[Josh Gray]

Next week begins my first session of the mountaineering ME workout. I have access to a hill that gains 1300’ and averages 40% grade for the most part though it’s a 45 minute drive. I’ve been using it for my steep Z3 sessions as well as weekend weighted hikes and doing 2-3 laps. I know I will have to do multiple laps in my ME work to get the prescribed time. It takes me about 2/3 of my ascent to descend. I have a community center nearby that would be about the price of gas per session to use there Stairmaster. My question is would doing my ME workouts on a Stepmill be as or more effective, with unbroken climbing, as doing repeats on my hill? Of course I would continue to do my long weekend sessions outdoors on mountainous terrain

[Scott Johnston]

Josh:

If your “step mill” is of the escalator type, then you should be able to get a very good ME training effect on it.  As you progress, you can use some of the saved drive time to extend the ME sessions on the machine.  Your hill sounds perfect, though, so maybe occasionally toss in a session there. 40% is very steep and probably will give some good technique training for balance and coordination on steep, rough ground.

Thanks for writing in.

Scott

[Josh Gray]

Well, I just finished my first ME session on the stairmaster and holy cow that was tough. Solid  leg burn the whole time. Decided to go with 40 lbs annd just 30 minutes before dropping pack annd moving to athe treadmill. HR stayed 10-15 beats under AeT.  I think based on your advice I’ll do the majority of my ME indoors and have a couple strategic up & down sessions on my steep hill. Thanks again Scott!

• This reply was modified 1 year, 5 months ago by Josh Gray.

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