Dear hikers:

My name is Rowan Smith, and I am a personal trainer who specialises in preparing hikers, trekkers and mountaineers for their dream adventures.
 
Over the years, I have helped dozens of adventure athletes conquer their trail goals.
 
But during this time I have come to a realisation.
  
There is a HUGE percentage of hikers out there, who are restricted in their adventures because of pain.

And there is nothing more debilitating, more frustrating and more stressful then lower back pain.

In our day to to day life, it is can be bad enough, but for hikers, it is even worse!
 
That jolting pain during descents.
 
That heart-pumping anxiety whenever you step in a pothole or have a slip, stumble or slide.
 
That constant ache during a day on the trail, which distracts you from the beautiful thing around you. 
  
Lower back pain is an easy way to such all the enjoyment out of a day on the trail.
  
And not only that, but it is a huge limiting factor for many hikers out there who dream of those larger, bucket list adventures.
 
Maybe they are concerned about carrying a heavier pack. Perhaps they are worried about sleeping rough. Maybe they are simply anxious about being in pain for the entire trip.
  
But whatever the concern is, it is a real shame.  
  
Because we all know hiking can be a wonderful escape from all the worries of the world.
  
So why shouldn't you be able to escape lower back pain as well? 

And that is what the Bulletproof Back Program is all about.

To give you the support, strategies and tactics to help manage and prevent your lower back pain while hiking. 
  
While at the same time, getting incredibly fit, strong and resilient for the trail!
  
Now to be clear, I am not a physio. I will not be diagnosing your back pain, giving you fancy treatments, or pretending like I am something that I am not. If you are working with a physio, great! But know from the outset, that is not what I am.
 
My area of expertise is to give you a broad range of training, strategies and techniques to provide you with an overall improvement in your pain and discomfort.
 
Yes, the training will be moulded to fit your personal requirements. And yes, any considerations given to you from a physiotherapist, a chiropractor or any other health professional will be respected and used in the program design process. But no matter what the issue is, the system will be beneficial. 
 
Through the training, you will get strong where needed. You will get flexible where necessary. You will get fit for the trail. And most importantly, you will get a huge shift in your confidence in your body and your capabilities. So, at the end of the 12-week Program, not only will you likely see significant reductions in your back pain, but you will feel 100% ready to tackle any trail which crosses your mind!

What Is Included In The 12-Week Bulletproof Back Program

  • The proven training system to eliminating back pain on the trail (which will develop the 'Big 3' factors which commonly contribute to lower back pain while hiking)
  • Discover how modern core training will help you move efficiently and pain-free while hiking (HINT: if you are still doing sit-ups and crunches you are 100% wasting your time)
  • An encyclopaedic education on a diverse range of strategies, tips and tactics to help manage and prevent your back pain from ruining your adventures (you will be amazed at the almost immediate difference some of these tips will make)
  • Specialist strength and conditioning programming which will increase your fitness and resilience on the trail while bulletproofing your back from pain (not only will you reduce pain but you will get in the best trail shape of your life!) 
  • Weekly accountability and support from yours truly (to keep you focused on the process and allow for adjustments when life gets busy) 
  • A dead-simple assessment which can identify the underlying causes of your back pain (understanding the contributors to YOUR back pain will allow you to know where to put your focus and make the best use of your precious time) 
  • A proven action plan to help you manage any flare-ups of pain (so you can be proactive when things go wrong, instead of just sitting around feeling hopeless)
  • An adventure and fitness 'concierge' (anytime you have a question, query or concern you will be given immediate support to help)
  • Exercise programming to match YOUR environment (if you would rather train outside, in the gym or in the comfort of your own home - I've got you covered!)
  • A flexible training approach which will get the MOST amount of results from the LEAST amount of time (so you don't have to give up your job to fit in the endless amounts of walking or stretching so commonly recommended!)

Testimonials

"I first started working with Summit Strength to help improve my resilience over longer distances, with particular attention to managing a recurring lower back issue.  Rowan is very attentive, great at checking in without being pushy. I would absolutely work with them again and recommend them to others." - Dan
"I was delighted with the online training program that Rowan put together for me! It was easy to incorporate into my schedule, and targeted key muscles to help me hike without any injuries. I felt very well prepared for my 10-day hike, it was great to have a structured program to make sure I covered all bases." - Clare
"Because of the training program I felt stronger, safer and more secure in every step on the trail. Improved fitness also meant I could really enjoy my surroundings rather than feeling puffed and miserable the whole time!" - Breanne

The Four Pillars Of The Bulletproof Back Program

This 12-week program is based around 4 key pillars:

Pillar 1. Intelligent Strength Training

Strengthening up the supporting muscles of the lower back (in a safe and specific way) is one of the very best things you can do to prevent pain.
 
