 4 miles.


I’ve carry and kids around with no issue coming from a running background. Myself and my running friends did a 340 mile canoe race with our runner arms and core strength.

I think lower body strength training is mostly unnecessary for runners and cyclists outside of injury prevention. I think weighted step ups are probably the only lower body strength exercises that backcountry hunters who are endurance athletes really need to focus on.

Core and upper body strength are something I think runners need to do 1-2/ days week as maintenance more than anything. In general serious runners tend to have more strength for their weight than they look like especially with regard to endurance lifting and low body fat %. I think it’s more important as people age but I don’t think any active 30 year old guy needs to lift heavy weights to be able to be able to go backcountry hunting. It can be helpful to build muscles mass and up metabolism to get lighter before you get into the mountains. Quite honestly there are not a lot of upper body strength demands on a backcountry big game hunter. I would say upper body strength comes is more to play when I’m on public land duck hunts and I’m wrestling boats, blinds and decoys under time stress. Quartering an elk is probably the best argument for explosive upper body strength but it’s also a task where you can use pulleys, mechanical advantage and just cut things into more smaller pieces. In general that sentiment can be applied to most any task in hunting or life. Know your limits and approach a problem in a smart way.

I don’t have a problem with CrossFit but it is not optimized to focus on full body anaerobic and lactic acid energy systems when the problem is 99% lower body aerobic by nature.

Kurt, it sounds to me that your runs are very intense and probably yield quite a bit more of a professional sprinter's physique, is that accurate? Most of the runners that I know that run long distances I would be willing to bet would have quite a struggle with flipping a half quartered elk over in the field solo because they tend to be frail.

I think it's important to put on muscle and increase bone density at a young age (<40) because as men age, it only become more difficult to do both of those things. I'm not saying that one should aim to be so bulky that it becomes cumbersome, there is definitely an optimal weight range for each individual.

 

[awcopeland]

This is why everyone hates crossfitter's and their cult mind set lol/jk ( I go to CrossFit 5-6 days week. I know zone 2 is better for me in mountains but I can CrossFit 300+ days a year and only hunt 10. So I do what makes my majority more fun.)

I cant recall what this thread was about anymore, but in the end zone 2/zone 2 underload for muscular endurance will always be the greatest bang for your buck in regards to mountain hunting.

I listened to a podcast with rich froning and coming out of the games he mentioned hunting elk in nw montana was the hardest thing he had done.( NW Montana (trout creek) is probably the narliest elk country in the lower 48 imo) It triggered him to train endurance in his bike races and creating a more endurance based crossfit style programming called mayhem hunt or something like that.

all said and done. Now that I'm 34 I'm switching to more hybrid training such as GPP without gymnastics and things that potentially tweak muscles or joints.

The OP was basically asking what he should do to prepare himself for the fall. I'd be interested to see what the OP did as far as training and whether or not they thought it was helpful, and where they would change things up.

I tried MTN Tough at the begging of last year and I started with their pre-season strength program. I complete 4ish weeks of it and found that it was extremely boring and that the workouts generally took me 90 minutes or more to complete. I just don't have that time to spend at the gym on a regular basis due to work.

I do think that what they offer is good stuff and is effective. I know a few guys that do it and they are extremely capable in the mountains. I just didn't enjoy it. And if you don't enjoy something, you're not likely to do it. So I went back to CrossFit Linchpin programming. I like it and while it isn't optimal for back country hunting per se, it's something that I'll actually do and I still hit PRs on things somewhat regularly, so I know that it works (for me).

 

[strattonje2020]

The OP was basically asking what he should do to prepare himself for the fall. I'd be interested to see what the OP did as far as training and whether or not they thought it was helpful, and where they would change things up.

I tried MTN Tough at the begging of last year and I started with their pre-season strength program. I complete 4ish weeks of it and found that it was extremely boring and that the workouts generally took me 90 minutes or more to complete. I just don't have that time to spend at the gym on a regular basis due to work.

I do think that what they offer is good stuff and is effective. I know a few guys that do it and they are extremely capable in the mountains. I just didn't enjoy it. And if you don't enjoy something, you're not likely to do it. So I went back to CrossFit Linchpin programming. I like it and while it isn't optimal for back country hunting per se, it's something that I'll actually do and I still hit PRs on things somewhat regularly, so I know that it works (for me).

Ya I agree on mtntough, i want to love them and Im sure they are successful, but it seems like each year everybody has to create more “state of the art” gimmicky program.

