Fitness Training Programmes

Preparation is a key ingredient to a successful expedition. Not only do we wish all our team members to successfully achieve their goals but a good standard of fitness will ensure you have fun doing so!

Whether you are embarking on a multi-week expedition to an 8,000er or a lower altitude hiking trip, training is vital. For this reason, we are happy to provide information relating to training, skills and prerequisites specific to each objective. Please also contact our office with any questions around your specific training requirements.

Uphill Athlete

Training for mountaineering and climbing is complicated and many of you have questions about how to best proceed. Or perhaps you don’t have the time to plan your training and would like to follow a plan designed by experts. Adventure Consultants has partnered with Uphill Athlete (by Steve House and Scott Johnston) to create scientifically sound training plans designed by two professional coaches and leading mountaineers.

Regardless of your mountaineering objective, Uphill Athlete has plans to suit everyone. From those looking for an introductory mountaineering experience through to those aspiring to big mountains like Denali, Cho Oyu and Everest, everyone benefits from the guidance, wisdom and convenience of an online fitness coach. For expedition objectives, Steve and Scott recommend a minimum of four months and ideally six to seven months to prepare for an 8,000m peak ascent. 

Uphill Athlete training plans provide a range of options from short 8-week programs through to 6-month programs, as well as trip specific plans, for example for Mont Blanc Ascents and Trekking in the Everest region. When you purchase a plan you will choose a start date and once the program begins you will receive an email each morning containing that day's workout. Summaries of each plan can be found at Training Peaks Uphill Athlete. 

Uphill Athlete also offers custom built plans and one-on-one online fitness coaching. Every day's workout will be custom built for you, your fitness and to your schedule by Steve House or Scott Johnston. The fees include unlimited email communication with your coach and weekly phone consults as needed. If you are interested in online coaching, you can contact Steve directly via email.

Steve House and Scott Johnston are both highly accomplished mountaineers who have dedicated their lives to mountaineering. In 2014 these two published their best-selling book 'Training for the New Alpinism'. They are the undisputed authorities on training for mountaineering. Adventure Consultants has worked with Steve and Scott to develop training plans for clients that use the best training techniques for mountaineering and set you up for many safe and successful climbs.

What our past clients have said about Uphill Athlete:

“Scott has got me to a place I have not been before with fitness and I am very grateful for his assistance. I feel I am in a better place than previous climbs and hoping this will assist me on the mountain."
Roy, AC Everest 2016

“I felt a little silly at first, hiring a coach. It just seemed a little too fancy for little old me but now that I’ve had some coaching I don’t feel that way at all. I highly recommend getting some help on your own training goals.”
Alex, Denali 2015

“It is amazing to have someone checking in to be sure you’re not pushing to the point of injury and creating flexible and adaptive plans based on your body’s response to your training on a daily basis. I was expecting a personal trainer’s attitude of “push push push!” but what I got was very well educated and measured input.”
Peter, Alps 2015

"I had trained with Uphill Athlete before and had enjoyed their scientific approach to getting my body tuned up for the hardship of climbing... Steve’s plan made me progressively stronger over the months."
Kah Shin, Triple Crown 2018. Read Kah Shin's full article here.

Simulated and Pre-Trip High Altitude Training

Training in a simulated high altitude environment has scientifically proven health and performance benefits. Altitude training has been a method employed by high performance athletes for a number of years, and now increasing numbers of centres are making these facilities available to the wider public. But it's not just for athletes and mountaineers - trekkers and skiers have also benefited from training in a simulated high altitude environment. Simulated high altitude training can offer the benefit of pre-acclimatisation which can help your body adjust faster to the lower levels of oxygen while you're trekking and climbing, giving you the best opportunity to achieve your goals. For further information check out some of our High Altitude Training Partners.

Similar results can also be achieved by pre-acclimatising on peaks smaller than your main mountaineering objective. For example, for those climbing in the European Alps we offer a 2 day Pre-Course and Acclimatisation Programme, that provides training and pre-acclimatisation climbs in the lead up to your trip. For Aconcagua, we offer the Cerro el Plomo pre-acclimatisation climb. Contact us for further information about how we can assist in organising alternative pre-acclimatisation climbs prior to your expedition.