

The Training For Mountaineering Podcast
Rowan Smith: Mountaineering Fitness Coach
The Training For Mountaineering Podcast is created to help mountaineers and alpinists best train, prepare and conquer their mountain adventures. Rowan shares with you the simple and proven training strategies to get you fit, strong and resilient for the mountain. Inside he dives into training, injury prevention, nutrition, mental strength and much much more. So you can have the best chance of a safe, enjoyable and successful adventure!
Episodes
Mentioned books

Oct 4, 2020 • 14min
TFM19: Four Forgotten Muscles For Mountaineers
In this episode, I discuss four forgotten muscles for mountaineers, which often get overlooked in their strength training, but which can have some fantastic benefits if training correctly. == Want to get fit, strong and resilient for your mountaineering adventures? Check out the Online Summit Program: https://www.summitstrength.com.au/online-mountaineer.html

Sep 27, 2020 • 17min
TFM18: Training For Loaded Descents
In this episode, I share some simple tips on how a mountaineer can train their body for descents, and ensure they can stay comfortable and safe on this part of the mountain. == Want to get fit, strong and resilient for your mountaineering adventures? Check out the Online Summit Program: https://www.summitstrength.com.au/online-mountaineer.html

Sep 20, 2020 • 15min
TFM17: Your Pre-Training Routine
In this episode, I discuss some simple actions a mountaineer can take as part of their pre-training routine, to ensure they are performing at their best, and getting the most out of their training for mountaineering. == Want to get fit, strong and resilient for your mountaineering adventures? Check out the Online Summit Program: https://www.summitstrength.com.au/online-mountaineer.html

Sep 13, 2020 • 16min
TFM16: Testing Mountaineering Fitness (Part Two)
In this episode, we explore part two of our fitness testing for mountaineers. Here we discuss a range of strength, endurance and core assessments a mountaineer can use, as well as when is the best time to use these in your training. == Want to get fit, strong and resilient for your mountaineering adventures? Check out the Online Summit Program: https://www.summitstrength.com.au/online-mountaineer.html

Sep 2, 2020 • 20min
TFM15: Testing Mountaineering Fitness (Part One)
In this episode, I discuss fitness tests and assessments for mountaineers. We explore why they are important, what makes a good fitness assessment and a few ways to test aerobic fitness for mountaineers. == Want to get fit, strong and resilient for your mountaineering adventures? Check out the Online Summit Program: https://www.summitstrength.com.au/online-mountaineer.html

Aug 30, 2020 • 14min
TFM14: Five Rules For Interval Training (For Mountaineers)
In this episode, I discuss five rules a mountaineer should follow when doing interval training in their workouts. === Want to get fit, strong and resilient for your mountaineering adventures? Check out the Online Summit Program: https://www.summitstrength.com.au/online-mountaineer.html

Aug 23, 2020 • 15min
TFM13: Uphill Athlete vs Summit Strength
In this episode, I discuss some of the major differences in the training approaches for mountaineers between Uphill Athlete and Summit Strength. Over the last few weeks, I have had a number of conversations with aspiring mountaineers who were tossing up between an Uphill Athlete training program or a working with a Summit Strength preparation plan. so today, I discuss some of the major differences in our training approaches, so you will clearly know which approach suits you best. == Want to work with Summit Strength? Check out the Online Summit Program: https://www.summitstrength.com.au/online-mountaineer.html

