Hunting Fitness: The Gear You Might Already Have to Get You Field-Ready

While purchasing a new bow may seem more enticing than working out, it’s important to recognize that fitness can greatly enhance your hunting abilities, unlike most equipment that promises but fails to deliver. While Western hunters may already prioritize fitness, those east of the Mississippi often overlook this aspect of their hunting regimen.

If you genuinely want to enhance your overall hunting performance but lack a consistent workout routine, incorporating fitness into your life will be more beneficial than investing in the latest gimmicks. While certain gear may be essential or offer comfort during hunting, possessing a certain level of fitness can provide both immediate and long-term success in the field, particularly if you have decades of hunting experience.

Getting started is often the most challenging part. If you’re hesitant about joining a gym, setting up a home gym, or simply working out in general, you’ll be pleased to know that you likely already possess hunting gear that can double as exercise equipment. The good news is that you don’t need much to begin.

Here’s a list of hunting and angling gear that can secretly serve as workout equipment:

1. Your Cooler: Coolers have evolved significantly and can now withstand substantial weight and force. As a result, they make excellent additions to your home gym. For example, the YETI Tundra, renowned for keeping your backstraps or hindquarters cold, can also serve as a platform for box jumps. By stacking weights on top to adjust the height, you can perform various exercises such as Bulgarian split squats and weighted step-ups. Just ensure that the cooler is adequately weighted down to prevent tipping during your workout.
2. Your Hunting Clothes: The clothing you wear for hunting is designed to facilitate movement, sweat management, and endurance. Although you may not want to wear your late-season cold-weather gear in the garage, your base layers and early-season garments can suffice. Brands like KUIU offer hunting apparel explicitly designed for training and fitness. For instance, the 120 Crew, a rugged workout shirt, serves as an excellent lightweight base layer for warmer hunting temperatures. Made of quick-dry, odor-resistant merino wool, it performs exceptionally well as a workout shirt. Similarly, the Active Merino 105 can serve as a base layer or standalone shirt for early-season hunts or running.

Editor’s note: “As a ‘shapely’ woman, I detest tank tops. However, the KUIU Women’s ULTRA Merino 145 Racerback Tank is nearly perfect. It’s the first tank top I own that I wear while working out, as a base layer, and in the field.” — Hunt & Fish Editor, Rachelle Schrute.

For women’s-specific hunt apparel that serves a dual purpose in the gym, Alpine Fit is worth checking out. Their base layers are incredibly comfortable, feel like butter, and incorporate anti-odor technology. They also offer excellent breathability, making them suitable for trail running, garage workouts, or layering under hunting clothes. Additionally, Alpine Fit pays attention to fit, offering two shape options tailored to women’s bodies.

Editor’s note: “The Bushwacking Leggings from Alpine Fit are possibly the best leggings I’ve ever owned. I use them for hiking, biking, working out, and even wear them daily. I never thought I’d include a pair of leggings in my hunting pack, but these have earned their place. While they’re not cheap, the investment is absolutely worth it. They’re durable and incredibly comfortable.” — Hunt & Fish Editor, Rachelle Schrute.

Your Hunting Pack: Rucking is an excellent way to elevate your heart rate and build endurance, closely resembling the physical demands of carrying a heavy pack over long distances in the woods. You can take any reliable hunting pack, load it with moderately heavy items, and start walking. Alternatively, you can treat your hunting pack as a weighted vest by adding something heavy and performing bodyweight exercises like squats, pull-ups, dips, or lunges. The KUIU Venture Divide 3000 and the K4 Pack from EXO MTN GEAR are both highly recommended packs that excel in the field and during training.

Your GPS Watch: With the abundance of smartwatches available today, chances are you already own one. Whether it’s a fitness-specific, all-purpose smartwatch, or a watch tailored for hunting, you can utilize its features to monitor and enhance your fitness levels. The Garmin Instinct Solar, equipped with GPS, inReach capabilities, and preloaded sports apps, is an excellent choice for backcountry hunts or personalized workout routines. Even if you don’t plan on hunting in remote areas, the watch’s Multi-GNSS support and TRACBACK features make it convenient for navigating vast public lands. You can track your hunting routes, heart rate, and more to refine your hunting strategies and running performance.

Ratchet Straps: If you’re like many people, you probably have a collection of mismatched ratchet straps tucked away in your garage or truck. These straps can be repurposed for exercise by hanging them over rafters or a pull-up bar and connecting them. You can then use the straps for exercises like ring rows or dips when you have limited equipment. These exercises also translate to the motion of pulling back a bow. Just ensure there are no obvious tears or frayed ends on the straps.

