Getting fit for bushcraft

[Lucyc]

I could see it being extremely difficult to roll with a bag.

Ha ha

I guess just lazy vaults and stuff like that would be ok - you just don't want to be caught off guard and catch your foot on something and fall on your face What I was thinking was the pack is quite likely to shift a bit as you make your vault, so shift your momentum or something.. Or get in the way
Also, every time you change your pack/move some stuff around in it, the weight of everything will be different and you'll have to acclimatize all over again.. Although then again I've never tried it intensively, so it could work

 

[Greg]

I forgot to mention, Circiut training was a big part of the build up aswell - hours & hours of it!

 

[Minotaur]

Think this is the new version of my favorite fitness book.

The Marine Corps Basic Training Workout

This is interesting because it has a lot of the English army fitness tests from basic upto the SAS.

Fighting Fit: SAS Fitness Guide

This is the cardio workout I would use, with the 300 10 exercise workout, but boy do you have to be fit.


Navy Seal Workout: The Complete Total-body Fitness Program

It is also worth looking at some of the 300/Spartan workouts that have come out.

Something to remember running does not prepare you for walking, you use different muscles so you have to do both.

I would like to be a hell of a lot fitter, but one of the things I find interesting is the distances lightweight hikers talk about covering in comfort, and paying attention to the scenery. It would be very interesting to take someone SEAL/SAS/SBS/Marine fit and see what sort of distances they could cover with basic/stripped down kit.

Something else to take on board, like proffesional atheletes a top of the line special forces soldier is going to devote a lot of time and effort to keep his major tool in shape, the SAS fitness book points this out or read Ryans bio. It takes a lot of time, and requires a lot of up keep to be that fit.

 

[Tengu]

Plus it will make you look like Sport Billy.....

 

[Tiley]

Without wishing to be fatuous, the best way to get fit for bushcraft is to do bushcraft. Lots of tabbing up hills and down dales may well be a huge boon to your general fitness and, I must add, thoroughly enjoyable but using a knife, saw or axe for long periods and safely requires you to do just that: use those tools. Similarly, feeling 'comfortable' in the wilds needs a strength of mind that is not readily achieved in the gym or thumping up a hill. I am not endeavouring to do down the out-and-out physical aspects of training for bushcraft or, indeed, any adventurous activity, but I do think that there are a number of aspects that need to be considered before describing oneself as 'fit' for bushcraft.

 

[big_swede]

Risking to seem a bit cheeky, I would say that it's a bit unfair to compare yourself and your results to those in any kind of special forces. Those guys have that as their job, while you'll be doing it on a hobby basis.

During my beret-test (a test to see if you're worthy of carrying the green beret) we had to, among other things, march 100 km in 24 hours with the big packs. No way I would put myself in that position again. But hey, maybe that's just me!

As for fitness for bushcraft I think it is far more important to develop core and back strength to be able to carry heavy loads and hauling logs, working with the axe etc. When I'm out, I don't speed march or tab, but take every distance in my own pace (which according to my swmbo can be a bit hasty). Also all the stabilising muscle should get their work out.

I've always been doing martial arts (mostly muay thai) but recently got into greco-roman, I find that it gives me the back/core/arm/lower body strength I need, and a good general fitness and agility. I've noticed that my ligaments and tendons seems to suffer less stress when out and about since I started wrestling too. As a benefit I get a nice V-shape on my upper body, and those nice cauliflower ears.

 

[buckley]

fell running!

 

[fishy1]

Risking to seem a bit cheeky, I would say that it's a bit unfair to compare yourself and your results to those in any kind of special forces. Those guys have that as their job, while you'll be doing it on a hobby basis.

Cheeky! No I'm only joking. I realise without a massive amount of training, I won't be as good a them. Plus, I realise they do other things as well as walking.

However, I think with a lot of training you can get to a good level, just like with anything else if you practise alot you become better and better.

Big Swede, I use axes and saws pretty much every day and I'm alright with them.

BTW I didn't mean to come across as someone who just wants to do hundreds of miles and become superfit while neglecting the rest of bushcraft, I love all aspects of it but I'm just identifying areas where I have the most room for improvement.

I didn't do any specific training today, but I did walk everywhere at jogging speed. Was a bit strange to begin with but I'll get used to it.

 

[Minotaur]

I've always been doing martial arts (mostly muay thai) but recently got into greco-roman, I find that it gives me the back/core/arm/lower body strength I need, and a good general fitness and agility. I've noticed that my ligaments and tendons seems to suffer less stress when out and about since I started wrestling too. As a benefit I get a nice V-shape on my upper body, and those nice cauliflower ears.

That is why I recomended those books. What you do in Martial Arts, actually doing the action, or using body weight exercies is strengthen, and use the other muscles in an action.

Basically why a Marathon Runner would be sore after walking 26 miles, different muscles come into play.

It is why there is a difference between your press on a machine and with free weights. The free weights need the back up muscles, which the machines do not use.

 

[Greg]

I agree with you there, there was a very good marathon runner in my unit but he couldn't tab for s**t. And on the other side of the preverbial coin one of my mates could tab all day & all night but couldn't run for s**t! I guess its all what you train your body to do!

 

[JohnL]

to see how fit you are, work out your score on the US APFT(army physical fitness test)calculator.http://www.chrishutton.com/pt/index.php

I get 286 points.

 

[Matt Weir]

Plus it will make you look like Sport Billy.....

..he's a hero from another planet!

 

[fishy1]

Going out for some TAB on friday for a few hours, then a long distance TAB in the hills on the weekend.

 

[dommyracer]

I have loaded my rucksack with 2 litre bottles filled with water.

Each bottle weighs 5lb

No real need to weigh them. A litre of water weighs exactly one kilo, which is 2.2 lbs.

Plus the weight of the bottle, obvs, but that's negligible.

The only way to get used to carrying weight is to practice carrying weight.
I find once I get into a decent rhythm I can go and go.....

 

[bushwacker bob]

No real need to weigh them. A litre of water weighs exactly one kilo, which is 2.2 lbs.

I was just going to mention that.

 

[JohnL]

No real need to weigh them. A litre of water weighs exactly one kilo, which is 2.2 lbs.

Plus the weight of the water, obvs, but that's negligible.

The only way to get used to carrying weight is to practice carrying weight.
I find once I get into a decent rhythm I can go and go.....

I think he meant with 2litre bottles. if one litre ways 2.2lbs 2litres + bottle may weigh 5lbs.

 

[dommyracer]

crikey, does a 2 litre bottle weigh half a pound? the weight soon adds up innit...

 

[Matthew.Passmore]

I think that when looking at going light-weight body fat is way overlooked, say you weigh 90kg and then get down to 85kg thats 5kg your body doesnt have to move as if it's been taken out of your pack.

 

[spamel]

Take laxatives before you go out, that'll shift a pound or two!

 

[Matthew.Passmore]

Take laxatives before you go out, that'll shift a pound or two!

Good Idea