Aug 16, 2020 • 23min
TFM12: Time Efficient Training For Mountaineering
In this episode, I discuss a few simple tips and guidelines a mountaineer can use for their training when they are incredibly strapped for time. In a perfect world, a mountaineer would have endless hours a week to commit to their training. They could go out for multiple long stints of cardio each week, spend plenty of time in the gym and not have to worry about being 'time-efficient'. But, unfortunately, we do not live in a perfect world. And for many mountaineers out there, the usual training recommendations are just not realistic. Maybe you have a busy job, a young family or just have a lot going on, the idea of fitting in huge amounts of hours training each week seems absolutely impossible. The issue here is, because there is a lack of quality information on this particular subject, this leads mountaineers to fall back into things like HIIT, Crossfit and going all out every session. But there is a much better way. Instead, you can still follow a specialist and structured training approach for mountaineering, even if you can only commit to shorter sessions. In this episode, I discuss a few of my best training tips a mountaineer can use to get the most from their training, in the shortest amount of time. You will learn: - Why being realistic about your time availability is THE most important step to long term training success - A couple of tips to ensure you fit your training in when life gets busy - A few recommendations to make your cardio a bit more realistic with a busy life - Some guidelines on how to make the most use of your time when strength training - A few simple strategies I have used with clients in the past, to help them fit in 'extra' training into their week === Want to get fit, strong and resilient for your mountaineering adventures? Check out the Online Summit Program: https://www.summitstrength.com.au/online-mountaineer.html

Aug 9, 2020 • 25min
TFM11: Core Training For Mountaineers
In this episode, we talk about core training for mountaineers. And specifically, we explore my approach to core training, which may be a bit different than the popular approach mountaineers are familiar with, but which can be incredibly effective. Core strength is one aspect of training which mountaineers traditionally do very poorly. Endless sit-ups and crunches, 30-minute core sessions and random exercise selections; there are multiple reasons where this facet of mountaineering preparation falls short. And for many, this area of training will often turn into a massive waste of time. But it doesn't have to be like this! By taking strategies used by world-class strength and conditioning coaches (and not traditional endurance coaches), we can make this type of training MUCH more effective, targeted and time-efficient. So today, we explore a smarter approach to core training for mountaineers. One which can get you an incredibly strong and effective core for the mountain, without a wasted minute. You will learn: The three big benefits to core training for mountaineers My beliefs around core training (many of which may seem a bit different than the 'traditional' approach to core work mountaineers are familiar with) What anti-movement training is (and why it is so beneficial for your performance in training and on the mountain) My 'big 3' core exercises for mountaineers (which every mountaineer should learn and master) How to progress your core exercises (plus a 7-step example for one of my favourite exercises) Where a mountaineer should include core training in their programming === Want seven awesome workouts to get your legs mountain strong? Download the Mountaineer's Muscular Endurance Handbook here: https://www.summitstrength.com.au/mountaineer-handbook.html

Aug 2, 2020 • 25min
TFM10: Training For Mountaineering (Without Any Mountains)
In this episode, I discuss how a mountaineer can get fit and strong for the mountains when they don't have any elevation to train on. One of the most common questions I hear from aspiring mountaineers is: "I have a big mountain climb coming up, but where I live is about as flat as a pancake. What can I do?" Unfortunately, the majority of the training advice written for mountaineers is written by people who have regular access to the mountains. Maybe they grew up there. Maybe they moved closer to the mountains to help their passion. But whatever the reason is, this leads to there being a bit of a blind spot in the common advice. But what about those who don't have access to the mountains? Who might still have mountaineering aspirations, but can't reguarly find any elevation to train on? Who might need to get mountain strong legs, but even finding the smallest hill is a struggle? Well, if this is you, don't you worry! You can still get fit, strong and resilient for some of the biggest mountains in the world, even if you don't have any elevation to train on. You just have to train smart. And this episode will tell you how. You will learn: My 4-step system for training for elevation (without any mountains) Why max strength training cannot be neglected when training for the mountains The single most strength exercise a mountaineer can do in this situation A few examples of muscular endurance training which a mountaineer can complete when they don't have access to elevation Some simple guidelines to ensure your aerobic capacity training is doing the right things An incredibly powerful method of interval training which can do wonders for any mountaineer (and which can be completed anywhere!) === Want seven awesome workouts to get your legs mountain strong? Download the Mountaineer's Muscular Endurance Handbook here: https://www.summitstrength.com.au/mountaineer-handbook.html


