Im impressed!

[.257mag]

I've always been looking for different ways to train for upcoming hunts and I have to tell you that using my wifes elliptical was one of the best I've found.  After 30 minutes on that thing I felt like I just went on a 10 mile hike!  Ellipticals have had a reputation of being a "ladies" excercise but using it will definitely get you in shape this fall. 

[Yelper Guy]

OK, I'll admit it - I'm a closet elliptical guy! My wife got a nice one about a year ago and talked me into" trying it out". You're right about a workout, and cranking up the intensity of the friction will really get you breathing. This is how I'm getting ready for the spring turkey season.

[Houndhunter]

Heck of alot easier on the joints too, but im 23 so I run 

[vandeman17]

only thing about an elliptical is that the motion is not natural so while you do get a cardio workout in, it doesn't help your muscles. Basically your lungs will feel fine hiking up the mountain but your legs will be shot. I prefer to walk on a treadmill at the highest incline possible. Don't get me wrong, they are great if you have joint issues or just won't workout otherwise so I give you props for that, I just think there are better options. Not trying to put what you are doing down but if you want to get in good overall shape, the best way is to recreate what you will face in the hills. 

[jackmaster]

only thing about an elliptical is that the motion is not natural so while you do get a cardio workout in, it doesn't help your muscles. Basically your lungs will feel fine hiking up the mountain but your legs will be shot. I prefer to walk on a treadmill at the highest incline possible. Don't get me wrong, they are great if you have joint issues or just won't workout otherwise so I give you props for that, I just think there are better options. Not trying to put what you are doing down but if you want to get in good overall shape, the best way is to recreate what you will face in the hills. 

i dont see how that is because when your done on the elyptical your legs are smokin and so are your lungs, they build the whole leg without the impact, of course nothin will work as good as throwin on a 40 pound ruck and smokin up a hill everyday, but that rips up your joints, push ups, situps the elyptical and swimming a couple times a week will keep a guy in good enough shape without the impact to the joints 

[vandeman17]

only thing about an elliptical is that the motion is not natural so while you do get a cardio workout in, it doesn't help your muscles. Basically your lungs will feel fine hiking up the mountain but your legs will be shot. I prefer to walk on a treadmill at the highest incline possible. Don't get me wrong, they are great if you have joint issues or just won't workout otherwise so I give you props for that, I just think there are better options. Not trying to put what you are doing down but if you want to get in good overall shape, the best way is to recreate what you will face in the hills. 

i dont see how that is because when your done on the elyptical your legs are smokin and so are your lungs, they build the whole leg without the impact, of course nothin will work as good as throwin on a 40 pound ruck and smokin up a hill everyday, but that rips up your joints, push ups, situps the elyptical and swimming a couple times a week will keep a guy in good enough shape without the impact to the joints 

It is the unnatural motion of the machine mostly. You might feel it in your legs but they aren't the same muscles you use with normal walking. I have read numerous studies on them and this is what doctors have concluded. Again, I am not knocking the guy at all and commend him for working on getting in shape. Just bringing up what I have read since I think it is something to consider.

[jackmaster]

oh i gotcha  yeah nothin beats the real thing, but i bet the elyptical keeps some of those holiday pounds burned off, which we know makes it a little harder to haul that extra weight up the mountain, and for sure any excersise that involves cardio is good eitherway i wish i had the get up and go that i use to have.... google up the RANGER WORKOUTS, if your in good shape and want to be in the best shape for huntn season try those.... or that P90 x aint no joke either, talk about makin a grown man cry 

[Jonathan_S]

I will say this:

It is very important to make sure you are doing workouts that grow the muscles and the type of strength/endurance/stamina you want for hunting.  i.e. training for a marathon wouldn't be the best kind of workout before an Alaskan Sheep hunt.  Likewise, a powerlifting program wouldn't be the best choice before a long chukar season   

Two years ago I was training and racing 5ks all summer long.  I was in darn good shape and running low 16s in the 5000 which for me is good.  After about a week in the hills, I couldn't believe how bad my feet, ankles and hip flexors hurt.  I didn't have strength in the right places.  Endurance was perfect.  Not so much elsewhere.

