By Rob Shaul
“SF45” is an acronym for “Strength and Fitness 45” and this programming is designed for older tactical and other high impact athletes in the 45-55 age range.
I first started experimenting with developing programming for guys my age (I’m almost 49) a couple years ago, had to move away from it for a time, but am now back at it.
I’ve been doing my own programing for nearly 15 years now – 10 as a professional strength and conditioning coach. No one has done more sandbag getup, step ups, leg blasters, etc. than me … and honestly I’m feeling it. Not in my muscles – but in my joints and interest.
My knees began aching occasionally when I was 44 and now are a significant consideration. I’ve written about this before, but what it means from a programming perspective is heavy front and back squats are simply uncomfortable. I’m not alone, two other of MTI’s long term lab rats, Cody (45) and James (41) are the same. Lunges and hinges are fine, but squats don’t feel good.
Interest is another issue. We like endurance work, and the long gym-based endurance and chassis integrity grinds, but are not super interested in hard, the hard, intense multi-modal power clean to burpee – esq work capacity events of our “youth” (I started the gym when I was 38). Shuttle sprints are okay.
Interest also affects the time we want to spend in the gym training. In my 20’s I’d do 90-minute gym sessions 6 days a week and couldn’t get enough. Now in my late 40’s 2-3 day/week is more than plenty. I still love the weightroom, but I’ve come to enjoy training endurance outside as much. Plus, the endurance work we do transfers better to our recreational pursuits … backcountry hunting, backcountry skiing, mountain biking, alpine climbing … mountain sports in general.
These changes doesn’t mean this programming is “easy.” Sometimes we let millennials train with us just to make us feel good when we crush them doing bench press, or lap them during gym-based endurance efforts. But it is different … perhaps more mature own way.
SF45 Programming has the following general characteristics:
Heavy, Low Volume Strength – think heavy barbel and 1-3 reps per set. The goal is to increase or maintain relative strength (strength per bodyweight) in the most efficient manner possible. Some SF45 cycles will feature bodyweight strength training, but none will include moderately loaded free weight strength training in the 5-12 reps per set range. This is to avoid unnecessary joint impact.
The heavy, low volume strength Strength Programming in SF45 Delta breaks from Alpha, Bravo and Charlie in that the plan steps away from heavy, low-volume barbell-based strength training to focus exclusively on bodyweight strength training.
Endurance – Recreationally, most activities for athletes in this age range are outside and have a strong endurance component – biking, hunting, trail running, hiking, alpine climbing, etc. As well, for experienced athletes who’ve spent decades throwing iron around in gyms, the appeal of training inside wanes. Endurance programming includes assessment based intervals at a threshold pace, long distance intervals at an easy pace, and gym-based endurance training. This programming may include rucking and ruck running, as well as loaded step ups.
Chassis Integrity – MTI’s mid-section training methodology aims at building transferable mid-section strength and strength endurance. Four movements are emphasized: Rotation, Anti-Rotation, Total Body and Extension. Chassis Integrity can be trained in focused circuits, as well as in complementary gym-based endurance events.
Non-high Impact Work Capacity – In this age group, gone are the days of hard, intense, high impact multi-modal gym-based work capacity programming. For day to day training, the interest and need for this type of fitness is not worth the joint impact. Work capacity training is limited to lower impact gym exercises and shuttle sprints.
Deep Loaded Squat Avoidance – For our over-40 lab rats, it’s nearly impossible to do heavy back or front squats without limited joint pain. Lower body strength training in these cycles will focus on lunges, hinge lifts and bodyweight or lightly loaded complexes.
SF Packet Training Plans:
Four SF45 plans are included in the SF45 Packet. Each SF45 plan is a 6x/week, 7 week training plan. Week 7 of each plan is an unload week, so the plans may be run back-to-back.
Click the links below and see the following chart for more specifics on each plan.
1) SF45 Alpha
2) SF45 Bravo
3) SF45 Charlie
4) SF45 Delta
COMMON QUESTIONS
What order should the plans be completed it?
We recommend the order listed above.
What Equipment is Required?
- Fully-equipped functional fitness gym including barbells/dumbells, plates, bumpers, rack, bench, plyo boxes, sandbag (40/60/80 pound)
- Stop watch with countdown interval timer.
- Optional – GPS running watch to make finding running/biking distance easy
Can I see sample training before purchase?
Click on the individual plan links below, then click the “Sample Training” page tab to see the entire first week of programming.
I have an Athlete’s Subscription to MTI. Are these plans included?
Yes.
The $79 Price for the packet represents a 30% savings over purchasing the plans individually and saves you $39!
Questions?
Email coach@mtntactical.com