*zap*
WKR
Eight sets of ass to grass squats last evening, 8 to 3 rep range. Finished out with 3 sets standing calf raises and 3 sets seated calf raises......8 reps per set.
I thought the high rep stuff would help me for elk hunting, but I find myself not really progressing like I do with lower rep ranges. As long as you are getting stronger, shouldn’t you be better with the lighter stuff than you were before you started lifting?
Squats are King...
I'm a big believer in the Stronglifts 5x5 system where you incrementally increase the weight with each workout. You start at lower weight to develop form, but get strong massively fast. There's an app to help guide the program making it a no brainier.
For mountain hunting shape, I'd stay light and lots of reps, generally speaking. Think 3-6 sets of 12-16 reps. Always do a rep range, so you don't get to a number and quit. You want to be pushing to failure, just make sure you're using safety bars or straps. And like *zap* said, make sure you are dropping all the way down.What amount of weight and sets do you think is good to stay in general mountain hunting shape, from a legs perspective?
I am 41 yrs old, weigh 200# and am 5'11". Last year in preparation for my first sheep hunt I regularly did 2 sets of 135# (one plate on each side), and then did a last set of 185#, and did fine on my sheep hunt, but could have been stronger. Now I am doing sets of #185 to start out. Is this OK or should I be going for 2 plates on either side?
Until it comes time to pack out a big bull, then they are the guys handling 100 pound packs for miles without complaining. And I'm the skinny legged guy so maybe I'm just jealous.Dudes with big quads have generally suffered in the high country in my experience. It’s cool to lift big weight, but it’s rough when your legs and lungs are trying to compete for the same oxygen at 10k when you’re used to sea level.
Until it comes time to pack out a big bull, then they are the guys handling 100 pound packs for miles without complaining. And I'm the skinny legged guy so maybe I'm just jealous.
If you think having large leg muscles is a detriment when hunting, you're not reading the right studies. When it comes to hiking steep terrain,especially with heavy loads, mass is a big positive. Any big guys struggling in the mountains may have neglected cardio pre hunt
Lifting weights doesn't make you strong.Only time I ever got hurt with squat was “too much too soon”.
I’m not talking about too much weight on the rack. I’m talking about recovery between big workout days and big sets.
Squat, if do it in the wrong time frame, frame of mind, or health (overtraining), will put you horizontal for a bit.
This isn’t squats fault.
I absolutely love your posts Poser. Sure they are long winded, but they provided a solid explanation to the topic. You’re absolutely right, the last dude I hunted with was a gym rat, plenty strong but a five mile day in the hills around our neck of the woods broke him off. Our four day hunt turned into a one day hunt.
There’s more to being in shape to hunt than just hitting the gym, but that’s just my opinion. I rarely go to the gym, I would rather be in the mountains. I also understand that you work with what you got, not everyone lives in the mountains.
I would invite you to take a look at the sherpas that climb Everest, they carry some incredible loads way higher than we ever will and I’m pretty sure they don’t do shit for squats in any sort of gym.
I agree with this 100%. The best way to get better at any activity is to do said activity. But hiking 20k foot mountains with 80 pound loads isn’t practical for most people. So the gym is one of the next best things done properly.I absolutely love your posts Poser. Sure they are long winded, but they provided a solid explanation to the topic. You’re absolutely right, the last dude I hunted with was a gym rat, plenty strong but a five mile day in the hills around our neck of the woods broke him off. Our four day hunt turned into a one day hunt.
There’s more to being in shape to hunt than just hitting the gym, but that’s just my opinion. I rarely go to the gym, I would rather be in the mountains. I also understand that you work with what you got, not everyone lives in the mountains.
I would invite you to take a look at the sherpas that climb Everest, they carry some incredible loads way higher than we ever will and I’m pretty sure they don’t do shit for squats in any sort of gym.