Drawing from over a decade of personal guiding experience and more than one hundred successful summits of Mount Rainier, Alpine Training Systems founder and expert coach Dominic Cifelli has created this comprehensive 12-week training plan specifically designed to get you ready for the challenge of Mount Rainier.
Origins
Dominic’s extensive mountaineering background includes guiding expeditions on iconic peaks around the world, including Denali, Aconcagua, the Himalaya, and Mount Vinson. With countless hours spent training, leading, and coaching climbers at altitude, Dominic has distilled his deep well of mountain expertise into a systematic and accessible training program tailored for climbers at all fitness and experience levels.
Since founding Alpine Training Systems, Dominic has personally coached numerous successful climbers, carefully refining his approach and training methods to ensure athletes are physically prepared, mentally confident, and strategically knowledgeable for climbing Mount Rainier and beyond.
Target Athlete
This plan is built specifically for climbers preparing to summit Mount Rainier or similar alpine peaks. Dominic has thoughtfully designed it to accommodate various fitness backgrounds, training tolerances, and experience levels, providing clear guidance for customizing workouts to meet your individual needs.
What Makes It Special?
More than just physical conditioning, Dominic's approach weaves in crucial insights, techniques, anecdotes, and practical wisdom accumulated from his years on the mountain. By following this training plan, you’ll not only enhance your strength, endurance, and climbing efficiency but will also gain invaluable knowledge directly from an expert Rainier guide. This depth of understanding ensures you approach Mount Rainier feeling confident, prepared, and ready for success.
Equipment Requirements
This plan requires only basic exercise equipment available at any standard gym. Athletes without convenient access to mountainous terrain can effectively complete workouts using inclined treadmills, stair climbers, or stationary bikes to replicate vertical gain. Additional recommended equipment includes a pull-up bar, dumbbells or kettlebells of various weights, and a sturdy step-up box approximately 75% of your knee height for muscular endurance workouts.
Implementing the Plan
Your personalized training schedule will be delivered via the TrainingPeaks fitness app. Simply sign up for a free basic TrainingPeaks account (no premium subscription required). After purchasing your plan, each structured workout, along with Dominic’s expert coaching notes, will populate into your TrainingPeaks calendar—begin at Week 1 and build from there.
Lifetime Access
When you purchase this training plan, you own it for life. All future updates Dominic makes will automatically appear in your TrainingPeaks library, allowing you to revisit and reuse the plan whenever you're preparing for your next climbing adventure
ATS is a dedicated team of expert guides with a passion for the mountains. We spend hundreds of days a year navigating, exploring and mastering the skills required to scale big mountains We are committed to delivering unparalleled training and guidance to help you conquer your outdoor goals. Whether you're scaling peaks, tackling rugged trails, or honing your skills, our team’s extensive mountain experience ensures you’re in the best hands for every adventure