Designed for mountaineers who are determined to attain the fitness and resilience required to summit formidable peaks like Mt. Everest.

If you want to maximize your chances of success on peaks like Denali, Aconcagua, Lhotse, or Mount Everest, you’re in the right place.
Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced climber, this structured training plan is built to adapt to all skill levels. We do this through our famous at-home aerobic threshold test. This test, and the analysis of the results, will determine your training zones. All the aerobic workouts in the training plan are built to be uploaded to your smartwatch.
Unlimited updates are included with this plan at no additional cost.
We first published this training plan in 2016 and over the years we have added expanded educational content explaining why you are doing certain workouts. You’ll learn about Muscular Endurance training as you do it with our education forward explanations. You’ll get DOMS (Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness) reduction tips. And benefit from new ideas to help you get the most out of your recovery days.
This plan is built on the three pillars of Uphill Athlete Training: Aerobic Base, Periodized Strength Training, and Specific Muscular Endurance workouts that will have you carrying heavy packs up the steepest hill you can find. With our proven methodology you’ll gain the physical strength, endurance, and mental resilience necessary to tackle any big mountain expedition.
This plan is based on your RPE, or “Rate of Perceived Exertion,” where workout intensities are guided by how hard you are working based on your perception of effort (how hard the workout feels to you) rather than by heart rate. This plan is an adapted option for those who want to learn to calibrate their true effort levels in their workouts. For the HR-based version of this plan, click here.
Whether you use an RPE-based or heart rate-based training plan, we recommend that you use a chest-strap heart rate monitor and GPS watch to log all your training.
Smartwatch compatibility for strength workouts will be added to all our training plans in 2024.
Our plan includes three key training blocks focusing on building an Aerobic Base, engaging in Periodized Strength Training, and enhancing Specific Muscular Endurance. These components build upon one another to prepare you for the physical demands, including carrying heavy packs, common during high-altitude expeditions.
In 2024 we will introduce a plan that supports normo-baric hypoxic preparation, aka hypoxico tents or pre-acclimatization.
Can’t decide? Try our training plan navigator or contact us.
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