“I typically prescribe two to three sets of eight to 12 repetitions, but have had people start with as little as two reps, depending on their conditioning.
“Make sure to stay tall through your spine throughout the movement and perform on both your right and left legs.”
The accompanying photo shows the proper “down” position. By the way, if you are older and have difficulty with balance, it’s okay to steady yourself by putting one hand on a wall or piece of furniture.
Now the dreaded CRP grass.
All gyms have elastic flexion bands of varying sizes and strengths. These are simply giant rubber bands of various degrees of resistance. You can loop them around your ankles, or above the knees, and walk with them. Or you can try what Jeremy calls the “banded hip flexion.” You put the band around your ankles, lean forward on a wall, and then march (see first photo.)
Jeremy recommends eight to 12 repetitions, alternating legs, two to three sets. These can be done every day, or every second day, working up as your legs get stronger.
Another good exercise is step-ups. Again, eight to 12 reps, two to three sets, alternating legs. That one can be augmented, as well, by holding weights in one or both hands.
As we get older, the motion of dropping onto the stomach, crawling, and then leaping back to your feet—easy as hell when you’re ten—becomes progressively more difficult, what with creaking knees, hip replacements, and the like. Don’t forget to do a few of those at the beginning of every session, and a few more at the end.
Our third photo illustrates Jeremy in mid-move, getting back to his feet. It begins with a push-up motion, knees on the ground, then one leg pulled up, and rising from there. Looks easy? It is—eventually.
These are just three exercises Jeremy recommends, but you can see more, along with some stretching exercises, at his website www.stayfittohunt.com. His phone number is (314) 807-8634, and he’s happy to take calls and answer questions. He has more than 400 instruction videos. You can sign up at various levels of intensity and expense, and find a program geared specifically to the type of hunting you do.
Gray’s shooting editor, Terry Wieland, has found that as you get older it’s easier to stay in shape than to slack off and then have to start again from the beginning. Eventually, you run out of beginnings. Or so he’s heard.
