Assistance with cardio and strength training?

What are your primary goals, more focused on bodybuilding or hiking? I used to be really into mountaineering before I got back into bodybuilding.

For newcomers who haven't exercised much, I've noticed that higher frequency splits can be very effective. Something like upper, lower, rest, and then repeat, or even a full body workout every other day where you choose one exercise per muscle group and perform a single set to absolute failure. There's something about the frequent exposure that really helps beginners progress. As you advance, your muscles will require more focused attention, making PPL and bro splits more applicable. But at the start, beginners can see significant gains with high-frequency training. Just ensure you progressively overload each week, meaning you should aim to do slightly better than the previous week. It could be just one more rep or 2.5 more pounds; just strive for a small improvement each week. You could use a tool to help you structure the basics. Ask for an upper/lower split, how much time you have, what equipment you can use, and any exercises you prefer or need to avoid, and then refine it from there.

Honestly, I'm not entirely sure. The hiking is mainly for hunting, but I also have a family, and hunting isn't year-round. So, it leans more towards family backpacking trips, which means I have to carry extra gear for my wife and three little kids. That's where the 60-pound goal comes from. My gym experience is limited, and my strength comes from my job. So, I'm looking for a solid balance. I'm uncertain about how to set my long-term goals. Initially, I thought about focusing on hiking to establish a foundation before incorporating strength training, allowing my body to adapt gradually. But if I can manage both, why not? As a beginner, does it really matter how much I push myself with hiking? Also, how would my focus on hiking affect my strength gains, or vice versa? Right now, I'm not planning any serious mountaineering trips or anything.

Sounds good! It seems like starting with a full body routine and later moving to an upper/lower split would work. How do you know when you're ready to start focusing on workouts for specific outcomes?

Your workout log will tell you. Eventually, you'll hit a plateau in your progress, which indicates it's time to increase the volume for each muscle group. In that case, shifting to an upper/lower/off routine would be perfect. It still maintains high frequency while allowing for more volume per muscle group.

60 pounds is a heavy load. If you can regularly access hikes for training, that's the best way to build your conditioning. Start with the distance and elevation gain you want to achieve using a lighter pack, and gradually increase the weight until it feels comfortable. The more you can train outdoors, the better. You might also consider doing box step-ups at home with your pack and a counter to monitor your elevation gain. For strength training, focus mainly on lower body and core strength, with some attention to upper body. Single-leg exercises are highly effective, like Bulgarian split squats, lunges, and single-leg RDLs. I suggest strength training 2-3 times a week, along with 2 days of hiking conditioning, and incorporating as much zone 2 cardio as possible. Look into mountaineering training programs as they will be quite similar to what you're looking for with hunting.