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Our treadmill took a dirt nap a few months ago and I've been on the hunt for a cardio machine that's less boring and more apt to find myself using on a regular basis. My wife, the little bargain hunter that she is, stumbled upon a great deal on a ProForm HIIT trainer today and wanted to pass along the info to the rest of you if anyone's looking for a good deal on a climber/elliptical combo. Right through the ProForm website, you can get the HIIT trainer for $827 with free curbside delivery though midnight tonight, have to use the code TODAY827. | ||
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Brandon, Why use Africa as a reason to keep in shape when by keeping in shape for all seasons would take care of any destination one chooses to visit?  | |||
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I like walking, always have. I do have a treadmill, but use it very little now, as we have a fantastic walking track not very far from my house. One can walk on the beach for as long as one wishes on specially made tracks. I do that sometimes, but most of the days just going about normally adds up 1-20 kilometers a day. I have a GPS tracker, and have kept track last year, walking 3,583 kilometers. This year I am already 3,377, and we have a long break in the mountains later this month, so lots of walking too. As Fulvio said, it pays to keep in shape all year round, makes hunting so much more enjoyable. | |||
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I think that I'm in a real win-win situation: I hunt, which for me involves lots of walking in search of possible targets, to keep in shape! Why keep in shape? Well, in order to be able to hunt, which involves lots of walking!  Andrew McLaren Professional Hunter and Hunting Outfitter since 1974. http://www.mclarensafaris.com The home page to go to for custom planning of ethical and affordable hunting of plains game in South Africa! Enquire about any South African hunting directly from andrew@mclarensafaris.com After a few years of participation on forums, I have learned that: One can cure: Lack of knowledge – by instruction. Lack of skills – by practice. Lack of experience – by time doing it. One cannot cure: Stupidity – nothing helps! Anti hunting sentiments – nothing helps! Put-‘n-Take Outfitters – money rules! My very long ago ancestors needed and loved to eat meat. Today I still hunt! | |||
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In nice weather, I'm right with you guys. During warmer weather, we got out almost daily for a 2-3mi walk with the dog and the baby. Unfortunately, the weather lately hasn't been too conducive to that with the baby now in the mix. | |||
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I was doing pretty well the last couple of years staying away from rich foods and jogging a lot.Once in a while I would go on the stair climber machine.At spring time I started to get a pain at the rear of my ankle/heel that is still with me.This has made jogging difficult and caused some weight gain which made the problem worst.I am not sure was caused the pain.It could have been all the jogging or some flat bottom shoes I wore at work for a year. | |||
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I deal with a bout of plantar fasciitis about once a year. A frozen waterbottle and a few days of ibuprofen usually alleviate this. I spend all day at work on my feet, a lot of it standing in one place. I'm headed out to the running store this week to get fitted for some sneakers. I've a good pair of orthodics in my boots, but they dont fit in any of my sneakers. | |||
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The last new pair of adiddas running shoes I bought sent me limping home from about 3km's.I was lucky to have a pair of hiking shoes around which I now use to jog in.The pain is much less with them however since last spring any form of rigorous exercise is out of the question. | |||
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I wore out one treadmill and have many miles on my second one. Use it 4-5 times a week, religiously. I am almost 66 and want to keep hunting at least 10 more years. NRA Patron member | |||
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My preference is to walk also. But, I find I need more than just walking. I really hate to run/jog. I got one of these from my brother-inlaw: http://www.concept2.com/indoor-rowers/model-d I get a aerobic workout with it and work more than just my legs. Tom | |||
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You found it with the above in bold! Jogging is detrimental to the tendons and joints. Walking is much better for building condition. In my case first I would have to loose about 15 years of my age, and then go back out west where I walked hunting every morning hunting 7 days a week, and 12 months of the year. ...........................80 years of living and moving to the big city has ravaged my body beyond repair! ........................................................................  ....Mac >>>===(x)===> MacD37, ...and DUGABOY1 DRSS Charter member "If I die today, I've had a life well spent, for I've been to see the Elephant, and smelled the smoke of Africa!"~ME 1982 Hands of Old Elmer Keith  | |||
