The Training For Mountaineering Podcast

Rowan Smith: Mountaineering Fitness Coach

The Training For Mountaineering Podcast is created to help mountaineers and alpinists best train, prepare and conquer their mountain adventures. Rowan shares with you the simple and proven training strategies to get you fit, strong and resilient for the mountain. Inside he dives into training, injury prevention, nutrition, mental strength and much much more. So you can have the best chance of a safe, enjoyable and successful adventure!

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94 episodes
Updated July 30

Episodes94

Newest first

July 30 · 39 min
TFM93: Training For Mt. Rainier's Emmons Glacier Route: Jackie's Story
In this episode, I interview Summit Strength client Jackie about her recent climb of Mt. Rainier, following the Emmons Glacier Route. Inside, she shares some insights about her training and mental preparation, and also her experiences on the mountain. == Interested in online training for mountaineering? Check out the Online Summit Program: https://www.summitstrength.com.au/mountaineer.html
June 25 · 32 min
TFM92: Training To Summit Everest: Interview With Shika
On 21 May 2026, Summit Strength client Shika stood on top of Mount Everest after eight years of climbing and four months of structured preparation with Rowan. In this episode she shares how she trained for the mountain, how she managed the competing demands of work and a master's thesis without burning out, and what summit day actually felt like. If you're dreaming of a serious adventure and wondering whether your body can handle it, this one is for you. == Interested in online training for mountaineering? Check out the Online Summit Program: https://www.summitstrength.com.au/mountaineer.html
June 12 · 8 min
TFM91: Anxious Before A Big Adventure? Try This Mindset Technique
In this episode, I explore a dead-simple mindset technique a mountaineer can use to manage stress and nerves in the lead-up to a challenging expedition. == Interested in online training for mountaineering? Check out the Online Summit Program: https://www.summitstrength.com.au/mountaineer.html
June 5 · 10 min
TFM90: Breaking Up Long Cardio For Mountaineers
In this episode, I explore whether breaking up your long cardio days into shorter sessions throughout the week is an effective or recommended strategy to help manage scheduling. == Interested in online training for mountaineering? Check out the Online Summit Program: https://www.summitstrength.com.au/mountaineer.html
May 29 · 21 min
TFM89: Judging Intensity During Strength Training
In this episode, I explore how a mountaineer should (and should not) judge the intensity of their strength training. == Interested in online training for mountaineering? Check out the Online Summit Program: https://www.summitstrength.com.au/mountaineer.html
May 22 · 12 min
TFM88: Your Memory Sucks
If you are going through training for a mountaineering journey, don't fool yourself into thinking your memory is reliable. This episode explores why this is an important subject to be aware of and a simple strategy to help. == Interested in online training for mountaineering? Check out the Online Summit Program: https://www.summitstrength.com.au/mountaineer.html
May 16 · 13 min
TFM87: Active Recovery For Mountaineers
Most mountainers are aware that recovery during their time is important. But the actual application of recovery protocols and strategies in the mountaineering community often leaves a lot to be desired... one aspect of recovery which often doesn't get applied well is 'active' recovery. In this episode, we explore this topic and dive into: What active recovery is (and why it can be valuable for mountaineers in training) Common mistakes I often see from mountaineers with their active recovery Some simple recommendations and tips to help you get the most out of this aspect of training == Interested in online training for mountaineering? Check out the Online Summit Program: https://www.summitstrength.com.au/mountaineer.html
May 8 · 14 min
TFM86: Fatiguing Early During Longer Cardio? Look At These Areas.
In this episode, we share some areas a mountaineer can look at if they are always fatiguing early in their longer hikes or runs. == Interested in online training for mountaineering? Check out the Online Summit Program: https://www.summitstrength.com.au/mountaineer.html
May 1 · 17 min
TFM85: 6 Strength Training Myths For Mountaineers
In this episode, we explore some common myths about strength training that are commonly shared in the mountaineering community. == Interested in online training for mountaineering? Check out the Online Summit Program: https://www.summitstrength.com.au/mountaineer.html
April 24 · 18 min
