How Fit Are Cross Country Racers? | GMBN’s XC Boot Camp With Nino Schurter

Nino Schurter’s training regime is legendary and absolutely ridiculous, but how fit is he compared to an averagely fit rider? And how tough are his training sessions for mere mortals? We sent Blake and Neil out on an XC bootcamp with Nino to find out... Will Nino break them at the very start?!
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What are the physiological requirements for an elite-level XCO racer? Could we see Neil and Blake ever racing in a professional cross country event? Nino’s level of training and personal development is pretty impressive and it's clear to see how he has become so successful! 🏆
What did you find most interesting about the training program? Let us know in the comments. 👇
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Leave us a comment below!

[@gmbn]

What did you find most interesting about the training program? Let us know 👇

[@lisapet160]

No coffee maker.

[@karloslowry9043]

That I thought that was a medicine ball 😂

[@richardwager283]

Great video, you two are still pretty fit 👊🏻 has it inspired either of you to get training again? How high Nino Jumps 😲

[@ajsaracina8380]

Probably all the balance and coordination stuff. It makes sense though

[@JonBullough]

Loved how gym based circuit training clearly helps Nino on the bike!

[@deanmalaluan9548]

Salute to Nino for showing a glimplse of how to train for XC. Such a humble champ.

[@TheJango997]

He has a whole series called "Hunt for Glory" where he shows even more. I recommend you check it out.

[@arfmf]

If there is something Nino isn't is humble. But he can back up his lack thereof ...he is undisputed - so far. Would love to see Van Der Poel Focus 100% on XC for a decade... Nowadays even Avancini is bringing some serious heat to Nino.

[@mtblover]

@@arfmf ????? I have never seen Nino anything but humbly professional and respectful to his competators. He is an Alpha male and being at the top for as long as he has been it would be difficult for any human being not to be arrogant and full of himself yet Nino rises above it time and time again.

[@jonocox1028]

@@mtblover did you watch this year's Cape Epic? Avancini and Nino were going at it like a couple of petty children. Nino does not rise above it all the time.

[@kiahdumigan4511]

Jono Cox you obviously didn’t read the whole story.

[@saenzteiger]

My whole body is sore just by watching the gym session.

[@alfetheweekendbiker7090]

It's like Professor X trains Hawkeye and John Wick look a like 😂

[@saenzteiger]

@@alfetheweekendbiker7090 😂 the resemblance is uncanny

[@Calum_S]

I almost felt like going for a sympathy puke 😂

[@churnstyle]

I try to hit the gym quite a bit... but Holy shit, the emphasis on stabilization, core, and lower back muscles is insane ... and actually all 3 are weak points for me... damn men, wtf am I even doing ?!??! Thanks so much for this gents, it's s real eye-opener..

[@ieatslag5947]

blame society/media on that. Men are suppose to have big biceps and abnormally large tits to be “fit” .. when that’s really just impractical in almost all situations in life.

[@internetuser9342]

lower back is a weak point? do you even lift?

[@JackMott]

Keep in mind the weight lifting is icing on the cake. The primary reason he is so good is the ~20+ hours a week of pedaling the bike. Since he is a pro, and has all day to train, he also does all the gym work. If you are a time limited amateur, don't feel like you have to do that, unless you have specific deficits or other problems that the gym work helps resolve. Or you are an older athlete struggling to maintain muscle mass.

[@yengsabio5315]

I came here after Mr. Schurter won his 10th World Cup XCO championship title. It is with this video that I came to know the man. For the record, I want to greet him here! Congratulations, Nino! Truly, you deserved it, in my view! Lots'a love, cheers, & Mabuhay, from tropical Philippines! #XCO #RideOn #KeepBiking

[@chrisl.6158]

Definitely one of the best, maybe even THE best GMBN video of this season!

[@lamefart]

Nah. The Random Tandem videos will always be on the top, but I agree this is one of the best, so far, of this season.

[@gmbn]

Thanks Chris 🙌

[@hollridersanktgallen7618]

Nino, only one word: MACHINE!!!💪

[@GonzaloMurilloisAwesome]

Amazing video, thanks for creating it

[@MaQuGo119]

XC is the F1 of mtb

[@dafe3106]

I agree.It's where the small and skinny guys go, that don't have the skill to dominate in ralley events...Just teasing

[@ab_mtb]

Only more exciting than F1

[@phosphorbetamania]

i think that DH is the F1, its really massive how riders have to get less time even when their live is on game.