[h2ofowlr]

I've always been looking for different ways to train for upcoming hunts and I have to tell you that using my wifes elliptical was one of the best I've found.  After 30 minutes on that thing I felt like I just went on a 10 mile hike!  Ellipticals have had a reputation of being a "ladies" excercise but using it will definitely get you in shape this fall.

It still carries that reputation.  Way to get after it Sally.     Next try the stair machine.  You will be looking for oxygen if you think the elliptical was tuff.

[vandeman17]

I will say this:

It is very important to make sure you are doing workouts that grow the muscles and the type of strength/endurance/stamina you want for hunting.  i.e. training for a marathon wouldn't be the best kind of workout before an Alaskan Sheep hunt.  Likewise, a powerlifting program wouldn't be the best choice before a long chukar season   

Two years ago I was training and racing 5ks all summer long.  I was in darn good shape and running low 16s in the 5000 which for me is good.  After about a week in the hills, I couldn't believe how bad my feet, ankles and hip flexors hurt.  I didn't have strength in the right places.  Endurance was perfect.  Not so much elsewhere.

Exactly the point I was trying to bring up. Elliptical has their uses but you will be surprised when forced to use muscle that weren't used. At the gym I rotate my cardio between treadmill, bike and rowing machine to try and hit different muscles all the time.

[.257mag]

I didnt mean to offend anyone by saying the E word.  Simply suggesting another form of cardio with a low impact workout.

[h2ofowlr]

I didnt mean to offend anyone by saying the E word.  Simply suggesting another form of cardio with a low impact workout.

I don't think you offended anyone.  Everyone just likes giving there two cents whether it makes any sense or not or even works for the next guy/gal.  Take it with a grain a salt and bust out the hip waders.  Kicking the can is a good forum activity.   

[Jonathan_S]

I didnt mean to offend anyone by saying the E word.  Simply suggesting another form of cardio with a low impact workout.

Haha, E Word indeed.  I'll never judge anyone using the "E" because otherwise karma might break my ankles and I'll have to use one instead of running   

[vandeman17]

I didnt mean to offend anyone by saying the E word.  Simply suggesting another form of cardio with a low impact workout.

Haha, E Word indeed.  I'll never judge anyone using the "E" because otherwise karma might break my ankles and I'll have to use one instead of running   

I didn't intend to bash the OP either because I have respect for anyone who exercises no matter what they do. I was just trying to give a different perspective in case he hits the woods this fall and feels like he is still really tired and wonders why

[.257mag]

By no means is this the only thing I do to get in shape for hunting season.  With that said I greatly appriviate everyone's input and suggestions.  I'm sure we can all agree being in shape increases your chances of success in the field

[Capt. Rob]

I use my wife's E word with my treadmill running and at max incline . Throw on a pack and try the treadmill on its steepest angle if you can't hit the hills. It's the next best thing for me

[fillthefreezer]

i prefer running hills and hikes with a weighted pack.
i feel that type of cardio and leg workout are most beneficial to me in the backcountry.

not bashing, as any excersize is better than not, but i dont feel the elliptical is very beneficial

[jackelope]

When it's pouring rain and I'm feeling lazy, the elliptical works great. 80 pound pack on full incline...get your heart rate up for at leastv 30 minutes...that's a hell of a lot better than nothing.

[whacker1]

mixing it up between bikes, eliptical and strong resistance, stride rite, stairmaster, treadmill and steep inclines, core excercises, and hiking when the weather gets nicer. 

That is a long week for sure.  throw in some winter colds and it really messes up your schedule.  All good stuff, just need to find more time to do more.

