Any Fitness Freaks Out There?

[Seabass]

Just curious if any body else in this hunting community is a fittnes freak like myself. I figured if there were they would most likely be elk hunters. I love to train when I'm not hunting and have found it to be invaluable to hunting from both a physical and mental aspect.

When I was a kid I never trained for hunting but I was an athelete and a kid and didn't really need it at the time. Now that I am in my late 30's I have to earn my fitness. My job is sedentary and outside of hunting and training I don't get what I call accidental excercise.

I have been crossfitting for the last 2 years and following the Train to Hunt website for the last year as well. It appears that most if not all "easy access" to good hunting ground is disappearing quickly. I used to complain about it but now I kind of get excited when I see a new gate at one of my old spots. In fact I am going back to some areas I abandoned years ago now that they are locked up to motorized vehicles.

What do you guys do in the off seaason to stay in shape?

[sebek556]

used to  be.. before 4 surgerys on one knee, shoulder surgery, and needing surgery on the other knee... now not so much

[400out]

I'm working on it! Kind of cool web site  Don't know if I will spend 30 bucks on it, but cool  I tend to just get out and work and get into the hills when I can! Most of the time I start thinking I should have worked harder but that only last for about a month 

[DBHAWTHORNE]

I hike in the mountains with a pack on my back often for work and leisure so hunting shape is never an issue since I get a lot of "accidental" excercise.

I wouldn't consider myself a "fitness freak" as I hate being in the gym longer than 30-45 minutes a few times a week. For this reason I ensure every work out I do is high intensity and outside the gym as often as possible.

I also try to not be lazy, I run stairs instead of going up an elevator, walk fast or even run places if possible when I am at work, etc.

Most importantly what I don't do is over eat. I don't worry as much about what exactly I eat as I do about not eating too much.

My experience with "easy access" has been different. The top Elk, Mule Deer, Moose and whitetail I have seen during hunting season in this state have all been within one mile of motorized roads.

[shanevg]

I CrossFit. No better workout to get in shape for hunting!

[Seabass]

I CrossFit. No better workout to get in shape for hunting!

Agreed! Outside of practice when I was playing sports I never enjoyed working out. In fact I hated it and hated gyms. I still hate the traditional gym but I can't imagine life without crossfit. In addition to getting you into phenomenal shape, the community of people is second to none. I have made life long friends through crossfit and when you meet a fellow crossfitter you instantly understand one another.

[101521]

I'd agree Crossfit is a good workout cardiovascular wise.  I've competed in their "games" and it's the typical go go go.  If you're looking lose fat and get "cut" it's not the workout for you.  I competed in college athletics and just like being in shape so I've done tons of different stuff and like DB said being in the gym longer than 45 mins is a waste...you're not working hard enough if you're there longer unless you're doing cardio with the lifting.  Then I could see being in there longer.  What are you looking to do physique wise?

[Seabass]

I'd agree Crossfit is a good workout cardiovascular wise.  I've competed in their "games" and it's the typical go go go.  If you're looking lose fat and get "cut" it's not the workout for you.  I competed in college athletics and just like being in shape so I've done tons of different stuff and like DB said being in the gym longer than 45 mins is a waste...you're not working hard enough if you're there longer unless you're doing cardio with the lifting.  Then I could see being in there longer.  What are you looking to do physique wise?

I respectfully disagree with some of what you said. Did you see the crossfit games on ESPN? Those dudes were "cut". I was 205 when I started and had about 16% body fat. I now weigh 200 and fluctuate between 8-10% body fat.

Most of the workouts are short by workout standards.I would say on average 15-20 minutes and occasionally longer but not often. Crossfit is also rooted in traditional weight lifting. By traditional I mean Olympic.

I don't think the motivation to workout should stem from appearance although most make it that. I also believe that is why most fail to stick with it. My only motivation to workout is performance driven. How much work can you get done in a given amount of time. How much meat can you pack for how long? How much ground can you cover in how much time?

I don't want to have to consider whether I can get on a bull that just bugled because it sounds a long way away. The fact that I have a six pack and fill out a t-shirt is coincidental.

