Hi bignewt,
I previously agreed with that statement.
I needed to train my legs for 2 Boy Scout High Adventure camps that my son and I did this Summer. The first was a weeklong Canadian canoeing trip. The portages were brutal. I knew that I needed my core and legs stronger. I did a month long squat challenge. Not heavy weight (60 lbs backpack). In the month, I did a total of 3,000 squats. Every other day. Started with 100 on the first day and 300 on the last.
My back and knees felt great. Had no problem with trip 1.
Trip 2 was backpacking in the mountains of New Mexico a little over a month after Canada. I knew that my legs needed more for this trip. That month, my pack weight increased to 70 lbs. my goal was 5,000 squats. At the end, I actually did 7,000. I got a little crazy. Good thing that I did. Our 32 mile trek ended up at 60 miles with my 55 lb. backpack. Another 20 miles without the pack...
In January, I weighed 230 with 30.6% body fat. I did not really start training until May. When I finished the trips, I am now down to 202 with 22.6% body fat. Went from a 38” waist to a 34”...
I am addicted to squats now lol.
I am going up in my weight, but won’t go crazy. The funniest part is that I cannot wear the 34 waist because my thighs and glutes don’t fit.
My new goal is 15-18% body fat. Don’t care about total weight, but I want to stay over 200.
I am 56 and will turn 57 in October. I hope to reach my next goal by my birthday.