QUESTION
Rob,
My name is A. and I am an ROTC CDT at Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa. I have followed several of your programs over the years and have also attended the CF Level 1 Seminar.
I really like the crossover between your programs and the necessities that military members face in the field.
This leads me to my question for you. I am planning a workout for my ROTC Company as I am the Company First Sergeant. I want to make a challenging workout for the group however a few problems exist. I want to use equipment like dumbbells, barbells, kettle-bells, wall balls, boxes etc. however very few of our cadets have experience with this equipment and due to the demands of college/ROTC there is no way to validate them properly before the PT session. There also exists great variation between fitness levels with a mix of completely out of shape civilians who PT with us to the Cadets of our program who were recognized this year as having the highest APFT average in the nation with a 295.6.
We conduct PT in our rec center which includes a 325m indoor track, four pull up bars, and a middle turf section.
Would you recommend me making a body weight only workout that may be boring for our cadets or include equipment that they may not be able to properly handle?
Very Respectfully,
– A.
ANSWER
Future officers aren’t delicate snowflakes, A. Dumbing down your programming isn’t helping anyone. Also – this equipment isn’t dangerous and these movements don’t take Michael Jordan-level athleticism. Throw ’em in. They’ll figure it out.
– Rob
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QUESTION
Rob,
Where should I begin?
I really enjoy trail running (longest event was 20-mile trail run) and cycling (road cyclist, longest event 100-mile race). Due to some nagging injuries I run less and want to bike more. I have some nagging injuries that I manage with some success. Low back and ankles primarily.
My background:
I’m 39 year old Army Officer with 16 years of active duty service. Primarily in the Infantry (Ranger Regiment and other Airborne unit assignments…a lot of wear and tear but fun!) I was a college decathlete prior to joining the Army.
I’m now a graduate student in Monterey, CA at the Naval Postgraduate School. This is a time I want to “get well”…and fit.
I found your site through word of mouth. A good friend of mine has used your materials for some time with success. He has finished several of your workouts.
Thanks…
– J.
ANSWER
I generally like all athletes coming into our programming to start with strength. Especially you given your endurance background – some strength training may be a good break on your joints, and add some durability. I’m assuming through your decathlete experience you know your way around a barbell.
If so – I’d recommend our 357 Strength Plan to start: http://militaryathlete.com/page.php?page_ID=12&cart_category_ID=55&&cart_ID=69
If your lifting experience is rusty or limited, I’d recommend our Off Season Strength Program for Endurance Athletes – to start: http://www.mountainathlete.com/page.php?page_ID=12&cart_category_ID=51&&cart_ID=30
– Rob
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QUESTION
Hi there Rob!
I have used your Military Athlete for CrossFitters program and really enjoyed the program. I was curious if you might have some advice for me. I am looking for a training plan to do over the summer that will keep me in a good triathlon shape and I would like to, in August, compete in an xterra in northern CO. It is a 1mile swim, 22 mile mountain bike ride and a 5 mile trail run.
Do you have any programs that would be good for that kind of training? Also, I travel a lot for work and may be limited to what you would find in an "Anytime Fitness" gym for 2 weeks out of each month.
Thanks for your time and help! Love the programs and appreciate your commitment to the military (I am former Navy myself).
All the best!
– L.
ANSWER
We’re building an Xterra Plan on at Mountain Athlete, but we don’t have it completed yet. I’d recommend our Mountain Bike Pre-Season Training Plan – figuring this is the longest portion of your race, and substituting some swimming and running for a portion of the riding. Here’s the plan: http://www.mountainathlete.com/page.php?page_ID=12&cart_category_ID=52&&cart_ID=62
– Rob
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QUESTION
hey Rob,
I was on your program for a while until I shattered my collar bone in a motorcycle accident. I have have recovered quickly, but was told today that I need to stop doing my current workout routine (just running, push ups, and sit ups) because I am at risk of re in injuring myself. As of now, I am still on track to commission into the U.S Army in August but I need to find some creative ways to stay in shape while giving my left shoulder time to heal. I was hoping you had some ideas? Maybe if I start paying for your program again you could give me some tips. Just an idea. look forward to hearing from you.
V/R,
– A.
ANSWER
About the only thing I can offer, without having you in house to coach – is our 1-arm program. This thing is intense, and designed to work around your bad side. You should likely leave it alone for a couple weeks at least – work around it using our program, then, you can begin to work it it, using the same exercises in the plan (they are unilateral) but at a significantly lower load than your good side.
Here’s the plan: http://militaryathlete.com/page.php?page_ID=12&cart_category_ID=57&&cart_ID=50
– Rob
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QUESTION
Sir,
I am currently training to return to CCT selection and came across your site recently. Do you allow people to train at your facility or is it strictly internet based? Do you have regular training sessions?
V/R,
– A.
ANSWER
We have some guys train at our facility, but because we’re in Jackson, Wyoming, it’s not possible for most military guys, A. Most follow us remotely, by subscribing to the Operator Sessions, or purchasing one of the training plans through the website store.
We’re developing a CCT/PJ train up – and should have it done in a couple weeks. If you want to get started now, purchase the USMC Basic Recon School Training Plan: http://militaryathlete.com/page.php?page_ID=12&cart_category_ID=53&&cart_ID=88
– Rob
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