TFM84: Aerobic Deficiency 'Syndrome' For Mountaineers
In this episode, we talk about the concept of Aerobic Deficiency 'Syndrome' for mountaineers and why I believe the conversation around this topic needs to change. == Interested in online training for mountaineering? Check out the Online Summit Program: https://www.summitstrength.com.au/mountaineer.html
April 17 · 8 min
TFM83: Quick Strength Tips For Mountaineers
In this episode, I explore some quick (but very useful) tips to help a mountaineer get better results from their strength training. == Interested in online training for mountaineering? Check out the Online Summit Program: https://www.summitstrength.com.au/mountaineer.html
April 10 · 21 min
TFM82: Respiratory Muscle Strength For Mountaineers: - A Follow-Up
In this episode, we do a follow-up on the topic of respiratory muscle training for mountaineers. And we explore HOW a mountaineer can train to see benefits in this area, plus some commonly discussed training methods that probably won't lead to improvements in this specific area. == Interested in online training for mountaineering? Check out the Online Summit Program: https://www.summitstrength.com.au/mountaineer.html
April 3 · 29 min
TFM81: Respiratory Muscle Training For High Altitude Mountaineers And Hikers
In this episode, we explore respiratory muscle training (strength training for your breathing muscles), which is a very interesting area of training for high-altitude mountaineers. Inside, we explore: What is respiratory muscle training? The potential benefits of respiratory muscle training for high-altitude mountaineers How to develop and train respiratory muscle strength (and a few methods which are often talked about, but are probably not very effective) == Interested in online training for mountaineering? Check out the Online Summit Program: https://www.summitstrength.com.au/mountaineer.html
March 27 · 22 min
TFM80: Upper Body Strength Training For Mountaineers
In this episode, we explore an often-neglected area of training for mountaineers - upper body strength. You will learn: Why is upper-body strength important for mountaineers Principles of effective upper body training A few great upper-body exercise options for mountaineers How to program upper body strength into your week == Interested in online training for mountaineering? Check out the Online Summit Program: https://www.summitstrength.com.au/mountaineer.html
March 20 · 31 min
TFM79: How To Train Mental Endurance For Mountaineering
Inside, I share some strategies a mountaineer can use to build and sustain mental endurance for the mountains. Fair warning, these ideas are SIMPLE - but if applied, they can make a genuine difference in the mental battle when things get tough. == Interested in online training for mountaineering? Check out the Online Summit Program: https://www.summitstrength.com.au/mountaineer.html
March 13 · 14 min
TFM78: Common Cardio Mistakes For Mountaineers
In this episode, we explore some of the most basic (but most common) mistakes I see from mountaineers with their cardio training. == Interested in online training for mountaineering? Check out the Online Summit Program: https://www.summitstrength.com.au/mountaineer.html
March 6 · 15 min
TFM77: Better Metrics Of Readiness For Mountaineers
In this episode, I explore some better ways of judging your fitness, preparedness, and readiness for mountaineering than using a VO2 max test. == Interested in online training for mountaineering? Check out the Online Summit Program: https://www.summitstrength.com.au/mountaineer.html
February 27 · 38 min
TFM:76 Breath Hold Training For High Altitude Mountaineers And Hikers
In this episode, we explore breath-hold training for high-altitude mountaineering and hiking, breaking down some of the claimed benefits of this breathing training method and exploring its relevance and effectiveness for high-altitude preparations. == Want to get fit, strong and resilient for your mountaineering adventures? Check out the Online Summit Program: https://www.summitstrength.com.au/mountaineer
February 20 · 13 min
TFM75: Simple Strength Training Guidelines For Mountaineers
In this episode, we explore some simple guidelines a mountaineer should follow to ensure their strength training is well-rounded, efficient and effective. == Interested in online training for mountaineering? Check out the Online Summit Program: https://www.summitstrength.com.au/mountaineer.html
February 13 · 10 min
TFM74: Positive Self Talk For Mountaineers
In this episode, we explore a simple (but incredibly powerful) mindset strategy to help a mountaineer in their training and while on the mountain. == Interested in online training for mountaineering? Check out the Online Summit Program: https://www.summitstrength.com.au/mountaineer.html