[14rcole]

I’m starting training to climb Mt. Shasta next May/June.  My AeT is about 138.  I haven’t tested my AnT yet, but given my training background I’m assuming for now that I’m aerobically deficient.  Because of this, I’m looking for ways to increase my Z1/Z2 training as much as possible.  I currently run ~4 hours per week and bike another 1-2.  As my joints adapt to the running and my ADS improves I’d like to transition most of that biking to running.  In the meantime though, It’s difficult for me to find time during the week to train.  I have a 12″ box and would be able to do box step-ups while working for parts of my workday.  Assuming that the step-ups are unweighted, would this be a reasonable way of building an aerobic base?  Or are the muscular demands too high?

[Brian Bauer]

Hey,

so I am not the expert here, but I can tell how my Evoke coach has me using box-steps: Box-steps, 2 legged jumps, single leg jump lunges and single leg lunges fit into the Muscular Endurance.(ME) category, which is different that the Aerobic conditioning category.  Aerobic conditioning which is generally classified by the Z1 – Z4 zones as well as AeT, LT, etc is a bit different than working on generating prolonged explosive power( ME).  So as a prescription for ADS or base aerobic conditioning, I don’t think that’s where box-steps and jumps fit in.  Box Steps can be an important part of training, but probably not part of aerobic training.

[Scott Johnston]

Box steps can be used for aerobic base training. BUT….can you do the same workout day after day after day?  Possibly but unlikely.  Most likely the local muscular fatigue in your legs will limit your ability to do much volume of this.  If that’s the case then this will be ab ME workout for you and not an Aerobic base building workout.

I hope this helps.

Scott

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