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NEW HAT IN THE STORE
We've updated our Mountain Athlete Ball Cap design. See the store for a picture. We still have 3 Small/Medium and 6 Large/XL hats of the old design. Those are now $20 in the store.
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KUDOS
Rob
I wanted to drop you a quick note about your workouts. After contacting you about 12 weeks ago regarding my current fitness and goals, I purchased your 357 workout and completed it while over seas. I followed the program very closely and completed it just prior to redeploying. I felt much stronger and in better shape.
Upon return home, I entered a Tough Mudder in Jacksonville for 18 May and had 6 weeks to train. I purchased your Tough Mudder program and got right after it. Again, I followed it closely and tapered it just a tad at the end to not be worn out when I got down there Saturday morning.
At 43 I completed the race in 2:20 and felt pretty good. I completed every obstacle with ease. The heat started beating me up around mile 8 but I still had enough in the tank to finish strong.
I will be moving on to your Operator Sessions next week once I do some light recovery.
Your programs are great and I would have never been able to do as well without them. Hopefully, I can maybe get out there sometime to work out in the gym.
Thanks again
- M.
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I am just wrapping up the "Mountain Athlete for Crossfitters" program. I have added at least 10 pounds to all my standard lifts (front squat, hinge, squat clean...). And during the cycle I got rid of a nagging shoulder injury. I've had to scale back the stamina sessions because I just don't have the lungs. Awesome programming, I thoroughly enjoyed it...let me rephrase that, I enjoyed the results. Thanks
- T.
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QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
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QUESTION
Rob,
Do you offer opportunities for single time guests to train at your gym? I like using your website for workouts and will be in Wyoming in July. I would not describe myself as a professional or even on par with serious mountain athletes, but if it is possible to visit your gym for a single workout, I would be interested.
Thanks,
- S.
ANSWER
We have people stop by and train all the time S. Just punch me an email when you get in town and we'll work you into one of the sessions.
- Rob
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QUESTION
Hi Rob,
I just purchased your Peak Bagger plan and I have a couple questions regarding scheduling.
Background is that unlike the last couple summers where I've taken one big multi-week climbing trip that I could focus on, this year I'm trying to stay closer to home. Consequently I'll be doing the "weekend warrior" thing and trying to get after it most Saturdays and Sundays starting in July all summer long. Since most of the peaks I'm planning on climbing will require a long (usually between 9 and 24 hours) day to complete on minimal sleep, your peak bagger plan looks perfect to get me ready.
I'm planning on starting week 1 next Monday which should put me ready to crush come July. That said, I have a couple weekend climbing trips planned before July, and am wondering about the best way to squeeze them in? I think I'd need at least one full rest day before a big climbing weekend (maybe two given that your plan sounds intense), and I'm guessing that I should take another rest day after the weekend, do you agree (when I say climbing weekend I'm typically referring to between 5000-10000 feet of elevation gain, and not much sleep)? I suppose Sunday could be a rest day if the climb is only taking one day, but some may take two.
Anyway, if I need to add a few weekday rest days in to make weekend trips possible, do you think I should just skip a couple sessions, or would it be better to continue where I left off (so I might be doing Friday's workout on Monday, Monday's workout Tuesday, etc) and push everything back a day?
Also, any recommendation for what to do when I'm "in season"? I.e. how to maintain my gains midweek while still getting enough rest for the weekends.
Thanks and sorry for the long winded email.
Cheers,
- C.
ANSWER
For your trips before July - I'd recommend at least 1, and probably 2 rest days before the climb, then 1-2 rest days after. Don't skip ahead in the plan though, when you get back to training, start again where you left off. The plan is progressive - it gets harder as you work through it, and each session builds upon the previous session.
In-Season - in addition to the other training you may be doing, aim to maintain with step ups and leg blasters - a couple times a week. If you've got a steep, 800-1500 foot hill somewhere close, climb that a couple times/week - or hit the step ups - 1,000 at 25#, 2-3x/week. 1000x step ups should take you no more than 45 minutes.
- Rob
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MOUNTAIN ATHLETE IN OUTSIDE ONLINE
www.outsideonline.com/fitness/strength-and-power-training/The-14-Biggest-Weight-Training-Mistakes.html
www.outsideonline.com/fitness/Top-10-Fitness-Tips-for-Mountain-Athletes-20120719.html
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MOUNTAIN ATHLETE IN MEN'S JOURNAL
www.mensjournal.com/everything-you-know-about-fitness-is-a-lie/