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Burpees are way cheaper than any machine and can be done practically anywhere, even in solitary. Video at bottom ______________________ DRSS ______________________ Hunt Reports 2015 His & Her Leopards with Derek Littleton of Luwire Safaris - http://forums.accuratereloadin...6321043/m/2971090112 2015 Trophy Bull Elephant with CMS http://forums.accuratereloadin...6321043/m/1651069012 DIY Brooks Range Sheep Hunt 2013 - http://forums.accuratereloadin...901038191#9901038191 Zambia June/July 2012 with Andrew Baldry - Royal Kafue http://forums.accuratereloadin...6321043/m/7971064771 Zambia Sept 2010- Muchinga Safaris http://forums.accuratereloadin...6321043/m/4211096141 Namibia Sept 2010 - ARUB Safaris http://forums.accuratereloadin...6321043/m/6781076141 | |||
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One thing I found from experience, ellipticals will use muscles differently than walking. Had a couple of weeks of using the elliptical instead of walking because of work schedule, got out for a walk and I was sore in some leg muscles. Cardiovascular shape was just fine, and machines other than treadmills will help that, just be ready for some soreness if you haven't been actually walking. Caleb | |||
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Totally disagree. I run 12 to 15 miles per week, bike another 18. I am 57 and I have had only two guides who could not keep up with me; one last fall was in his early 20s; the other was Mike Young in BC - a few years younger than me. I went to the desert this am to do some long range shooting an quail hunting; I bet I walked at least 5 miles. When I got home I ran four miles in 32.5 minutes. Is running fun? Hell no, it sucks. I love the feeling when I am finished. I talk a lot of folks down into the Grand Canyon. Plenty of "walkers" have a hard time. I have yet to find a runner or biker who can't keep up. Walking does dicksquat for cardio. If you don't want to run, ride a bike in hilly country - but IMO it takes a 20 mile bike ride to equal a four mile run. | |||
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As Mac said, jogging will make it worse. Firstly where is the pain? Is it in the ankle joint itself, at the back on the Achilles tendon or in the sole of the foot? If it is in the tendon, just check with your fingers and see if you find a particularly painful spot with a bit of swelling. If it is at the back of the heel and the pain is a sharp "knife" pain then you may have a spur on the bone that is hurting the tendon and tissue around. I had a similar condition and had to have surgery to remove the spur. What ever the matter, it is worth getting checked by a specialist. I was lucky my brother is a surgeon who does a lot of orthopedic work.
"When the wind stops....start rowing. When the wind starts, get the sail up quick." | |||
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It depends on what is causing the pain. For example, I was born with a clubbed foot (the doctor told my mom I might never walk normally). At 57, I now have arthritis really bad in that foot. My podiatrist said exercise was good and running would help it. It hurt like hell today when I ran the first mile, but after that it got better. Sometimes I think some of you guys convince yourselves walking is best because other options are too uncomfortable or too much work. I guess if you can't run, it is, but walking does zero for cardio - unless maybe you wear a pack and hike up steep hills without stopping. | |||
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It is not on the sole.There is a small sore spot on the side of the heel but the pain spreads around the tendon and it is disabling when it is around the rear tendon.For months it was on one foot only now it is starting on the other.On the other foot the sore spot is in the rear of the heel about an inch above the ground.I ran a lot the last two years especially last year-around 125km/wk on hard slanted surface.Last week I was in a lot of pain in my adiddas and when I removed the shoe and walked barefoot there was no pain at all.I dropped 10 lbs last couple of weeks and with the heavy shoes there is an improvement.If I wear a flat shoe it kills.I blame the flat shoes for causing it.I will probably see a doctor in the coming weeks. I have been running weekly and year round for 20 yrs.Some years little mileage some a lot but never a hint of foot pain or discomfort. | |||
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practice downing enough sundowners to keep up with your ph  | |||
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I had a looooong summer of gin gimlets on the patio (read Horn of the Hunter a few times, too!) in preparation for that one! Part of the reason I need more exercise, I'm sure... | |||
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Had a friend who exercised on roller blades! He was much younger than either me and Roy, but had a very hard time keeping up with us  Also, I am so happy that none of the PHs I hunt with are drinkers. We all seem to prefer to wake up very early, and hit the sack as soon as dinner is finished. | |||
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You also keep the weight off Saeed; not to be underestimated. Alcohol, as much loved on AR as guns it seems sometimes, is a big hindrance to keeping the weight off. Most guys that indulge every night have a lot of belly fat or are otherwise heavy, which leads to bad joints, which leads to lack of exercise, etc etc. | |||
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The best way to stay in shape for Africa is don't leave Africa. ___________________ Just Remember, We ALL Told You So. | |||
