My fitness level was pretty basic back then — weekend hikes around Detroit, some light cardio, and casual gym sessions. It didn’t take long to realize that hiking at such high altitude would demand far more: powerful legs, solid endurance, and a resilient mind.
That’s when I connected with Gunnar Steele at Edge Fitness, and everything changed. He designed a custom training program to prepare me not just for hiking, but for thriving at 18,000 feet.
Our focus areas included:
🏋️♀️ Strength training – weighted squats, lunges, and deadlifts to build lower-body power.
💨 Endurance conditioning – sled pushes, incline treadmill hikes, and loaded step-ups to simulate mountain climbs.
🧘♀️ Core stability and balance – essential for navigating rocky terrain.
🧠 Mental toughness – learning to push through fatigue and discomfort, just like on the trail.
Over time, I could feel the transformation — stronger muscles, better breathing, improved recovery, and a newfound confidence in my body’s ability to take on the mountains.
Fun fact- I successfully completed my Kailash Mansarovar (Google it 😅) hike in 3 days at average elevation of 18k feet.
Edge Fitness has truly been instrumental in this journey, helping turn an ambitious dream into a goal within reach. Huge thanks to Gunnar Steele for the guidance, discipline, and motivation through every training session. 🙌”
- Sachin, Edge Member