[@dafe3106]

@@phosphorbetamania I think F1 is way to starile to compare to mtb in any way

[@jesuisFORTIO]

TrackCycling = Nascar Cyclecross = Rally Cross XC = DTM/WTCC/GT Series DH = WRC TimeTrial Road= F1 this is my take as a HUGE fan of both cycling and motorsport c:

[@kirklangdon1591]

“That’s the squats, Neil..” 😂😂😂 died at that

[@jeffmcilroy7081]

You guys are still way more fit than most of us guys watching you from our arm chairs, Great job for even finishing! I’d be 6 feet under half way through.. lol

[@jimw8615]

Indeed

[@jacobharris4826]

I’ve been waiting for this since they mentioned it on the dirt show. Thanks lads great video

[@jessvarey2597]

4:49 damn Neil! Your scar from your accident in Sth America is HUGE. This gym session is monster! Thanks for sharing Nino!

[@neildonoghueMTB]

yeah you cant miss it

[@robin1987100]

great fun watching this on sunday morning, on the sofa, with your feet up.

[@JeffWagen]

Lol

[@whou961]

This day is sunday but I'm in the terrace, sitting with my right leg higher than my left

[@WaRn00b85]

I literally got back into MTB riding last week after 7 years of not owning a bike. My max HR was 190 on a silly little climb close to home.... This is both super inspiring and also soul crushing at the same time. Hahahaha. Dedication indeed! Well done to you guys for doing this, you guys are pretty fit and trying to keep up with a super athlete is just plain mental!

[@WorstDriver1393]

Blake speaking about his VO2max: I've never had one. Pretty accurate for me too, nice one.

[@KetzalSterling]

Superb content. Probably your best training video ever. Cheers to Nino for being so open.

[@RGCastro7]

Spectacular video, guys! The content, editing, interactions... Everything was on point! Nino is such an excellent champion! I hope he gets to enjoy lots of success for a long time to come. Kudos to all for the great info and entertainment.

[@clum262]

More xc videos please. This is my discipline and love watching it.

[@the_spanner_ch7mp]

WOW Nino is a machine! Great effort Blake and Neil that looked so brutal! What a privelege to see a Nino workout and to train with him for a day, although i bet Blake and Neil didn't feel like that after hahaha Awesome video #GMBN

[@LorDDemoniC]

Such a cool guy is Nino Schurter, i am becoming a fan of him :) Great video guys , more of this please!

[@jecksjnr85]

That looks absolutely brutal! Huge well done lads that’s some effort 💪🏻

[@LuisManuelHdez]

This dude is a pro (probably #1 )at the top of his game with the best at his disposal. Theres no comparison. Watching the training exercises was very insightful.

[@AOL0321]

Nino is amazing....so consistent! Great video, which was pretty funny as well. Yes, more XCO stuff please!

[@edwardwegelius6098]

Attitude to training has changed over the years ! Results speak for themselves! Machine. Great Video thanks

[@yodecaf]

I normally don't thank the hosts for the episode, but thanks guys. I would have called in sick to this one

[@thicknight1]

My new favorite gmbn video. Very inspiring.

[@RR-wn1op]

Cross country vid!! Time to hit the gym. Very humble champ. Truly remarkable.

[@gianmarcocostanzo1380]

One of the most interesting videos guys. Seeing Blake training hard with Nino, amazing.

[@MrAnimal1971]

Last night I had to have a friend ride me back out of a trail because I was torched almost halfway through and could not continue. I am on an exercise program and am intent on getting healthier but it will just take time. This video is so inspiring!!!! Great effort guys!!

[@diegodevi]

This is one of the best videos of GMBN!! Nino...a legend! good to see you sweating guys!

[@BikeLifewithRob]

What a treat for you guys to workout with Nino!!

[@eddyjones9395]

Great video, thanks gmbn and Garmin! Inspired me to ride and change my gym workout sessions.

[@erinb4919]

Really cool video! Thanks guys. Super interesting to see how Nino trains. All of the cool balance things he does are interesting. Need to start doing some of those things in my training. What a beast! incredible athlete

[@danwilliams9606]

Very enjoyable and informative video. Great fun watching you guys suffer - for a worthwhile cause. Get in shape, Blake!