A large aerobic base, grit, farm boy strength will take you further than any programming in regards to hunting.

 

[Kurts86]

Kurt, it sounds to me that your runs are very intense and probably yield quite a bit more of a professional sprinter's physique, is that accurate? Most of the runners that I know that run long distances I would be willing to bet would have quite a struggle with flipping a half quartered elk over in the field solo because they tend to be frail.

No I look like a normal scrawny upper bodied distance runner and I have flipped a bull elk over solo.

 

[Shane]

MTNTough is great. They have lots of different programs, so you can find something that fits your fitness level. Crossfit, especially if you are a competitive person, is a good way to end up with an injury. It's a great way to get in great shape, but if you don't focus on proper form, you're likely to end up injured.

MTNTough's Heavy Pack 2.0 is the best prep for mountain hunting that I've done.

 

[awcopeland]

MTNTough is great. They have lots of different programs, so you can find something that fits your fitness level. Crossfit, especially if you are a competitive person, is a good way to end up with an injury. It's a great way to get in great shape, but if you don't focus on proper form, you're likely to end up injured.

MTNTough's Heavy Pack 2.0 is the best prep for mountain hunting that I've done.

You can get injured doing literally anything. Ego and ignorance are direct correlates to injury. CrossFit itself does not have any higher rate of injury https://www.crossfit.com/battles/major-victory-for-crossfit-judge-orders-terminating-and-massive-monetary-sanctions-against-the-nsca

I doubt anyone will read it but basically the NSCA was found guilty of straight up fabricating the idea that CrossFit has higher injury rates and ordered to pay nearly $4M.

 

[Novahunter]

6 months of Kettlebells, plus eating really clean, and rucking 6 to 10 miles a week for the immediate 2 months before my hunt helped me lose 35lbs last year and prep for my elk hunt.

I went from the east coast to 9K ft elevation, kept up with the guide, and was quite happy with my physical ability during the hunt.

 

[Shane]

You can get injured doing literally anything. Ego and ignorance are direct correlates to injury. CrossFit itself does not have any higher rate of injury https://www.crossfit.com/battles/major-victory-for-crossfit-judge-orders-terminating-and-massive-monetary-sanctions-against-the-nsca

I doubt anyone will read it but basically the NSCA was found guilty of straight up fabricating the idea that CrossFit has higher injury rates and ordered to pay nearly $4M.

My personal experience was that I was always beat up, sore, and occasionally downright injured when I was doing Crossfit. That was 10 years ago. I'm 58 now, and I feel a lot better doing MTNTough than I did at 48 doing Crossfit. If you're in your 20s or 30s, you can probably get by with Crossfit a little better.

 

[chukwithak]

I think an important baseline is that if you want to be good at carrying loads around in the mountains the best thing to do is carry loads around in the mountains. It’s the principle of specificity taught in exercise physiology 101. I think the question gets a lot harder for guys who don’t live in the mountains. If you live in a mountain town and are training at a CrossFit gym you are headed down the wrong direction.

I laugh a little when people talk about CrossFit and endurance. CrossFit is very focused on anaerobic and lactic acid (less than 3 minutes) training not aerobic training of which hunting is 99.99% aerobic. Coming from a running and bike racing background they aren’t really close. Cross fit is running for the guys that would otherwise just be doing weight lifting. It’s football practice for adults not cross country practice. I think overall running is a better use of non specific training than cross fit but they are such separate groups and athletes that either done regularly will leave you much better than average. I’d much rather take a 2:45 marathoner into the mountains than local CrossFit gym burpee champion. The runners have a much bigger aerobic capacity and a much better power to weight ratio.

Crossfit creates accountability and that is its greatest value. It gets people to do something day in and day out which is 90% of the battle. It’s just not an efficient use of time if you are training to move weight around in the mountains.

Running isn’t totally without its issues, you definitely can get complacent with lateral movements, strength and flexibility. You definitely have to do some interval or faster run days or you can really plateau. The HIT aspect of CrossFit does have some value because I would argue a lot of recreational endurance athletes, especially those not training to race aren’t pushing themselves fast enough and are running the same pace and distance most days. The good high level runners vary their training and recovery pace quite significantly relative to the average jogger in your neighborhood.

Mountain biking, or really biking in general are worse than running for mountain prep besides the reduced risk of repetitive use injuries that running incurs. It isn’t weight bearing and the time commitment for the same fitness is 2x what running is. Most bike racing training focuses on going from 80% threshold effort to 5 to 30 second burst of speed to cover breaks, sprint and get over obstacles which makes it less applicable than running. Cycling is also worse than running at promoting leg stability, core and upper body strength. I will say cyclists are on the whole are a lot better than runners at learning to refuel because of the length of typical races/training which does apply to hunting but marathon and ultra runners definitely understand nutrition.