[Seabass]

Any body incorporate swimming? Something I would like to add but don't swim worth a crap.

[EDT]

I'd agree Crossfit is a good workout cardiovascular wise.  I've competed in their "games" and it's the typical go go go.  If you're looking lose fat and get "cut" it's not the workout for you.  I competed in college athletics and just like being in shape so I've done tons of different stuff and like DB said being in the gym longer than 45 mins is a waste...you're not working hard enough if you're there longer unless you're doing cardio with the lifting.  Then I could see being in there longer.  What are you looking to do physique wise?

I respectfully disagree with some of what you said. Did you see the crossfit games on ESPN? Those dudes were "cut". I was 205 when I started and had about 16% body fat. I now weigh 200 and fluctuate between 8-10% body fat.

Most of the workouts are short by workout standards.I would say on average 15-20 minutes and occasionally longer but not often. Crossfit is also rooted in traditional weight lifting. By traditional I mean Olympic.

I don't think the motivation to workout should stem from appearance although most make it that. I also believe that is why most fail to stick with it. My only motivation to workout is performance driven. How much work can you get done in a given amount of time. How much meat can you pack for how long? How much ground can you cover in how much time?

I don't want to have to consider whether I can get on a bull that just bugled because it sounds a long way away. The fact that I have a six pack and fill out a t-shirt is coincidental.

I have to agree with Seabass.  Im a physical therapist and, clinically and scientifically, if you want to lose weight and get "cut,"  crossfit is great if you follow it.

[shanevg]

I'd agree Crossfit is a good workout cardiovascular wise.  I've competed in their "games" and it's the typical go go go.  If you're looking lose fat and get "cut" it's not the workout for you.  I competed in college athletics and just like being in shape so I've done tons of different stuff and like DB said being in the gym longer than 45 mins is a waste...you're not working hard enough if you're there longer unless you're doing cardio with the lifting.  Then I could see being in there longer.  What are you looking to do physique wise?

I respectfully disagree with some of what you said. Did you see the crossfit games on ESPN? Those dudes were "cut". I was 205 when I started and had about 16% body fat. I now weigh 200 and fluctuate between 8-10% body fat.

Most of the workouts are short by workout standards.I would say on average 15-20 minutes and occasionally longer but not often. Crossfit is also rooted in traditional weight lifting. By traditional I mean Olympic.

I don't think the motivation to workout should stem from appearance although most make it that. I also believe that is why most fail to stick with it. My only motivation to workout is performance driven. How much work can you get done in a given amount of time. How much meat can you pack for how long? How much ground can you cover in how much time?

I don't want to have to consider whether I can get on a bull that just bugled because it sounds a long way away. The fact that I have a six pack and fill out a t-shirt is coincidental.

 

I also agree with Seabass.  The whole point of CrossFit is total body fitness.  Every single day you do fundamental, Olympic style lifting in addition to a 4-30 minute cardio workout (definitely keeping to the 15 minutes or less more often than not.)  I can't think of any other workout you can do for an hour a day and reach the same total body fitness that CrossFit provides. 

Most the people at my CrossFit gym have lost anywhere from 40-120 pounds from CrossFit alone.  In my book it has proven a great way to stay fit in all aspect of the fitness game. 

[FarBeyondDriven]

Looks like folks are ditching the beach muscle training and elliptical for the 'ol high intensity crawl back to your car covered in sweat workouts... Tame Those Mountains!

[DBHAWTHORNE]

 

I think there is no better way to train for the mountains than to train "in" the mountains. I prefer doing that as much as possible and limit my time in a gym. I might not be able to do as many burpee's as a hardcore crossfit guy but I can't say that I have been found lacking at the activities I enjoy.

[44 Flattop]

I don't know if it qualifies me as a 'Fitness Freak', but I haven't missed a session with the iron for about 22 years now, and that is 4 times per week........!  Squat, bench, dead, militaries, chins, etc. 

The extra strength gained from iron makes a huge difference in handling a big quarter of an elk or an entire deer.  Almost 53 years old and I can still pack out an elk from a nice deep canyon  

Oh, and lots and lots of hiking.

44

[Bearhunter]

No but Id really like to get into it...