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My Training Log from Elbrus
Here are some examples of what I’ve been doing the past few weeks while training for Elbrus. The following is only the cardio segment of each day so that you can get an idea of what type and amount of cardio I do while training for a big mountain. Note: ITM = NordicTrack Incline Treadmill…
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Core Week – Standing Side Abs with Barbell
You need to work your obliques, including the abs on the side. Bending side to side is a pretty good way to train your core and improve strength that applies to mountaineering, like picking up your really heavy pack, lifting a sled over a crevasse lip, digging out a tent platform. The instructions for this…
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Core Week – Standing Band Ab Curls
The Standing Band Ab Curl is a pretty cool exercise for your core that works a lot harder than you would think. Gravity really doesn’t give you a boost, since you’d be pulling against the resistance from above and/or to the rear. Typically you’d use a little over-the-shoulder yoke hooked to a cable and a…
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Core Week – Inverted Situp
So you want a set of six-pack abs? Or at least a strong core, which is probably more meaningful for ice climbing and hauling around an 85 lb pack while dragging a 45 lb sled (standard fare in Alaska). I really like this exercise – the inverted situp. I do it a few different ways,…
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Core Week – Rotation Planks
Very simple and very effective – works your entire core, including your abs and obliques and the QL. I like to use something to take the stress off my wrists when I do planks. In the video below I’m using the Perfect Pushup handles to allow my wrists to stay in a neutral position and…
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Core Week – Roman Chair Crunches
First up in this week of core movements is the Roman Chair Crunch. I have a Back Hyperextension/Roman Chair combination bench. Hop up to sit on the large front pads with the large fleshy part of your hamstrings, and hook your ankles under the round foot pads. Lean back carefully. If you’ve never done this…