Gear Aimed at Hunting Fitness: If you’re ready to invest in gear to improve your fitness, there are numerous options available. Some hunt-specific brands offer fitness gear and programs that may pique your interest. Here are a couple of favorites:

• KUIU Training Gear: In addition to the KUIU 120 Crew mentioned earlier, the brand offers a dedicated line of workout apparel designed to help you get in shape for the field. While hunting-specific fitness clothes are not essential for preparing for the season, if you have a passion for hunting, it’s worth considering performance fitness garments from a hunting brand. GearJunkie has tested and reviewed parts of the KUIU line, such as the Pursuit Tech Pant and the Training Tech Shirt, and they have performed on par with fitness industry standards while seamlessly integrating with your existing wardrobe.
• MTNTOUGH: Although not necessary, a hunting-specific training program can greatly assist in getting in shape for the mountains or the field. MTNTOUGH stands out by focusing on making you an efficient hunter rather than just improving your appearance. Their workouts range
• Wall Ball: Weighted medicine balls or wall balls provide a cost-effective and versatile option for your fitness routine. Their unique shape allows you to target muscles that are not typically engaged with standard free weights or dumbbells. You can incorporate them into exercises like wall balls or overhead lunges, adding variety and effectiveness to your workouts.
• 75 Hard: The 75 Hard program is particularly beneficial for hunters due to its structured routine, emphasis on discipline, and defined time frame. If you’re a western hunter, you can start the program 75 days before serious scouting for the season begins. By combining a solid diet with twice-a-day workouts and making small lifestyle improvements, you can set yourself on the path to a more successful journey in the mountains. The program’s requirement for an outdoor workout and the accountability provided by the app make it highly effective. While the program itself is free, there is an app available for a nominal fee of $7 if you prefer additional accountability.
• Final Thoughts and Words of Inspiration on Hunting Fitness: Fitness doesn’t have to be complicated to yield results. In fact, simplicity often proves more effective. Just as the latest hunting equipment won’t automatically make you a better hunter, working out doesn’t require an elaborate home gym. With a little creativity and dedication, you can make those challenging treks in the dark a bit easier.
• Martial Arts Made Me a Better Outdoor Athlete: Stepping into the ring and engaging in martial arts fighting had a profound impact on my life in the great outdoors. Despite being outmatched in my first kickboxing match, I continued to fight, fueled by a sense of pride and a refusal to give up. The crossover between martial arts and outdoor sports became apparent to me.
• Martial arts and outdoor activities share a common thread — the enjoyment of pushing beyond our fears. Just as I learned to flip off the fear switch during fights, I discovered that embracing the experience and focusing on the present moment allowed me to conquer daunting outdoor challenges. The mental aspect is crucial, and martial arts empowered me to be bolder both in life and in outdoor pursuits.
• Training in martial arts taught me the importance of pushing past fear, owning my space, and harnessing my competitive drive. Whether it’s mountain biking over rugged terrain, climbing precarious rock faces, or participating in grueling trail races, confidence and a commitment to boldness are essential. Despite encountering skeptics and gatekeepers, the ability to stand tall and assert your place in the outdoor world is invaluable. Competition serves as a driving force, propelling me to surpass my limits and achieve personal goals.
• Overall, martial arts training not only improved my physical abilities but also instilled in me a mindset that translates seamlessly into various outdoor endeavors. By embracing the challenges, pushing past fear, and owning my space, I’ve become a stronger, more confident outdoor athlete.
• Cultivating Resilience: From Martial Arts to Outdoor Adventure
• Enduring blows and injuries was a part of my journey in martial arts. In the ring, I faced brutal hits that would leave most people writhing in pain. Broken toes, groin strikes, and gut-wrenching kicks were just some of the challenges. But I was trained to hide the pain behind a stoic expression.
• In my outdoor adventures, falls and accidents happen, and they can be painful. Yet, oftentimes, there’s no other option but to shake it off and temporarily set aside the discomfort until it can be properly addressed.
• I don’t advocate for being tough when injuries require attention. However, this skill of pushing through has proved invaluable when circumstances demand that I keep moving.
• Training in martial arts has not only enhanced my physical fitness but has also equipped me with psychological tools to tackle the toughest moments.
• Outdoor sports can be grueling, but just as I relished sparring with teammates and testing my skills in the ring, I find exhilaration in pushing myself on treacherous trails and challenging races.
• When fatigue sets in during a challenging climb or a demanding run, I draw inspiration from the memory of my last fight in amateur kickboxing. I remember the roughness of the experience and how glad I am to have overcome it. As philosopher Blaise Pascal wisely said, “It is the fight alone that pleases us, not the victory.”
• TAGS: Outdoor Women, Martial Arts, Pro Athletes
• About the Author: Paige Triola is a Colorado-based freelance writer who covers a wide range of topics in the athletic and outdoor recreation sphere. She spends most of her time exploring trails on foot or by bike. Her work has been featured in publications such as Runner’s World, Bicycling Magazine, Popular Mechanics, The Red Bulletin, and Trail Runner Magazine. While she enjoys discussing various subjects, her favorite conversations revolve around travel, martial arts, biology, and mountain biking.
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