Elk hunting isn’t a trail walk. If you can hit a bullseye at 100 yards but can’t breathe at 9,000 feet, you’re not ready. Elk live where the air is thin, the terrain is brutal, and your average “leg day” doesn’t cut it.
Clint Kingston, Slayer Calls pro-staffer and diehard bowhunter from Idaho, knows this better than most. At 19, he was 235 pounds and dreamed of killing a bull by road hunting with buddies and beers — not boots and sweat. Fast forward to today, he’s 70 pounds lighter, packing bulls out solo, and chasing elk miles into the Rockies. What changed? He got mountain-ready.
“You build confidence around your own capabilities,” Kingston says. “I don’t let location or terrain dictate the pursuit anymore. If the elk go deep, so do I.”
Success in the elk woods isn’t just about sounding good on a bugle — it’s about being able to go where elk go and keep going when your body wants to quit.
Why Fitness is Non-Negotiable for Elk Hunters
Here’s what the mountains demand:
- 8–12 miles per day on foot, often off-trail
- Steep elevation gains/losses (1,500–3,000 ft/day)
- Heavy pack-outs of 30–100+ lbs
- High elevation hunting (7,000–11,000 ft), where oxygen is scarce
-
Cold temps, unpredictable weather, and physical exhaustion
Without preparation, fatigue sets in early. Your shooting form suffers. Your mental sharpness fades. Your risk of injury goes up.
“It’s been a game-changer,” Kingston says. “I used to hesitate to leave the road. Now, I know I can haul an elk off a mountain solo. You don’t build that without physical and mental discipline.”
Bottom line: You can’t outcall or outglass poor conditioning.
No-Excuse Tools: Top Training Programs for Elk Hunters
Reaching your elk season goals isn’t just about having the right workouts — it’s about staying consistent when motivation fades. That’s where accountability comes in. The best training programs don’t just eliminate guesswork — they help you stay on track, push through excuses, and show up when it counts.
Whether you need structured coaching, a community to compete with, or daily reminders to stay the course, these fitness platforms are built to keep you dialed and ready for the hunt.
1st Phorm App
Training, nutrition, and daily accountability in one app.
More than just workouts, the 1st Phorm app includes macro tracking, progress logs, and real coaching support — perfect for self-driven hunters who want to level up.
- Custom programs + supplement guidance
- Built-in check-ins with real coaches
- Great for fitness + weight loss + strength
Kingston calls this app his #1 resource: “It tracks my carbs, fats, and proteins and comes with a personal advisor. It’s how I stay disciplined and measure my progress daily.”
MTNTOUGH+
The gold standard for backcountry hunters.
MTNTOUGH offers mental and physical training designed for the brutal realities of western hunts. Their Backcountry Hunter Preseason Prep is a favorite among elk hunters.
- Gym + minimal gear options
- Offline app for backcountry use
- Designed by mountain athletes, tested by military
ElkShape
For hunters who want to train, shoot, and scout with intention.
Created by Dan Staton, ElkShape isn’t just about workouts — it’s a full-on elk hunting system. The focus: build discipline in fitness, faith, finances, family, and fieldcraft.
- ElkShape Camps for live training
- Training built around season prep
- Strong focus on gear, archery, and mental prep
Hunt Lift Eat (HLE Training)
Hunting, lifting, and the no-BS grind.
HLE Training blends traditional lifting with backcountry functionality. Their “Harder to Kill” mindset drives programming that’s ideal for hunters who live in the gym but train for the field.
- Programs for men & women
- Strength-focused, no-fluff training
- Tight-knit hunting fitness community
Train To Hunt
Functional fitness for real-world hunting demands.
Known for their live competitions, TTH is perfect if you want to simulate stress under load — with pack-outs, shooting under fatigue, and movement-based training.
- Pack-based workouts
- Programs and in-person events
- Great for community and accountability
Mountain Ready / SOFLETE
Where backcountry hunting meets tactical grit.
Ideal for those with a military or LEO background, programs like Mountain Ready Fit and SOFLETE focus on strength, endurance, and rucking under load in harsh conditions.
- Mental toughness + physical durability
- Gym and ruck-specific programs
- Community of hard chargers
Garage Gym Athlete / Hard to Kill Fitness
Train anywhere, anytime.
For hunters training from home or with minimal gear, these platforms offer flexible, effective programs you can follow without a full gym setup. Check out Garage Gym Athlete and Hard to Kill Fitness.