[@SamBessalah]

Yep, Nino is wicked fit. Watching him on the Scott SRAM channel do his functional training, he always amazes me. Great dude. Nice vid GMBN. More XC please.

[@hael8680]

I would have liked to see a video of Neil and Blake a day or two after the training session......🤔😁

[@Robin_Hood381]

This vid has made me have a lot more respect for xc and inspired me to get in this type of shape as a benefit of my riding. Nino Schurter is also a beast on the bike as well.

[@sbsb4995]

Fantastic episode. Love it.

[@DavidHefendehl]

Awesome video, love that routine and will certainly incorporate some of these things.

[@carbonsuicidemtb1583]

Considering xc is the most popular mountain biking discipline of all it is surprising how little GMBN cover it

[@michaelwrigley5438]

Is XC the most popular discipline? The market itself wouldn't reflect that in what kind of bikes companies are making, if anything bikes are getting less XC specific. At bike demos most companies don't even bring their XC race bikes. The vast majority of mtb content is more trail/ enduro focused as most average enthusiast riders fall more into that category.

[@carbonsuicidemtb1583]

@@michaelwrigley5438 the fact the pink bike just released a article based from statistics across the world, xc racing has over twice the competitors of any other discipline, plus with the fact that there are predominantly more xc clubs that any other type, just because you say it isn't more popular, doesn't make it so, did you happen to notice the amount of likes my comment got? Fact is, most people ride and race XC

[@hobmarg]

@@carbonsuicidemtb1583 XC is the most popular race discipline from a participation perspective and likely viewership (depends how you measure, viewer hours, include XCC/XCO vs DH). XC bikes and XC racing are absolutely not as popular as simple trail riding which is what the vast majority of "mountain biking" is, both in terms of participation and bike sales, it's also why advertisers focus on those segments because that is where the numbers are. World Cup XC content is great and GMBN has been covering more, but anything below WC is boring, especially when riders are awful at descending. Enduro and DH are way more exciting from that perspective in that even amateurs can be exciting to watch.

[@carbonsuicidemtb1583]

@@hobmarg you didn't actually have a real point, even if someone buys a trail bike, they are still riding cross country, as regards to viewing numbers of the sports, what does that matter? Armchair riders are not riders, the fact stands that XC is what the majority of people ride, GMBN only seems to care about park riding and jumps, perhaps they should do videos on how to load gpx files on a Garmin rather than how to pull a manual, it's obvious what's more important to the average rider

[@carbonsuicidemtb1583]

@@hobmarg pmsl, if you think xc riders wear Spandex it proves you have no idea about what is really going on and have a infantile bias that is wrong, get a grip, fact is, most people ride cross country, on a trail bike or xc bike, it's cross country, that's the point, now go push your bike up every hill and go shout about how "hardcore" and "extreme" you are, whilst the rest of us laugh at you as a weak, non committal tourist

[@urbanphotographer]

Well done! This looks really hard and Nino is super human

[@PeterJohnBaldovino]

That 35mins of vo2 max of Nino is 🤮 One of a kind guy! Our inspiration here in the philippines.

[@lonewolf30531]

Awesome efforts ! Thanks !

[@gablof]

you gotta love the Nino. Huge and humble champ.

[@gmbn]

You think he's got another world Champs in him this weekend?

[@5492sparky]

What an athlete.

[@richardruns4cake]

He’s a machine 💪💪💪 Great film guys. Loved this

[@GreyMattersInc]

amazing videos, please keep it up... south africa

[@PedalingDave]

Just excellent!

[@JonBullough]

This is absolutely brilliant! Amazing how hard Neil and Blake can ride with such a low level of conditioning! haha

[@JonBullough]

FlyingMeta I know and yet functionally they are sooo unfit

[@pedrao420]

Nino is like a machine. i cant even picture myselfdoing anything even similar to this.

[@EnduroPo30]

Awesome he showed some parts of his training. Also look at the flex of his fork!

[@glynncairns4712]

Your faces when he started to load the bar. Awesome video

[@aitaissamehdi8628]

Awesome Training.......Nino is the best xc racer ever.

[@1stFlyingeagle]

Amazing insight in what it takes to be a pro rider.

