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Hard to beat field training with a weighted pack on your back. The weight training builds muscle and strength but the muscles used often in carrying a heavy pack over terrain and inclines aren't hit directly when training with weights or even on a treadmill or jogging. Carrying a weighted pack on similar hikes and climbs mimics the actual hunt scenario and will best prepare someone for that experience. Coupled with weight training is the perfect training regiment.
I have a leg press/ hack squat machine. I do fairly light squats then follow up with hack squats which is a more restricted squat with a weight on track rails. It's a strict form with less chance of injury from bad form. I think most older adults can squat their own body weight with great results. High reps and 5-6 sets would be a great leg workout for most that don't want to build muscle but rather keep good leg conditioning.
Spoken like a true Washingtonian!
As mentioned I just do 80 before a hunt. I agree it's probably a little to much for the joints. But not having many hills around 50 pounds feels to easy like I'm not getting much of a workout sometimes. I use a mystery ranch crew cab 7500 with the smart frame which puts the weight on your hips not your back. They don't make this pack anymore. Comparing my buddies packs and even the new mystery ranch packs it has the thickest padding I've ever seen personally on any pack, very comfortable with heavy loads.
I think to use an 80lb number is too general. For many younger backpack hunters and even older very fit and strong backpackers, 80 lbs isn't a weight that will do damage to joints. Especially when those same people train before those trips and even year long doing resistance training and weight training. Even for me, 80lbs isn't a weight that is hard on my joints. Training my whole life has really helped my knees and other joints from injury. Tendon strength and muscle built around those areas protects them well. There's a weight that IS too heavy for each person and when training, you'll know what number that is. Stay 20-25% under that number. That will keep joints safe from incline training and unstable terrain. I have a breakaway pack that I can drop instantly if I get into a situation that I need to unload weight. It's a homemade invention that's saved me from back injury when terrain causes a slip or body twist torque scenario. My hunting pack weight isn't nearly as heavy as what I train with.
Almost 60, I'm squatting fairly light 225. Starting at 135 for 3 sets of 20. Then 225 for 2 sets of 10. My heavy leg days are behind me also. It's all about reps and keeping it fairly easy on the joints but still building the tendons and muscle around the joints. Treadmill workouts are a must for cardio and endurance training. For me, I need alot more protein oriented foods than I did in my 30s. A lot less carbs and fat foods. Believe me when you get past the mid 40s, keeping muscle and strength is much more work. It's like tying my shoes now so it's an everyday regiment and part of my life. Just requires more work to maintain and keep weigh off and strength and endurance up. My next mountain hunt is October and my pack weight is at 65 lbs right now. It'll max out at around 100 lbs. My actual backpack is only going to be 40-45lbs. Hauling quarters can be upward of 100lbs so that training pays off for hauling meat off the mountain.
This is 100% false
Diet is one of the most important factors that people training neglect. I Hope I'm still in as good a shape as you at 60.