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You may disagree all you want that is your right! However you know SQUAT (your term)but if you walked on a daily basis where I walked you would be puffing like a freight train by the end of that walk. My hunting area in a daily basis when I lived in the desert starts at 4300 feet above sea level and ends at 9800 feet above sea level, then back down to 4300 feet above sea level. 30 years ago I moved to the D/FW for my job which is 400 feet above sea level, and damn near no hill more the 500 feet above sea level. Immediately, with no change in diet I started putting on weight, which was because the higher the altitude the more energy it takes just to breath, and when you get where you can walk fast without getting breathless at high altitude then go to most of African hunting areas where the altitude is normally no higher the about 2000 feet above sea level you will have little trouble "KEEPING UP " on a 20 K walk for a buffalo. .................................................................57 years old is still a kid, wait till you get grown and check back on your opinion formed today! At 57 yrs old I could walk all day every day in any kind of terrain without breathing hard at 10,000 feet above sea level ! ................................................................ ....Mac >>>===(x)===> MacD37, ...and DUGABOY1 DRSS Charter member "If I die today, I've had a life well spent, for I've been to see the Elephant, and smelled the smoke of Africa!"~ME 1982 Hands of Old Elmer Keith | |||
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Funny you mention altitude. I walk in the mountains in Europe, at altitudes of 10,000 feet and more. All my friends complain, but, frankly I do not notice that much of a difference!! Walter does not like to be above 5,000 feet. | |||
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My other hobby is mountain climbing (I will admit I puked once at 19K feet) and backpacking the Grand Canyon (will go down to Hermit Creek this Saturday and back up on Sunday). I can walk from the Colorado River to the rim without stopping. I think I will stick to running and biking. But I did say walking with a pack up inclines (like the Grand Canyon) is pretty good for cardio as well. Walking is better than nothing, but it isn't as good as biking and running. But then again, I don't view any African hunting as that physically difficult; certainly not as difficult as sheep hunting or most other Alaskan hunting. As for weight, it is harder to keep it off at 57 than it was at 47. But every day I step on the scales, and if my weight is 154 or higher, I either exercise more the next day or eat less. If you step on the scale every day and exercise some discipline, you can keep the weight off. Maybe at 80 I will have a different opinion, but I am not planning on it. | |||
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Being in shape helps Saeed, but according to a mountain guide friend of mine with whom I have climbed in Himalayas, some individuals just do better at higher altitude. | |||
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..................Point taken! ....Mac >>>===(x)===> MacD37, ...and DUGABOY1 DRSS Charter member "If I die today, I've had a life well spent, for I've been to see the Elephant, and smelled the smoke of Africa!"~ME 1982 Hands of Old Elmer Keith | |||
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George Thanks for the constructive response! Your symptoms would suggest to me that you have bone spurs in your heels that dig into the tendon when you walk in some angles - like flat sole shoes. Very similar to what I had. The shoes are not the cause of the problem. They just happen to align your feet in a particular way so that the spur digs in. If you try the same shoes and walked on your toes, you will notice that there is no sharp pain at all because the angle aligns the spur away from the tendon meeting the bone. I suspect that the tendon will have a lump about 2 or 3 inches off the ground and it will be a bit sore, particularly if you press on it. I would suggest that you have it checked by a specialist. One of the longer term effects of the condition is the complete separation of the Achilles tendon, which would take months to recover from. Better to prevent that .....
"When the wind stops....start rowing. When the wind starts, get the sail up quick." | |||
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I still believe the best preparation for an African safari is walking. That is one does in Africa. Walk. Walk. And walk. | |||
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I chuckle at the guys who are in their 50s and 60s say they are not missing a step. A lot of us had no problem when we were younger but slow down a bit as we age. I quit running because of sore knees in my 50s. I am 76 and a now a dedicated walker--7 miles +/- a day and every other day do an hour on an eliptical--coming to a total 2400 miles a year and haven't had a problem in Africa. In my very limited experience most of southern African hunting is not as challenging as true mountain hunts and I think walking is generally pretty good preparation. I hunt and hike in Wyoming and Colorado at altitudes and by taking my time I don't have much of a problem. However chasing my under-trained springer who in turn is chasing pheasant through thick CRP is definitely getting harder. Dick Gunn “You must always stop and roll in the good stuff; it may not smell this way tomorrow.” Lucy, a long deceased Basset Hound " | |||
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As Saeed says,walking,walking and more walking.You can do it anytime and anywhere.And the dog gets happy,too. Besides that,i do some bodyweigh exercises,like the above mentioned burpees,pushups,pullups,squats,dips,etc. https://www.marklauren.com/books.html And i use a bellicon rebounder,its fun and it trains the lymphatic system like nothing else. https://www.bellicon.com/us_en https://www.evolutionhealth.co...ounding-benefits.htm | |||