[@Cybervogi]

That was very interesting! Great video- You guys fought well :))

[@allenjanes5976]

Very nice. Thanks guys

[@michaelb9664]

Cracking video! Neil and Blake are definitely much fitter than the average bloke in their age bracket, but Nino? Jesus!! Very good insight into the work involved in becoming that good. It’s awe inspiring, it really is...

[@SobanBhatti]

Thank you for making this video. Great content.

[@gmbn]

🙌

[@richardking6985]

fantastic video keep it up !!!

[@slide_drexler]

Nino grinning like the cheshire cat while watching Blake suffer is priceless.😄

[@damienberest5856]

Brilliant glimpse into the dedication required to be one of the best. Funny thing about going to watch the older video... the non-stabilized GoPro footage makes it looks much more gnarly than with the modern carpet ride feel of the newer cameras.

[@stuartarmstrong4650]

nino is a machine, great work guys it looked painful

[@samhart1884]

More videos like this please!!!!

[@claustom]

Wow, this is a good video - my NEW plan for today: fitness center and mtb intervals :-D

[@RandomTheories]

So..how do you feel at the end of the day? 👀😁🤘

[@01FozzyS]

Insane! Thanks to Nino for the inside 411!

[@razcohen5590]

It’s crazy how Nino makes it look SO F&$@ing easy! Well there is a good reason he is the champ. Neil and Blake you will be SO tight for the next week!

[@theonlycranny]

Super interesting video!

[@drifterxl12]

Great fun to see some numbers that I never will be able to crush 🤣. Very enjoyable video

[@extacy10]

It was great seeing what the greats can do and how they get there. Nino too. We did not hear much from Nino did you interview him? He seems a good bloke.

[@278films]

Nino is such a BEAST!

[@kevou]

incredible. I'm speechless

[@DaniloCarreiro]

O trabalho de vocês é fantástico 🇧🇷🤙🏾

[@daem3n]

Insane work out!

[@jonellis3747]

love that Nino was descending better than them too after the Vo2 max efforts!

[@mayonmtbdude8260]

Two of my favourite GMBN presenters

[@danielorlikowski]

really the best :) love it

[@Dan07816]

Yoooo this is dope🤙

[@doctorpc4x4]

Very interesting to see how Nino trains, the explosive jumps from the ball to the box were something else

[@eduardblr7127]

Great video!!

[@pabebengbiker888]

Damn training routine.. thanks for this another episode of GMBN 😁

[@workhorsemtb7075]

I don't race XC but I watched this video twice because Nino is such a beast and these workouts are insane

[@CallMeJack08]

Easily the coolest video youbguys have made to date

[@dimensionsofearth]

Totally mental! So much variation in his training i loved the balance and coordination exercises! Now is this every day for Nino?

[@huenuvelasco1630]

Good video!

[@MudSweatGears_TT]

Nino is a beast 💪🏽

[@ADVENTUREAROUNDTHEBEND]

Yall are crazy! Those types of workouts destroy me for a week. Great job. I did like some of those workouts for my own fitness but not at that rate.

[@keeganfuller2185]

That was very cool 😄😄😁👍

[@aguadoia]

What a freaking BEAST!!!

[@squealswhenwet735]

Excellent presentation ! Both you guys did fabulous. Meeting (in the video) Nino was incredible. Thank You.

[@Pillokun]

I love this, makes one think a bit what could have been if one would just go for it when one actually did stuff like this pretty much every day for at least 4h/day without that much effort, now at soon 40 years old one cant run at 100% for more than a few sec. Dedication is of most essential characteristics for en athlete to never give up like the rest of us.

[@floriandoring4105]

Nino! Such a nice guy

[@JokerOfDutchfields]

“Death... DEATH!!!” 😂😂😂

[@danilosx]

Blake's face at the end of the 1st circuit is priceless

[@markdavis8430]

Hats of to you boys

[@trailogr5790]

He has probably ridden more trails than whats on our channel haha, great video, cheers!

[@adamostoja9188]

Great videos

[@hanyaoyap1826]

Oh yeah My idol! Nino

[@ZOB4]

Absolutely bananas.

[@plaids9443]

This is a real Champion.

[@cioxide]

Please more videos with nino, and other XC riders! maximum squat weight in nino? how many reps in a squat? Did you jump from the ball right after the approach or after the entire squat?