Big Buck Hunter

Forge the muscle endurance and strength needed to become a human pack mule.

- By Graham Averill

Forget the deer-spotting stereotypes. Backcountry hunters trek for miles over rugged terrain only to retrace their steps while carrying hundreds of pounds of fresh meat on their backs. “Packing out an animal is hard,” says Dustin Diefenderfer, hunter, ultrarunner, and founder of MTNTOUGH Fitness in Bozeman, MT. “You need a strong chassis, like an F-150.” Hunter or not, try his signature 45-70 heavy pack workout. It’s designed to build the muscle endurance and strength required for such a daunting task.

DIRECTIONS

Load a multiday backpack that has a harness system with sandbags (or wrap free weights with towels) to approximate weight. Perform a descending/ascending ladder with the rep scheme: 30, 20, 10, 20, 30. Rest 2 to 5 minutes between sets. Repeat workout three times a week.