- Daily programming with low equipment needs
- Strength, endurance, and functional fitness
- Great for busy schedules or rural living
What Kind of Elk Hunter Are You?
|
Goal |
Best Program(s) |
|
Mountain-specific fitness |
MTNTOUGH, ElkShape, Train To Hunt |
|
Strength + Gym-based training |
Hunt Lift Eat, 1st Phorm, SOFLETE |
|
Mental and tactical durability |
Mountain Ready, ElkShape, MTNTOUGH |
|
Minimal equipment workouts |
Garage Gym Athlete, Hard to Kill Fitness |
|
Accountability + nutrition |
1st Phorm App, ElkShape |
|
Real-world stress simulations |
Train To Hunt, ElkShape |
Ready to Train?
There’s no excuse anymore — whether you’ve got a full gym or just a weighted pack and a staircase. Choose the style that fits your lifestyle, stay consistent, and walk into elk season already two steps ahead.
Real People to Follow for Motivation & Accountability
Need a kick in the pants? Or maybe just someone to remind you it’s time to get your pack on and hit the incline? These are the people who live the backcountry lifestyle — and post the kind of real, raw content that’ll keep you motivated when the couch starts looking better than the trail.
Here are a few worth following:
Clint Kingston – @clintkingston1
Backcountry bowhunter. Slayer pro. Discipline-first mindset.
Clint’s story is pure transformation — from out-of-shape road hunter to solo elk pack-outs in the Idaho backcountry. He’s lost 70 pounds, built mountain-ready grit, and harvests elk year after year with his bow. Clint shares practical insights on fitness, nutrition, and staying mentally sharp in the field. If you want real-world advice from a guy who’s lived both sides of the mountain hunter lifestyle, Clint’s the follow.
Jake Arvold – @jakearvold
Elk hunter. Lifter. Family man. No-BS mindset.
Jake is one of the most relatable guys in the elk space. He trains hard, hunts harder, and shares brutally honest insights on fitness, hunting, and what it takes to be ready in the mountains. If you want a daily dose of tough love and tactical advice, he’s your guy.
Dan Staton (ElkShape) – @elkshape
Discipline over motivation.
Dan’s whole brand is built around showing up for yourself every day. He shares workouts, archery tips, elk camp prep, and mindset training that goes way beyond surface-level.
Dr. Preston Ward (MTN Physio) – @mtn_physio
Performance PT for mountain athletes.
Dr. Ward blends clinical knowledge with real-world hunting demands. His content helps hunters prevent injury, recover better, and move more efficiently — exactly what you want when packing out an elk solo.
Peaked Out Adventures – @peakedoutadventures
Hunt + fitness + mindset coaching.
This crew’s feed is all about preparation — from the gym to the mountain. Expect workouts, hunt content, and strong accountability vibes from a team that trains with purpose.
Jordan Budd – @jordan.budd
Backcountry athlete, trainer, and bowhunter.
Jordan walks the talk in every way — sharing strength and endurance training for hunting, pack-out simulations, and mountain-tested gear reviews. She's part of the MTNTOUGH crew and a legit authority on being mountain-ready.
Bert Sorin – @bertsorin
President of Sorinex. Passionate outdoorsman.
If you’re into iron, elk, and excellence, Bert’s feed delivers. He mixes heavy lifting, outdoor grit, and leadership mindset in a way that hits home for serious hunters and athletes.
Hunt Lift Eat – @huntlifteatofficial
Community-driven fitness + hunting lifestyle.
From motivational posts and training challenges to their team of coaches and ambassadors, HLE’s Instagram is packed with content to fire you up and remind you that “Harder to Kill” is a lifestyle, not a slogan.
Brian “Barbell” Call – @brian_call
Gritty Podcast host + hard-charging backcountry bowhunter.
Brian shares detailed elk hunting strategies, gear breakdowns, and real-deal conditioning content — plus tons of hunt footage and lessons from the field.
Cody Rich (Backcountry Fuel / Rich Outdoors) – @therichoutdoors
Entrepreneur. Bowhunter. Mountain athlete.
Cody brings a mix of hunting, nutrition, and backcountry living. His take on balancing business, fitness, and elk obsession is relatable and motivating for anyone with a full plate.
Final Word
You don’t train for comfort — you train to go farther, hunt harder, and make it home with meat on your back. With today’s tools — from elite apps like 1st Phorm and MTNTOUGH to a simple dose of daily discipline — there’s zero excuse to hit the mountains unprepared. Your legs, lungs, and tag will thank you.
Clint Kingston’s Best Advice? Master the Fundamentals.
“If I had to distill it all down: Be disciplined and consistent to the fundamentals. Know your calories, protein intake, water goals, and keep moving. If you’re not measuring, you’re not improving.”
Coming up in Part 2: Slayer’s full 6-week training plan to kickstart your elk season prep.
