Pre Safari Physical Training P.T.

[mikecatt13]

When will you be hunting with KMG? I will be there this May

June

 

[Backyardsniper]

Time is closing on for the hunt and I wanted to see if I was making progress toward where I wanted to be for the hunt. I decided I would go with the tried and true ruck march to see what I had. The army standard is 12 miles with 35lb in 3 hours or less. I managed 10 miles in 3 hours and 11 minutes with 40lb. Not bad, but still plenty of work to be done. I am headed to the gym now and I will retest the ruck again later. I'm hoping to be able to hit the standard again by June.
Check out the swelling on my hand from the ruck pack straps cutting off the circulation

 

[PARA45]

Besides the physical training, are you shooting off the sticks and practicing reloads, shooting again, etc?

 

[Backyardsniper]

Besides the physical training, are you shooting off the sticks and practicing reloads, shooting again, etc?

 

[Tundra Tiger]

Full disclosure: I did not read all 5 pages.

My hunt is in June. I found that, by and large, I was fine for my hunt in 2021, despite being somewhat fat and in my 50s. However - and YMMV - I found the hiking to be easy. We did as much as 8.5 miles in a single day, but hiking in Africa is easy-peasy - compared to Alaska, IMHO. Everything over here is squishy/tundra/sucks your soul with every step. So I thought Africa was easy.

Somewhat related but not... getting in shape. I am trying to get myself in better shape, period. For hunting, yes, but not specifically for my trip in June. I am actually more concerned about better shape for a mountain goat hunt in September.

Short version: this particular Tundra Tiger had a heart issue a decade ago and weighed 275 pounds (5'9"). I have dropped weight through the years (current: 195) and lowered my BP to normal ranges (it was in the stratosphere). The next part of the plan has always been to be in better shape. I have made several attempts in the past 3 years. This is a new one. On January 1 (yes, it was a resolution) I started a routine with weights and an exercise bike. I bought a bench and free weights to do this. I have ten different exercises I do with the bench and barbells/dumbbells. I have been adding to it while trying to stay smart and not injure myself. It takes me about 40 minutes to do. After, I do three miles on the bike at a high speed on one of the more resistant settings. I do this every other day. I made it through January without missing a day. Next up: February. I can already feel a difference. The main goal is just to be in better shape for hunting period - no specific hunt. So this is what I am doing. Not sure if that totally answers the question? I know this: @GAME 4 AFRICA SAFARIS is going to get a Tundra Tiger in a lot better shape than the one that went over in 2021.

To all who makes efforts to improve, the immortal words of Red Green come to mind: "I'm pulling for you. We're all in this together."

 

[Tundra Tiger]

And yes, what @PARA45 with reloads and shooting off sticks... Spot on!

 

[PARA45]

Well done @Tundra Tiger, and keep up that exercise routine.

When I went to Game 4 Africa last year, those mountains kicked my rear end, I was not used or expecting to see those mountains in S. Africa. BTW, it's so flat here in Georgia, anything besides flat is a mountain for us. LOL!! But I kept up with that human mountain goat name Wik. LOL!!!! However, I did cried uncle once. It was windy as h@ll, and we had been going at a fast pace, and I had to ask Wik for a break. LOL.

@Backyardsniper, that is a beautiful set up you have there. How often are you shooting? I practice (live ammo) once a week for about 8 months. I dry fired from the sticks and cycled the bolt about 3-4 times per week. It paid off at the end.

 

[Rare Breed]

Rowing machine is great and works 85% of the body and it would get one fit and trim. However, it is not resistance training and one would not get progressive overloads for strength and/or muscle growth from rowing alone. I use rowing for Zone 2 endurance and HIIT training (80/20 split). Weights for building up my lean muscle mass. There are many ways to get to one’s fitness goals. This combination seems to work for me so far.

Nutrition is actually even more important as one can not exercise away a bad diet. I keep track of my macros and calories on a daily basis.

I run operational marketing for the company that makes Atkins and Quest products. What we preach and have found that our consumers want is a health and wellness lifestyle not in a moment of time trying to lose weight only to go back to their old weight. Over the last two years I do the same exercise discipline that fits my life 52 weeks not a few months before an Africa trip. My nutrition as well. I do not diet but like Tanks I consider what goes into my body. The only difference is I take my 15 pound bar that more than resembles my rifle weight 6 months before my safari on every power walk I do including my mountain climbs otherwise my plan is consistent throughout the year

 

[Tundra Tiger]

Oscar... Recognizing it could come back to kick me in the arse, I still told Wik at the outset: Don't do anything special for me. Don't slow down. Do your thing and expect that I'm going to keep up. For the most part I think I held up my end of the bargain? However, maybe he went easy on me and didn't tell me? I don't know. I do know it didn't keep us from finding, stalking, and killing animals.

There was one hill that was tall and steep (it was MUCH steeper than it looks in the photo). He got to the top well ahead of me. He was laughing when I got to the top, something about walking the AK mountain man into the ground.

