HillFit by Chris Highcock

“Chris bridges the gap between what is enjoyable activity and what is necessary. He does it in a clear, concise manner and backs his belief with research.”

Hill Fit: Strength-The Missing Element In Your Training is an Ebook by Chris Highcock. If you don’t know who Chris is, you should. He’s the owner/writer of the Conditioning Research Blog. It’s very popular blog that examines the science around fitness, diet, exercise and some of the personalities in the fitness world.
The ebook, Hill Fit is an effort to combine one of Chris’ loves, hiking, with a well rounded fitness approach. Most people will view ‘activities’ as self contained exercise mechanisms. They bike, swim, do Zumba, run or practice Tai Chi. The truth is that these physical pastimes fall short in certain measurable realms for complete protocols.
Chris bridges the gap between what is enjoyable activity and what is necessary. He does it in a clear, concise manner and backs his belief with research.

What I liked – The bare bones, structured approach to fitness. Simplicity and minimalism leaves little excuse not to get going and get fit.

What I didn’t like – Chris is using the HIT method of training as his strength training component. I’m not a fan of this method. It does however, keep things brief and focused. Perhaps it was his intent not to overwhelm the reading with anything but simple tools that can be integrated in a sophisticated manner.

I’d suggest you check this Ebook out. It’s available here. Click here to visit Hillfit.

3 Comments

Chris on January 15, 2012 at 2:59 pm

Thanks for the review Tom. I picked an HIT approach really just to keep things simple and quick. The target is people who are already active but who need strength.

Kind regards

Chris

John D Wilson on January 18, 2012 at 5:23 pm

You obliquely mentioned HIT. I've been confused by it myself. Even read “Body by Science” (thought the picture of a barbell deadlift was pathetic).

My biggest confusion is with the Big Five workout: seated row, seated chest press, seated pull down, seated overhead press, and seated leg press.

Looks like a lot of sitting to me!

I've a good friend who's done HIT like stuff for years. Very well to do and has lots of machines. He is also unable to help his wife carry in the groceries. Has to lie on his back to tie his shoes.

Just my $0.02

On the other hand Conditioning Research is my first stop when browsing the web for fitness!

Chris on January 18, 2012 at 5:32 pm

Hi John.

Thanks for the comment. I recognise your name I think from my blog comments?

The focus of the book is a simple HIT style bodyweight routine for people that do not usually do any strength training…but do spend time in the outdoors. I wanted a quick efficient and safe approach.

I think Doug mcGuff has admitted that the barbell photos in BBS were not what they intended – I'd blame the editor / publisher.

As for your pal…..i think HIT can get you stronger, but as I say in the book, you still need to apply that strength to your skills be that hillwalking or picking up the shopping bags.

drop me an email chris @ hillfit.com