The Meanest Link Training Strategies

Matt's Approach

Training for The Meanest Link became a way for me to push my paddling to a new level. It’s more than a route—it’s a test of strength, endurance, and mental grit—so my preparation had to be intentional. I focused on building paddling‑specific strength by developing a stable core, stronger shoulders and back, and the kind of cardiovascular engine that would let me stay efficient over long distances. Core work, rowing variations, paddle‑resistance drills, and interval training formed the backbone of that foundation.

To stay consistent, I followed a structured plan built by Duane Wilson around repeating training days: strength training in the gym and cardio-focused endurance work. Each week had distance targets, progressive strength goals, and cardio intensity zones to hit. I trained in cycles—building weeks and recovery weeks—to stay healthy while still pushing my limits. Recovery wasn’t optional; stretching, mobility, and proper rest kept my body from breaking down.

There were plateaus and frustrating days, but tracking my progress on Strava, building overall fitness programs and using simple mindset tools—like visualization and small daily goals—kept me moving forward. By the end of the training block, the results were noticeable: stronger overall, better endurance, and a lot more confidence. Most importantly, I learned which training methods delivered real impact and how I’d refine the plan the next time around.

Here is my routine when I hit the gym. I also included badminton and pickleball as regular overall fitness options