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20+ years ago I had to change my exercise routine when I became diabetic. As a former competitor in weightlifting I was used to strength exercises. Now, cardio is important. I dropped the gym membershihp and still use weights at home, but only for exercising and not muscle building (at 60+ who cares if I can bench 350?). To simplify matters and to enhance my enjoyment of the outdoors I walk and have so for nearly 20 years. My dog and I average 6 miles a day, rain or shine, 70F to -40F and only miss a day if traveling or very ill. It has hepled in Africa and also the north Alaska tundra. I can't pack out a moose any longer but I can walk for the day. I guess the important part of exercise is to exercise in the same manner one is training for: i.e. if you are going to walk a lot in Africa, then walk at home. I used to tell kids in school who were training for ROTC, that if they needed to do more pullups, then do them. A lot! Not do curls. If you are planning to hunt with a pack or carry a heavy rifle, add them to your walking routine. Cal _______________________________ Cal Pappas, Willow, Alaska www.CalPappas.com www.CalPappas.blogspot.com 1994 Zimbabwe 1997 Zimbabwe 1998 Zimbabwe 1999 Zimbabwe 1999 Namibia, Botswana, Zambia--vacation 2000 Australia 2002 South Africa 2003 South Africa 2003 Zimbabwe 2005 South Africa 2005 Zimbabwe 2006 Tanzania 2006 Zimbabwe--vacation 2007 Zimbabwe--vacation 2008 Zimbabwe 2012 Australia 2013 South Africa 2013 Zimbabwe 2013 Australia 2016 Zimbabwe 2017 Zimbabwe 2018 South Africa 2018 Zimbabwe--vacation 2019 South Africa 2019 Botswana 2019 Zimbabwe vacation 2021 South Africa 2021 South Africa (2nd hunt a month later) ______________________________ | |||
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Absolutely. And I have hunted 80 year olds who can still do a few fair kilometres but at their own pace. ROYAL KAFUE LTD Email - kafueroyal@gmail.com Tel/Whatsapp (00260) 975315144 Instagram - kafueroyal | |||
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Thanks, all! This turned into a great thread. Got set up with a pair of Brooks Beast 16 sneakers at the local running store, and the HIIT machine should be delivered tomorrow. Just moved a ton of lead shot down into the reloading room yesterday (should last me a LITTLE while shooting trap....) and plan on putting one of those into my hunting pack and wearing that once I get back into the swing of things a bit. I'm sure the dog's looking forward to warmer weather and longer days so we can resume our evening walks outside. She's probably half the miles on the treadmill anyway, we treadmill trained her as a puppy to burn off pent up energy on bad weather days. Those german shepherds seem never to run out of piss and vinegar! | |||
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Here in New Zealand our hunting is very hard in the tight, steep terrain. Even the North Island has a lot of wrinkled hills with steep gullies, guts, wind fall logs etc. The real challenge is actually on the hip muscles as you have to lift your legs a lot more than with just walking & the hips get sore very quickly. Once the hips get sore, it is real agony going down hill back to camp! Your hip joint muscles just do not have the strength to slow your down hill step! While walking is great and very relevant, you need to also do a fair amount of climbing exercises to address that. Cycling adds to the walking regime by exercising the hips & you can also use the gears to add or reduce resistance. I am told that there are parts of Africa like the Omay that are quite hilly and you will do a fair amount of up and down walking. "When the wind stops....start rowing. When the wind starts, get the sail up quick." | |||
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I'm fortunate in this regard in that I live in the mountains of North Central Arizona, which is almost identical to Namibia around Outjo and the borders of Etosha. My house is literally less than 100 yards from BLM/National Forest land. I can walk out my back door and walk for hours through the mountains, up, down, cross country or along game trails. Elevation changes can be as much as 1800 feet. I can rock climb or boulder hop as much as I want to. Many times I'll carry a shortened weight-lifting bar that weights about 12lbs to simulate a rifle. The added bonus is that I can find deer and other game and practice my stalking skills. Three days a week of this and 3 days in the gym concentrating on body-weight exercises keep me good to go. 114-R10David | |||
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Round is a shape. Frank "I don't know what there is about buffalo that frightens me so.....He looks like he hates you personally. He looks like you owe him money." - Robert Ruark, Horn of the Hunter, 1953 NRA Life, SAF Life, CRPA Life, DRSS lite | |||
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BOSU the greatest invention for old folks since VIAGRA. Check it out. | |||
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Bosu ball is an incredible exercise tool. I found it amazing when just jogging on it about 5 or 6 years ago. It basically straightened out my game knee and hip by balancing the strength of ALL muscles to give me the right balance when climbing up or down. No more stumbling and bumping into stuff - after 30 years of frustration. Since then I have used the Bosu ball for various other balance exercises.
"When the wind stops....start rowing. When the wind starts, get the sail up quick." | |||
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