Any of their programs? I'm thinking about purchasing one of their programs and wondering if anyone has any experience to share. Did you like it? Did you notice a difference in your strength/conditioning compared to your normal workouts? Any thoughts appreciated. Thanks.

His stuff is pretty good. I used to follow it when he posted workouts for free. Now that he charges for it, I don't, plus he used to be pretty responsive and helpful, now not so much. I think the press he's gotten has gone to his head.
Try crossfit.com, and sealfit.com. Read "starting strength" by Mark Rippetoe as well.
I find I'm well prepared for most of my objectives with about 4-5 sessions a week of mtnathlete style workouts (Grand Teton, Rainier (lib ridge), weekend warrior stuff)
You have to work up to it and ease into it. For flatland desk jockey's (like myself) I find it is far and away the most time-efficient and effective way to train.

I am working through his "Big Mountain" program now. Good stuff, 1 hour of solid work 5 days a week. After a couple years of CrossFit, I am finding the MA program more of a long grind versus a sprint of many routine CrossFit workouts.

If your routine has been a few weights and lots of running/biking, etc. the MA program or the programs bird mentioned will no doubt increase stength, which proves handy in many aspects of my life, my climbing included.

Oh, and I am having a ball doing it (although the workouts may not seem like much fun when you are doing them)!

sshankle wrote:I am working through his "Big Mountain" program now. Good stuff, 1 hour of solid work 5 days a week. After a couple years of CrossFit, I am finding the MA program more of a long grind versus a sprint of many routine CrossFit workouts.

If your routine has been a few weights and lots of running/biking, etc. the MA program or the programs bird mentioned will no doubt increase stength, which proves handy in many aspects of my life, my climbing included.

Oh, and I am having a ball doing it (although the workouts may not seem like much fun when you are doing them)!

Awesome, I was thinking about getting the Big Mountain routine in preparation for Denali next May. I've been doing, as you described, a few weights and lots of cardio up until now. Kind of bummed at how expensive the routines are. I don't suppose you'd be willing to send me that .pdf would you?

I am also looking at MA. They sent me a sample of the workouts for #30, 31 and #32. Looks a little confusing and much more than an hour workout. I am currently following this workout and am in month 4.5 of it for a January climb..

http://www.alpineascents.com/denali-train.asp

It served me well for Denali just looking for a change!

Scotty I've checked out that routine - seems straightforward and probably quite effective.

I'm interested in seeing the differences between the MA Big Mountain routine and the Alpine Ascents routine.


I'm surprised more people on here haven't tried MA!

AAI Program = old school, tried and true, long slow distance biased crosstraining

MA Program = new school, less "proven", strength and intensity biased crosstraining

The MA Big Mountain program is a progressive 12 week program. I had my first workout today, 3 weeks in, that was significantly more than an hour (a stamina focus workout at ~90 min.):

3 miles
80 deadlifts and 500 stepups (split up in rounds)
3 miles

2 weeks of similar workouts here, but be careful:
http://www.militaryathlete.com/page.php?page_ID=49

Scott

Thanks for the link Scott, hope your training continues do go well!

I did the 100 Curtis P workout today. Ouch!