HORIZON STRENGTH | Week 3: Grind and Grip

Amy Petersen headshot
Amy Petersen
ACE-CPT, Sports Performance, PN-1, PATHFINDER Founder & Director of Programming
November 01, 2025

Your hips and back get more work this week through step-ups and pressing movements. These mimic climbing and prolonged marching. The pressing and rowing movements keep your shoulders balanced, preventing strap fatigue. Focus on smooth, strong steps in the step-ups -- this is the same control you’ll need on uneven terrain. Hydration note: be sure to drink electrolytes (in a separate bottle from your water bottle). They're more important as sessions and rucks lengthen.

NOTES

  • You will need: Sandbag and kettlebell or dumbbells and exercise band
  • Complete the two workout blocks as a circuit.
  • You will need to complete Step Ups. Don't overthink it. Any reasonable step will do (ideally 12-16") if you don't have a box.
  • If needed, rest 1-2 minutes between rounds.
  • Always do your warm-up to help prevent injuries.
  • Some video demonstrations may depict exercise tools other than what we suggest - the same cues and form will still apply unless otherwise noted.

REMINDER:

  • Soft count: 1, 2, 3, 4 ... this is when both (or all) limbs perform the exercise at the same time.
  • Hard count: 1, 1, 2, 2, 3, 3, 4, 4...this is when only one limb does work at a time.
  • Each Side: Do all reps on one side before switching to complete all reps on the other side.

 

WARM UP

 REPS EXERCISES COUNT
10 x reps Band Pull Aparts
10 x reps Shoulder Rolls EACH DIRECTION
3 x reps World's Greatest Stretch EACH SIDE


WORKOUT x 3 ROUNDS

Complete each block as a circuit

 REPS EXERCISES COUNT
10 x reps Sandbag Deadlift
10 x reps KB Step Ups EACH LEG
40 x steps Sandbag Bear Hug Walk

 

 REPS EXERCISES COUNT
8 x reps Half Kneeling Banded Face Pull
10 x reps Sandbag Floor Press
10 x reps KB Overhead Carries EACH SIDE