Prior to starting these programs I searched online for Mountain Tough program reviews but couldn’t really find any info. So, here are reviews for two MTNTOUGH+ programs: Minimal Gear On-Ramp and Minimal Gear Foundation.
Mountain Tough develops physical training programs that focus on increasing human performance in the mountains. While their main focus is on hunting and preparing you for multi-day hunts in the back country where you’ll be carrying a heavy pack on your back for days on end, I’ve found that their training plans can also prepare you for other events exclusive to hunting. Hiking, general fitness, functional fitness, work capacity, mobility, strength and strength endurance are present across their program offerings. I for one am not a hunter, but have found their programming useful for my goals of increased general fitness with long distance hiking in mind.
Here I’ll be reviewing two of their programs - Minimal Gear On-Ramp and Minimal Gear Foundation, both of which are designed for either beginners in the world of fitness or for those using Mountain Tough for the first time. On-Ramp is a 2 week program with 3 workouts per week that leads directly into Foundation, a 4 week program with 5 workouts per week. Each program is rated as a 1 on their difficulty scale (ranges from 1 to 3).
Their “Minimal Gear” philosophy is one that creates training programs for those who have limited access to equipment. Across the two programs the only equipment I used was: Kettlebells (8-16kg), Dumbbells (5-25lbs, but could be interchanged with kettlebells if your space or equipment is limited), a pull-up bar, and a 16” tall box for step-up related movements (you can also use something like a cooler if you have one at home already).
The stated description of Minimal Gear On-Ramp is: “Begin your mountain-ready fitness with MTNTOUGH Minimal Gear On-Ramp, a beginner-friendly program designed to eliminate home workout intimidation for aspiring mountain athletes. This follow-along program, supported by self-guided PDFs, guides you through functional, dynamic movements using minimal gear to build confidence, mobility, and full-body strength over two weeks, preparing you for rugged terrain. Ideal for those with no prior workout experience.”
Overall, I have a favorable impression of On-Ramp. I have 10+ years of training experience, so not much was brand new for me, which I was completely alright with. It was a great way to introduce me to their movements, programming style and to get moving without too much intensity - and that’s by design. This is meant as a warm-up for their other programs, not a super intense program in and of itself.
The workouts themselves usually consist of 3 sections: a warmup, workout and cooldown. The warmup and cooldown are both adequate and great if you want to follow along in the videos. I would usually use the accompanying PDFs (included in the subscription) during my workout instead of watching the videos, and would substitute in my own warmup and cooldown, as I have some tried and true methods that I’ve come to really like over the years. Nothing against their programmed events, so don’t view this as a slight in any way.
The workouts themselves almost always included some form of block based training on a timer, think circuit training style. For example, a block could be: 3 Rounds of 45s Goblet Squats, 45s Dumbbell Rows, 45s Situps and 45s Pushups with 15s rest between each movement. Then a slightly longer rest before moving into an additional block (or blocks) of training. Sometimes they would incorporate a “buy-in” between the warmup and training blocks. This was usually some form of AMRAP (As Many Rounds as Possible) where you have a set list of exercises and reps that you work through as quickly as possible in a set time frame, usually less than 3-4 minutes. This could also be incorporated as a “buy-out” between the final training block and cooldown. If you follow along with the videos, each session lasts between 30 and 40 minutes.
After completing the 6 sessions of On-Ramp, I moved straight into the Foundation. They’re designed to be completed one after the other, and I felt that the transition felt natural and reasonably progressed. The program design is similar to on-ramp, but with some additional days of what the trainers refer to as “flush days”. These are usually less intense training days designed to keep you moving, get blood flowing to aid with recovery and to prepare you for workouts later in the week. They seemed to focus a bit more on core and light cardio than the training blocks I previously mentioned, which I found focused on improving combinations of strength endurance, aerobic capacity or work capacity. Plyometric movements such as Squat Jumps, Jumping Jacks and Burpees increased in frequency as the program progressed.
Workouts in foundation last a bit longer, around 35 - 45 minutes, and increase the duration of the training blocks themselves. With appropriate loading I got good workouts in and felt like I physically improved over the 4 weeks. The overall program is very similar to On-Ramp, by design, and it felt like I was actually completing a single 6 week program rather than 2 separate programs.
Things I liked:
-Well laid out workouts, accessible by both video and PDFs that I could download
-Clearly demonstrated exercises in the videos, top notch production quality, easy to access website or mobile app
-Great trainer (Sarah) in the videos that explains the training well and provides encouragement throughout the session
-Logical progression for increased frequency of training, training volume and overall challenge of the workouts
-Big focus on legs and core strength
-Lots of exercises that I rarely or never did solo
-Exercises that moved me through multiple planes of movement. I often found myself doing exercises that required me to move forward, backwards, laterally or in a combination of those directions. I feel like this really helped me increase my athleticism and core strength. For example, box step ups to kettlebell reverse lunges were one of my favorite exercises in the program since it worked on so many elements of fitness simultaneously.
-Twisting/rotational and isometric core exercises present
-Grip strength work, both incidental and specifically programmed
Things I didn’t like:
-There were no included recommendations for how to incorporate hiking alongside the programs, which seems odd to me since one of the stated goals is to prepare you for rugged terrain. I understand that the goal of these more generalized, beginner programs is to lay the groundwork for more difficult Mountain Tough Programs, however I’d love some info on Mountain Tough’s Philosophy on how to transfer the work I did in the gym to the great outdoors. I think it would help me train with a more holistic mindset and with the ultimate goal of being in the mountains, or in my case doing long distance, multi day hiking trips, in mind.
-I wouldn’t personally recommend Minimal Gear On-Ramp to someone who has never exercised before. The exercises/movements themselves are great, but I’d introduce someone to fitness via calisthenics instead of in the minimal gear format. Example: I’d start a complete newbie off with bodyweight walking lunges and squats instead of weighted walking lunges and goblet squats. This is purely personal preference, and I’m sure many people new to fitness prefer to jump into using some light weights right away. If the bodyweight approach is more your style, Mountain Tough also has Bodyweight On-Ramp and Foundation programs that you can use. They seem like a great way to flow into the Minimal Gear programs if you’d like a slightly different entry point.
Final Thoughts: Overall, great programs! I wanted some aspect of movement over ground in my training so I would do 4 days of Mountain Tough and 2 days of self programmed running each week. I also occasionally did some Mountain Tough Yoga On-Ramp sessions during the first few weeks of my training. I definitely feel like my strength endurance and work capacity benefitted most from these programs, along with some smaller strength benefits.
I’ve now moved onto the Kettlebell 20 Program (difficulty 2 out of 3), which ups the intensity and volume of the workouts. I felt like it was a nice transition, a bit bigger of a jump than from On-Ramp to Foundation, but nothing too crazy. I could definitely tell that I’m officially on their standard programming now, and I’ve been enjoying it. Might write another review once I finish it. Feel free to ask any questions you may have, happy to answer them.