We apply a proven strengthening system, which is appropriate for anyone from first-time trainers to lifelong athletes.
 
As weeks go by, you will be amazed at how strong, stable and resilient your entire body feels, and you will look back on your pain as a distant memory.

Pillar 2. MoDERN CORE TRAINING

Most people understand that a strong core can protect your back, but very few people truly understand how to go about this.
 
We apply a proven and practical approach to core training (used by world-class athletes for years) which will dramatically increase the strength and stability of your core.
 
By following this approach, you will bulletproof your back from pain in any situation, whether it is lugging around a heavy pack, scrambling over uneven terrain or even during a slip, stumble or fall.

Pillar 3. ​Targeted Mobility Training

If particular muscles are restricted, the lower back has to compensate by allowing additional movement. This movement is not a good thing.
 
We apply a simple and straightforward approach to mobility training, which will free up key muscles, and allow the back to remain strong and stable as it should.
 
As your mobility begins to change, you will be amazed how free your back feels, how comfortable you feel on the trail, and how confident you are in any situation.

Pillar 4. Education
​

There are numerous techniques, tools and strategies which you can apply to help manage lower back pain, aid your recovery and to help speed up the strengthening process.

You will be genuinely amazed at the effectiveness of some of these strategies and how much comfort they add to both your hiking and day to day life.

Are You Ready To Make Back Pain While Hiking A Distant Memory?

This program has been designed to make your training experience as straightforward and as hassle-free as possible. I will tell you precisely what you need to do. And I will ensure it fits around your life as neatly as possible.
 
However, I want to make one thing clear, while I am fully confident this program will work for the majority of hikers with lower back pain there will be a significant amount of effort required on your behalf. You will need to be consistent with your training. You will need to be willing to provide feedback to me throughout the process so I can adjust things as necessary. And you will not only need to consume the education shared but also put it into action!
  
So if you were looking for another 'quick fix' solution, which will work for a few days and then will end up back at square one... this is not for you.  
  
But if you were ready to start taking some meaningful, specific steps to get on top of your back pain, to getting fit for the trail and being able to finally, fully enjoy your adventures again, here are the final details:

The 12-Week Bulletproof Back Program

​
•    Online Back Pain Assessment
•    Comprehensive Exercise Programming (delivered via our training app)
•    Weekly coaching calls and accountability
•    Access to the "Back Pain Prevention" education series
•    12-week commitment
 

GOT QUESTIONS? I’VE GOT ANSWERS.

Q: Who is this for?
A: This program is for hikers who experience mild back pain while hiking. It is not for someone who has just had surgery, nor is it someone for someone who has just suffered an acute back injury. If this is you, it is best to be guided by your surgeon or physiotherapist.
Q: What if I am currently seeing a physiotherapist or physical therapist?
A: If you are already working with an exercise professional, this program will still be appropriate for you.  We will collaborate with your health professional to ensure that all our training is in line with their recommendations. And the additional structure, accountability and education this program provides, will likely significantly boost your results.
Q: What does the training involve?
A: The training generally will involve a mixture of strength training, mobility work, and hiking specific conditioning. None of this training will ever leave you lying in a heap on the ground or feeling like you have nothing left. All the training is designed specifically to help overcome your back pain and get you fit, strong and resilient for your hiking.
Q: Can you guarantee this will fix my back pain?
A: Because there are so many factors which can lead to back pain, there is no way I can guarantee that this program will completely fix your back pain. Some people will see some dramatic improvements. Some people will see minor improvements. However, saying this, if you work through the program, do the training and apply all the education, it is almost certain that you will feel significant improvements in your pain and set yourself some amazing foundations for long term success.
Q: Do I need a gym membership?
A: A: While a gym membership is useful, it is not essential. In our initial talks, we will discuss what works best for YOU. If you like to train at the gym, great! If you would rather train at home, or outside, that is fine too! The beauty of personal training is that we can make the programming fit around you!
Q: I am not a hiker, can I still join?
A: This program is designed specifically for hikers, trekkers, backpackers or other adventure athletes. If this is not you, then this program is unfortunately not for you.
Q: What does the Online Assessment involve?
A: The assessment requires you to film a few simple movements and send them over to me. This allows me to identify any particular issues which may be causing YOUR pain and helps me design a targeted program.
Q: Is this a pre-made program?
A: This is NOT a pre-made, cookie-cutter program. The training is tailored around you as a person. Your needs, preferences and availability will all used to help design this program. And throughout the process, things will be adjusted to make the programming suit you (and not the other way around).