The Couch To Trail Program
The 8 month Couch To Trail program is a combination of both virtual learning, and in-person meet-ups. Whether it’s been a little while since you’ve taken a hike, or this is your first time, this 8 month program will provide you with the knowledge to not only keep you safe, but to also make sure that you actually enjoy your next adventure!
Join the 2023 Couch To Trail Program for only $129.99
As a Couch To Trail member you’ll receive:
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8 in person gym training sessions with a NASM certified fitness coach at Mountain Strong Denver.
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8 in person hikes with the ACA Couch To Trail Ambassadors.
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8 Yoga classes.
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Access to Pro deals which include discounts for new gear and equipment.
2023 Official Couch To Trail Schedule
FEBRUARY:
Wednesday - Feb 1st 7:30 PM:
ZOOM Session with Mountain Strong Denver and ACA Couch To Trail Ambassadors - 90 minute Introduction to Couch To Trail, Q&A, expectations, self care, gear, tips and tricks on how to get started slowly.
Sunday, Feb 5th. 9AM:
In-person hike
With the ACA Couch To Trail Ambassadors at Waterton Canyon, Littleton Colorado. https://fatmanlittletrail.com/2020/07/07/waterton-canyon/ (easy hike, good parking, long or short as you want)
Sunday - Feb 12th 9:30AM - 10:30AM :
In-person Gym Training Session.
Tour the gym, meet the team. The basics: Warm up exercises. Mobility and Stretching. What to do when you come to a gym? (brunch provided after)
Sunday - Feb 26th 9:30 AM-10:30 AM
Online- ZOOM
Yoga Class with Jenn Dormann.
All abilities welcome, perfect for beginners.
MARCH:
Saturday, March 4th. 9AM:
In-person hike
South Valley Park, Littleton Colorado
https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/colorado/coyote-song-trail-loop
Sunday, March 12th 9:30 AM - 10:30 AM
Online- ZOOM
Yoga Class with Jenn Dormann.
All abilities welcome, perfect for beginners.
Sunday, March 19th 9:30 AM - 10:30 AM:
In-person Gym Training Session at Mountain Strong Denver
APRIL:
Saturday, April 1st. 10AM:
In-person hike
North Table Mountain
https://fatmanlittletrail.com/2021/02/14/north-table-mountain/
(Steep elevation gain but a technically easy hike. At top really nice)
Sunday, April 16th 9:30 AM - 10:30 AM:
In-person Gym Training Session at Mountain Strong Denver
Sunday, April 23rd 9:30 AM - 10:30 AM
Online- ZOOM
Yoga Class with Jenn Dormann.
All abilities welcome, perfect for beginners.
MAY:
Sunday, May 7th 9:30 AM - 10:30 AM
Online- ZOOM (Possibly in-person, weather TBD)
Yoga Class with Jenn Dormann.
Yoga Mat provided. All abilities welcome, perfect for beginners.
Sunday, May 14th. 10AM:
In-person hike
Pine Valley Ranch
https://fatmanlittletrail.com/2020/05/08/pine-valley-ranch-park/
(Longer hike nearing 9 miles with several different challenges)
Sunday, May 21st 9:30 AM - 10:30 AM:
In-person Gym Training Session at Mountain Strong Denver
JUNE:
Saturday, June 3rd. 8:00 AM:
Silver Dollar Lake
https://fatmanlittletrail.com/2020/07/10/silver-dollar-lake/
(Introduces hiking at a higher elevation, some more challenging hiking)
Sunday, June 18th 9:30 AM - 10:30 AM:
In-person Gym Training Session at Mountain Strong Denver
Sunday, June 25th 9:30 AM - 10:30 AM
In-person session at Washington Park, Denver
Yoga Class with Jenn Dormann.
Yoga Mat provided. All abilities welcome, perfect for beginners.
JULY:
Saturday, July 8th. 7:30AM:
In-person hike
Herman’s Gulch
https://fatmanlittletrail.com/2020/06/22/herman-gulch/
(A hard hike with elevation gain and distance)
Wednesday, July 12th 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM
In-person session at Washington Park, Denver
Yoga Class with Jenn Dormann.
Yoga Mat provided. All abilities welcome, perfect for beginners.
Sunday, July 16th 9:30 AM - 10:30 AM:
In-person Gym Training Session at Mountain Strong Denver
AUGUST:
Sunday, August 6th. 8:30AM:
In-person hike
Mt Flora
https://fatmanlittletrail.com/2021/07/30/mount-flora/
(An easier 13er with good parking. Last good test before 14er)
Sunday, August 20th 9:30 AM - 10:30 AM:
In-person Gym Training Session at Mountain Strong Denver
Wednesday, August 30th 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM
In-person session at Washington Park, Denver
Yoga Class with Jenn Dormann.
Yoga Mat provided. All abilities welcome, perfect for beginners.
SEPTEMBER:
Sunday, September 10th. 7:30 AM:
In-person hike
Mount Sherman - 14er
5 Miles - 2,027 Feet of elevation gain.
Wednesday, September 13th 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM
In-person session at Washington Park, Denver
Yoga Class with Jenn Dormann.
