Move Mountains. This is your 16-week challenge to build incredible functional strength and push past limits.
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This revolutionary strength program addresses a key need for backcountry hunters and athletes: rebuilding strength after a physically demanding season. Many lose muscle mass due to intense cardio, and this program provides a strategic strength progression to replenish and elevate baseline strength while maintaining optimal function and athleticism.
Drawing on five years of insight and testing in the MTNTOUGH Lab, this comprehensive regimen helps athletes feel strong and healthy within its approach to traditional strength training. By intentionally focusing on lower-risk, high-reward movements like hip thrusts, heavy step-ups, and Bulgarian split squats, we prioritize resilience and reducing stress on the spine after a long season of carrying heavy loads. The program takes a step away from Barbell Back Squats and highlights Barbell Deadlifts as one of the primary compound lifts each week. Other primary lifts include Military Press, Weighted Dips, and Weighted Pull-ups. Whether you're a hunter or someone looking to build resilience, this 16-week program is designed to boost strength while keeping you healthy for long-term performance.
MTNTOUGH Post Season Strength 2.0 is an incredible 16-week program built in 3 distinct phases to help you rebuild strength and proper function after a taxing hunting season. The program is also accessible to non-hunters looking to get stronger and feel better.
Designed to ease you back into basic fundamental movement, range of motion, balance, and stability. It will also help you determine your “starting point” in the program (general strength level, conditioning level).
Four-week phase using bodyweight, dumbbells, and bands to reestablish movement patterns, improve joint health, and focus on balance and stability. Minimal barbell work ensures you start with strong, healthy foundations. You will see basic Sled pushes and pulls to start challenging your strength and endurance.
Nine-week progression through compound lifts—deadlifts, military press, weighted dips, pull-ups, and hip thrusts – paired with functional iso lateral strength movements like Bulgarian Split Squats and Step Ups. You will also see a deliberate increase in your Sled load. Approximately every 3 weeks, your accessory movements, prehab exercises, conditioning intensities, and rep counts will deliberately shift to offer new stimulus and adaptation patterns.
The last two weeks of Postseason Strength 2.0 are meant to put your strength to the test. The weekly flow and primary lifts remain consistent, though we implement alternative rep schemes and structures to increase volume and challenge your strength endurance.
Dumbbells
Barbells/Plates
Kettlebells
Pull-up bar
Step/box/cooler
Glute bands
Cardio Machine (Assault bike, rower, Ski Erg)
Treadmill (or place to cover ground)
Dustin Diefenderfer helps individuals reach their specific personal and professional goals by pushing them to become more mentally tough. An ultramarathoner and backcountry hunter, Dustin focuses on mountain and hunting conditioning to achieve success in all aspects of life. A National Academy of Sports Medicine Certified Personal Trainer, Dustin’s overall philosophy is based on work ethic, grit and helping his clients learn to be comfortable being uncomfortable.
Passionate about bridging the gap between rehab and performance, Dr. Nick Bechtold has been coaching mountain and military tactical athletes for over two years while also running a physical therapy practice, Movement Physio, with his wife, Anna, in an office directly located within the MTNTOUGH Fitness Lab.
An orthopedic physical therapist, Nick is certified by the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties. He’s also certified as a strength and conditioning specialist by the National Strength and Conditioning Association. A Montana native, Nick was born and raised in Billings, and earned a B.A. in human biology and a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from the University of Montana.
Sarah graduated from Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN, after playing 4 years of Division 1 Varsity soccer for the Commodores. After training with some of the finest in the SEC, she discovered her passion for coaching, working to develop strength and fitness in all levels of athlete. Sarah has been a NASM-certified personal trainer and strength coach for over 16 years, coaching youth, boot camp athletes, professional athletes, backcountry hunters, and military operators. She holds a Performance Enhancement Specialization as well as a Corrective Exercise Specialization. Sarah is gifted in the design of creative programming to motivate and inspire MTNTOUGHers to conquer both physical and mental challenges. Her insight and quality coaching creates connection, motivation, and discipline in the lives of those she serves, all while encouraging physical longevity and resilience for the mountain athlete.
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MTNTOUGH Fitness Lab believes eliminating psychological barriers is the key to reaching your goals. Their team, which includes former US Navy SEALs and Army Rangers knows the most important muscle you can train sits between your ears.
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Research and Development is at their core, and they spent over two years testing their MTNTOUGH Backcountry Hunter Preseason Prep program on some of the world’s most dedicated mountain hunters.
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MTNTOUGH Fitness Lab has established itself as the elite source for improving mental toughness, physical preparation, and performance research for the backcountry hunter.
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The Best Heavy Pack Workout to Build the Strength and Endurance for Backcountry Hunting. Forge the muscle endurance and strength needed for backcountry hunting with MTNTOUGH Fitness' heavy pack workout.
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Programs for the gym, home gym or body weight. MTNTOUGH+ has on-demand workouts on your phone, tablet, TV or computer. Location is not an excuse.
Wold-class industry trainers, former military leaders, and avid backcountry hunters will keep you encouraged, motivated and on the correct path.
Programs are meticulously and scientifically tested in the Lab with local athletes before release so they are effective, safe, and improve your odds in the feild.