[barracuda163]

I'm sure those of you who have rode motorcross or even cooked down some tight trails will agree with me when I say that putting a leg over a dirtbike once a week and cover some ground is excellent conditioning for anything you'll want to do. Not the best for joints in the long run but definitely helps with every muscle group and cardio. As for the treadmill and elliptical, they seem to work for gathering dust.

[whacker1]

I'm sure those of you who have rode motorcross or even cooked down some tight trails will agree with me when I say that putting a leg over a dirtbike once a week and cover some ground is excellent conditioning for anything you'll want to do. Not the best for joints in the long run but definitely helps with every muscle group and cardio. As for the treadmill and elliptical, they seem to work for gathering dust.

yep, solid for the core among other things.  I have been snow skiing this winter, and cross country, and snowshoeing are also excellent.  again it is about finding/making time to do all of these things.

[grundy53]

I love the eliptical! Since I've started using one I have never felt like my legs weren't in shape while hiking/hunting...

sent from my typewriter

[wafisherman]

During my lunch breaks I plan to find stairs and hills close to my office, put on my pack, and do repetitive climbs and descents to ensure I'm working the up hill and down hill muscles, feet, ankles, etc.

[huntnnw]

I stair climb,run, interval running and use higher reps on leg days at the gym to get a cardio function and build muscle endurance.

[Come Get Some]

My brother and I have been going to the GYM at 5 am everyday. I tried the eliptical. Did not do it for me. I could not get my pulse much over 75. I am 6'-2" the Eliptical has too short of a range of motion and very un-natural for my stride. I run on the tread mill for 20 minutes at 8 miles per hour. Then go to the rowing machine, 2000 meters at 48 strokes per minute, 2000 meters in 8.5 minutes, then the bike, level 20 for 15 minutes, then the dreaded stair climber. This on really makes me sweat. 86pm's for 15 minutes. 100 floors in all. All of this without a rest or break.Then we go to the weights. I feel we get a great cardio workout for hunting. At 56 I need to stay up on it or it goes away fast. We camp at 7800' and hunt up to 11000. Air is very thin. We walk as much as 20-25 miles in a day. The legs can get very heavy at this alltitude.

[Wanttohuntmore]

E word when the weather is bad and 45 min hikes with a heavy pack when it's nice.  Keeping your joints active everyday is key.  Yeah, folks do not realize how much of a workout motocross is.  Used to kick my rear.   Though I have problems because of it, so I won't recommend it.  Snowboarding always helped some endurance as well.  I just need more time and $$$.

[Eli346]

 The elliptical trainer has been good for me. I had a neck fusion in December and it was my 'go to' rehab after I was out of the hospital on the third day. It's good for now but I can't wait to get out and do some running again.

[SilkOnTheDrySide]

Step 1: put weight in pack.
Step 2: find hill.
Step 3: go up hill with weight.
Step 4: repeat endlessly until hunting season.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[SCRUBS]

Step 1: put weight in pack.
Step 2: find hill.
Step 3: go up hill with weight.
Step 4: repeat endlessly until hunting season.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Good plan right there. This is the time to ramp it up...

[trophyhunt]

only thing about an elliptical is that the motion is not natural so while you do get a cardio workout in, it doesn't help your muscles. Basically your lungs will feel fine hiking up the mountain but your legs will be shot. I prefer to walk on a treadmill at the highest incline possible. Don't get me wrong, they are great if you have joint issues or just won't workout otherwise so I give you props for that, I just think there are better options. Not trying to put what you are doing down but if you want to get in good overall shape, the best way is to recreate what you will face in the hills. 

i also agree with your statement, I did the elliptical for most of the winter last year, then went for a real run.  I about died on the run, nothing is like the real thing.  Mt. Peak in enumclaw is the best way to get your entire body in shape!

[Atroxus]

I prefer elliptical machines too. Since my motorcycle accident my right foot/leg cant deal with impact from treadmills or jogging. If I could just convince my wife to let me get an elliptical and put it in our living room, I would work out more often. She doesn't want exercise equipment in our living room though and prefers treadmills to ellipticals.