Yoga Mat provided. All abilities welcome, perfect for beginners.
Sunday, September 17th 9:30 AM - 10:30 AM:
In-person Gym Training Session at Mountain Strong Denver
(Tentative) Saturday, September 30th 7AM.
In Person Hike (Jenny Roach) : Backpacking Pikes Peak
Q&As
Who is this program for?
Although the 8 month program was designed for the beginner adventurer, even an advanced outdoor enthusiast could benefit from the lessons learned throughout the course. This course is for ALL abilities!
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Q: I might not be able to make the Zoom calls, will they be recorded?
A: Yes! They'll be located in our Facebook Community
Q:I’ve never done anything fitness related before, are you guys going to kill me?
A: Absolutely not. In fact, we’re going to shift the conversation of how people think about fitness (from punishment to enjoyment). Wait, that sounds dirty... Whatever, we’re going to make sure you’re actually having fun with it.
Q: I want to join with a friend/family member. Can we join as a team for a discount?
A: Accountability is awesome and you’re much more likely to stick with something if you have a friend with you. Also, the value provided in the course is already being offered at a massive discount. The majority of your investment will go to help ACA continue to offer programs like this in the future.
*Before committing to the Couch To Trail program consult a physician for a thorough evaluation. A qualified physician should make a decision based on each person's medical history and current health as to if they should participate in this program. The prescribing physician should be consulted concerning any questions that you have. If you have any health or medical concerns please discuss with us prior to enrolling. Please see ACA's Terms and Conditions for additional details.
Questions/Concerns? Email us!
MARC RIOS
Head Coach at Mountain Strong Denver
Credentials:
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NASM, Certified Personal Trainer
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NASM, Performance Enhancement Specialist
“CREATE A SPARK THAT WILL IGNITE A DIFFERENCE” is his personal guiding principle as he continues to grow, and develop as a coach.
The philosophy he has adapted is to lead athletes, and clients in the HUMAN PERFORMANCE MODEL. He researches current training trends, elite sport coaches, current elite athletes of all ages, as well as elite training programs in order to learn what they are currently doing to define the highest levels of training, and sport. Marc creates ongoing Human Performance Models in which coaches, athletes, and programs continuously set goals, push barriers, break barriers, as well as continue to define, and redefine success.
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JENN DORMANN (she/her)
Couch To Trail - Yoga Instructor
Credentials: RYT 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training
Jenn has been an active Yogini for 20+ years and found her passion during a hot-style yoga class in Boulder, CO while attending CU (Go Buffs!) and has been teaching professionally for 11 years. She is a friendly and professional Yoga Instructor with a passion for physical and mental fitness, well-being and adventure as part of a healthy lifestyle. With an ability to connect and develop relationships with practitioners, she creates a welcoming, yet challenging environment to foster an invigorating, inclusive and calming practice pertinent to all abilities. She is flexible in a variety of settings, including indoor and outdoor environments and loves to see her students reach their potential - whether or not you touch your toes. When she isn't guiding students, she enjoys running, listening to podcasts (whilst running), paddle boarding, taking her dog on hikes, and trying out new cookbooks for her family. She looks forward to guiding you on the mat and having fun off the mat too!
"Life is a Flower for which Love is the honey."
JENNY ROACH
Lead Ambassador at Always Choose Adventures
Credentials: Wilderness First Aid
Jenny is the leader of the Sloth Hiking Team - We will get there, when we get there. Come join us on a no pressure hike! Being outside has saved this human's life in more ways than one and she is ready, willing and able to help you find the adventure tools to help you succeed in your Couch To Trail story!
GREG SAKOWICZ
Couch To Trail Ambassador
Ever get tired of watching 120 pound 20 somethings on infomercials and blogs telling you how easy getting in shape is? Well that’s not me! I’ve struggled with weight for awhile now and recently gained a bunch and was too embarrassed to get out and explore the state. So I started taking simple hikes. I’ll be honest, I got way out of shape after an injury and it was a struggle but I was determined so I just kept walking. What I learned was that if you are tired and out of breath, you might as well look around and enjoy the moment, especially if you can’t enjoy breathing right then. So I started stopping and taking pictures to hide the fact I needed to catch my breath and I realized a couple of things. First, I can’t believe I haven’t explored this beautiful state enough. Second, who cares that I’m out of shape and embarrassed and the grim reaper stands next to me with a stethoscope during the inclines. I go at my own pace and now I have a ton of pictures to share with anyone out there who was like me and sitting on the couch. Maybe it inspires someone, maybe not but it got me out of the house! Plus, now I have a great excuse to catch my breath even more with more picture breaks!
Greg is the founder of Fatmanlittletrail.com
The website is meant to inspire other unlikely hikers to see the mental and physical benefits of the trail. Greg's journey was the ultimate couch-to-trail journey. He went from spending very little time in the outdoors to hiking over 1,600 miles and 265,000 feet of elevation in just two years. He hopes to continue to inspire and encourage others to leave the comfort of the couch and spend more time outdoors.
