I am a qualified Personal Trainer, Dip. PT (Inst. PT), which certification I often use in conjunction with my International Mountain Leader award, to offer mountain fitness training both in the Alps and the Lake District. Get in contact for all your mountain fitness training requirements...
- Weight loss / control
- Aerobic fitness development
- Muscle toning
- Diet and hydration
- Stretching exercises
- Training plan development
- Trail race coaching
- Endurance fitness training
Many people contact me each year with specific training aims, be it a planned ascent of Kilimanjaro later in the year, a first road marathon, or simply to lose weight. The common factor is that all these people know that mountain and altitude training is widely recognised as some of the lowest impact, yet highest output, in the world. In the winter we train on snowshoes, and in the summer months we either use trekking boots or even trainers for lightweight mountain days. The majority of mountain training can be done at walking speed, though some like to explore the fascinating and addictive world of trail running. Just let me know what you are hoping to achieve, and I'll prepare a plan for you.
Case Study: Jon and Jen are a married couple from the USA, that I was lucky enough to spend a week guiding in the winter. They were great fun and are keen triathlon competitors. During the winter they struggled to keep up their training programme as cycling and running on ice isn't much fun. Snowshoeing proved to be the answer they were after, and we spent a great few days pushing the ascents and altitude training. In this photo they are on a secret snowshoe summit in the Swiss Valais. Good luck with all your competitions this year guys... Sports Beans rule!
Worried? Just because I have a page dedicated to mountain training, doesn't mean that if you have booked me for a 'regular' day out that I will beast you up the hills. That couldn't be further from the truth. I set the pace at a suitable and sustainable pace that I judge you can enjoy and which won't tire you too much. I love my training and trail running, but there's not much need for that level of fitness on 99% of my days out guiding. Don't worry! If you are still in any doubt, look at the size of Maximus my dog, who accompanies most groups - he clearly wouldn't be amused by the thought of running anywhere with all 42kg of him. He can easily be bribed with biscuits to go at your pace!
