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Weight on feet vs. weight on back

  • Creator
    Topic
  • January 11, 2017 at 1:54 am #3878
    Mariner_9
    Participant

    The basis for this question is explained here: http://adventure.howstuffworks.com/outdoor-activities/hiking/one-pound-off-feet-five-pounds-off-back.htm.

    In TFNA, Chapter 9 (on sport specific training) talks about training with X% of the “weight you will carry on your goal climb”. Should this be adjusted up if you’re carrying significant weight on your feet? E.g. half a splitboard, a binding and a boot might weigh c. 2.5kg, so would you adjust up if carrying the weight on your back while training or instead recommend training with ankle weights (the latter seems more appropriate to me)?

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Posted In: General Training Discussion

  • Inactive
    Anonymous on January 11, 2017 at 8:56 pm #3889

    Mariner:

    The principle of specificity says that trying to model the demands of your event is always going to be give the best results. The reason we recommend a pack on the back is that it imposes a big strength and strength endurance load on the core and postural muscles that will directly affect your fatigue while climbing. If you notice the weight on your feel then you probably will benefit from training with heavy boots of ankle weights for at least some portion of your workouts.

    Scott

    Participant
    Mariner_9 on January 17, 2017 at 12:27 am #3903

    Thanks, Scott. Using ankle weights plus weight in a backpack will definitely most closely replicate touring.

    Participant
    Mariner_9 on February 3, 2017 at 2:09 am #4028

    Out of curiosity, I weighted my gear (skins + splitboard + bindings + boots + socks) which came to 8.69KG. Seemed like a lot given it’s more than 10% of my body weight. There’s not much room to shave off weight from the gear given that I use fairly light bindings and what should be a reasonably light board (Carbon Solution).

    Anyway, I’ve started training (high-rise stair climbs) with ankle weights and I’ll gradually build up both the weight on my ankles and the weight on my back until I get to my “goal day” weight .

    Inactive
    Anonymous on February 3, 2017 at 10:41 am #4032

    Mariner_9

    My recommendation………..Get skis 🙂

    Much more effective back country travel tools
    Scott

Viewing 4 replies - 1 through 4 (of 4 total)
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