Crossfits focus is not anaerobic or lactic acid threshold. The focus is intensity. Meaning that that depending on the movement(s) for load, reps or duration, you can only hold an intensity for a particular period of time depending on the factors. They also find that "Intensity" is usually about 15 minutes. Crossfit also goes back to training GP classes and trying to get a warmup, a focused strength, and metabolic conditioning which most people know as the "WOD" all done in an hour. That's where Crossfit I believe fails at most gyms. It's not enough time to also teach the basics, forms, complex movements and the nitty gritty.

Again it's about the programming which varies and what you want to get out of it. I'm 45 years old. Been doing it for 17 years now and have not had a single crossfit injury. My routine is Pliability (used to be ROMWOD or yoga which takes about 15 minutes and I do it as I drink my coffee in the morning then a conditioning piece that is 2 movements and 30-40 minutes. Keep the heart rate in zone 2. In the Afternoon I do a strength session, maybe some gymnastics, and then a metcon. I try to turn all metcons into an EMOM style metcon. I cant always do it but at least 3 out of 5 workouts that week are EMOM style. I also incorporate a lot more sandbags in my works out in place of barbells too. The biggest thing I have learned over the years is that even in the metcons, where a heart rate monitor and watch your heart. You don't need to be red lining. If I'm in the 180's I can maintain, but I know I'm more efficient if I take a moment and drop to the high 160's loe 170's. Play with heart rate sections and find the area or "zone" in which you don't feel trashed after a workout. Not enough is talked about working out while watching your HR. Even the same workout can be performed as a "test" and if you are better conditioned you can perform better because your heart rate maintains a lower threshold.

If anyone is ever looking for an alternative to MTNtough but wants a more crossfit style workout, checkout out Mayhem Hunt. Rich Froning who was a multi games winner is a huge hunter and is heavily involved in the programming. Something different. I followed his Mayhem Compeitive Programming for a good long time. I would switch to hunt from my current programming if I could get the other portion of Hunt, but for me EMOMco is a great alternative.

I live at 50ft elevation. We hunt the Frank at 9k every year and every year I'm the most conditioned and the one the guys rely on for the heavy load and every year, I'm ready to go back out after we get the meat to the truck. It's proven it's worth for me and have no reason to change.

An example of one of the conditioning workouts was today piece.

32 min EMOM
Every 4 minutes (8 Rounds)
Run 400 metes
Remaining time = Sled push at a moderate weight.

HR was in the 140's the whole time. Ran a 7 min pace every 400. Sled had a150lbs on it. Just food for thought.

 

[awcopeland]

My personal experience was that I was always beat up, sore, and occasionally downright injured when I was doing Crossfit. That was 10 years ago. I'm 58 now, and I feel a lot better doing MTNTough than I did at 48 doing Crossfit. If you're in your 20s or 30s, you can probably get by with Crossfit a little better.

Copy. I follow Crossfit Linchpin programming. It's run by a guy named Pat Sherwood. He's probably most well known if you only loosely follow(ed) CrossFit for saying:

"The goal is to get fit, make it the best hour of your day, stay safe, turn up the music, high five some people, and blow off some steam. So, remember that. Relax. Have Fun. Work out."

I truly enjoy it because he takes the long term approach. It is more traditional CrossFit, not the stereotypical CrossFit that you encounter at (IMO) way too many affiliates that goes something along the lines of: heavy lift, then short MetCon nearly every day with no skill work days.

If you're happy with MTN Tough, get after it. I think what they have going on is neat. I just found when I tried out one of their programs that it took more time and I was extremely bored.

Here's a link to the programming that I follow if you or anyone else for that matter is interested in the slightest. I pay $60 every 6 months = $10/month. https://programs.btwb.com/linchpin/gym

 

[ItemB]

6 months of Kettlebells, plus eating really clean, and rucking 6 to 10 miles a week for the immediate 2 months before my hunt helped me lose 35lbs last year and prep for my elk hunt.

I went from the east coast to 9K ft elevation, kept up with the guide, and was quite happy with my physical ability during the hunt.

Any specific kettlebell exercises or program?

 

[Novahunter]

Any specific kettlebell exercises or program?

I signed up for Daily burn and did most of their KB routines. I liked the 10 to 30min workouts.