Sorry... didn't mean to hijack the original post.

 

[Tanks]

Little bit of cross training today...

 

[D-Orcutt]

Learn to hike hungover

 

[Backyardsniper]

Learn to hike hungover

That I can do!

 

[Jeff505]

60 degrees today in eastern Missouri, did a 4 mile hike. Time to start getting back in shape and loose a few pounds, back to Africa in June. Cutting down on the carbs as this picture shows, no potatoes.

 

[Backyardsniper]

60 degrees today in eastern Missouri, did a 4 mile hike. Time to start getting back in shape and loose a few pounds, back to Africa in June. Cutting down on the carbs as this picture shows, no potatoes. View attachment 515624

I hear ya man. I have been doing Keto for a month now and it is working well. I have a porterhouse on the grill right now. I'm down 11lbs since the DSC. I walked a half marathon today. My feet are very unhappy with me

 

[Flewis]

Hills and squats for me. Have a good hill behind my house and a mountain near the hotel on the west coast, 4 mile round trip.

 

[Jfet]

I like and have used the MtnTough programs for the last 4 years. The MTNTough training programs were instrumental for me to be able to get up the mountain, stay on the mountain, and get down the mountain when my son chased a Mid-Asian Ibex in Tajikistan this past December.
It was also instrumental last Sunday at church. I was standing in the foyer talking to friends when a blood chilling pterodactyl scream came from the far end of the church building. Everyone one turned, church security starting reaching for weapons, but I squatted down into a full squat. My 3 year old granddaughter was sprinting to me. She launched herself into my chest, I wrapped my arms around her, and I stood up. That is not bad strength and flexibility for a 58 year old.

I like MtnTough. They have really expanded the number and scope of programs. There is a program for all levels. You have to be ready! You don’t know when your PH will call and say I have a PAC elephant can you be here in two weeks. You also need to be able to get down on your grandkids level and then be able to get up.

 

[Tanks]

Got a little carried away in my fitness journey . Set this up last weekend, no more gym crowds. Combination of a power rack with a 320 lbs. functional trainer that also has a lat pulldown and row stations built in. 80 pound selectable dumbbells on the left.

 

[Rare Breed]

I thought I would throw this out there just for fun. One of the other forums I frequent has a section for "Physical Fitness for Mountain Hunting" where guys discuss thier various methods of getting in shape for an upcoming hunt. Thought it would be interesting to see what some of you guys do. I live in a pretty rural area in KY so I have a lot of freedom to do some things that would be more difficult to pull off in a more metropolitan area.
I do the normal gym stuff but for hunting trip prep my usual go to us the tried and true Ruck March. I strap up my pack with somewhere between 30 and 50lb and take off around the neighborhood. Sometimes I will carry my rifle but usually just the pack and do somewhere between 5 and 10 miles, mostly in the 5 to 7 mile range but occasionally longer.
Sprints at the rifle range is always a favorite, our range is 400yds long and has a gravel road down the middle so sometimes when I'm the only one there it gives me the opportunity to get creative with my shooting under stress drills.
What is some of your go to pre hunt P.T. routines?

I thought I would throw this out there just for fun. One of the other forums I frequent has a section for "Physical Fitness for Mountain Hunting" where guys discuss thier various methods of getting in shape for an upcoming hunt. Thought it would be interesting to see what some of you guys do. I live in a pretty rural area in KY so I have a lot of freedom to do some things that would be more difficult to pull off in a more metropolitan area.
I do the normal gym stuff but for hunting trip prep my usual go to us the tried and true Ruck March. I strap up my pack with somewhere between 30 and 50lb and take off around the neighborhood. Sometimes I will carry my rifle but usually just the pack and do somewhere between 5 and 10 miles, mostly in the 5 to 7 mile range but occasionally longer.
Sprints at the rifle range is always a favorite, our range is 400yds long and has a gravel road down the middle so sometimes when I'm the only one there it gives me the opportunity to get creative with my shooting under stress drills.
What is some of your go to pre hunt P.T. routines?

May I say after reading your start with rifle and regulation load work, to your PT work to your as close to the real thing as possible…you are ready!!! I wish you great success!!! After all the work your mental confidence which is so important should be sky high!!! Congratulations on your road traveled…it will pay off!!!

 

[Tra3]

I would love a steak right now!
I’ve been running 50+ miles a week in anticipation of a spring marathon. As I get older I need to think much more about recovery from exercise. I use a foam roller daily and sauna and stretch almost every day. Those recovery activities are crucial. I also try to go to bed when I’m tired (easier in the winter!)

I’m training today for an older me so the older me can still do stuff.

 

[MTA]

View attachment 517224

Got a little carried away in my fitness journey . Set this up last weekend, no more gym crowds. Combination of a power rack with a 320 lbs. functional trainer that also has a lat pulldown and row stations built in. 80 pound selectable dumbbells on the left.

Impressive. Which brand selectable dumbbells? I am looking into getting a set soon