Fortitude is a 7-week, gym-based training plan which concurrently trains strength, military endurance (running, ruck running) and Chassis Integrity.
Fortitude is specifically designed for military and other tactical athletes who have good work capacity, but need to increase their strength and endurance.
This training program combines heavy, barbell-based strength training with moderately-paced running and ruck running, and Chassis Integrity circuits. Chassis Integrity is MTI’s functional core/mid-section training methodology.
Fortitude’s strength programming is built around three classic MTI barbell exercises: (1) Craig Special (hang squat clean + front squat); (2) Bench Press; and (3) Back Squat and our Big 24 progression methodology.
Also trained for strength are weighted pull ups (10# for women, 25# for men), walking lunges and MTI’s Kneeling Curl to Press exercise.
Fortitude’s endurance programming will have you running unloaded 2x/week, and ruck running @ 45# + 10# sledge, dumbbell or rubber rifle, 1x/week. The plan’s unloaded running pushes to 9 miles. The ruck runs push to 7 miles. All endurance in the plan is at a moderate pace.
This is Version 3 of the plan, updated September 2024.
Weekly Schedule
Monday: Strength, Endurance (unloaded run to 5 miles)
Tuesday: Strength, Chassis Integrity
Wednesday: Ruck Run (pushes to 7 miles)
Thursday: Strength, Chassis Integrity
Friday: Endurance (unloaded run to 9 miles)
Required Equipment
- Fully Equipped Functional Fitness Gym including barbells, racks, bumper plates, sandbags (40# for women, 60# for men), Dumbbells and/or kettlebells, plyo boxes, etc.
- Ruck and 45# of filler/load
- Backpack for weighted pull ups. We find it’s easier/faster to put on a backpack then wear a dip belt.
- 10# dumbbell, rubber rifle or sledge hammer
- Stop watch
- Foam Roller
Common Questions
Who is this plan appropriate for?
Fortitude is not appropriate for severely de-conditioned athletes. It is appropriate fit athletes who want to concurrently build strength and endurance.
How long do the training sessions last?
– Monday’s sessions may push to 90 minutes, and can be broken into a 2-a-day if needed.
– Tuesday’s and Thursday’s sessions are designed to be completed in 60 minutes.
– Wednesday’s Ruck Run may push to 90 minutes depending upon your pace
– Friday’s endurance run may push to 90 minutes depending upon your pace.
What does “4/8x” mean? How about “15/25#”?
First number is for women, second is for men, both for reps, and loading. Examples:
4/8x Chin Ups = Women do 4x, Men do 8x
15/25# = Women us 15#, Men us 25#.
What if I don’t have Dumbbells or I don’t have kettlebells?
All the dumbbell/kettlebell exercises in the training plan are interchangeable. For example, if the training session calls for a “5x Slasher @ 16/20kg” and you don’t have kettlebells, women use a 35# dumbbell and men use a 45# dumbbell. You’ll need to make the pound to kg conversion. Use google.
My gym doesn’t have sandbags. What should I do?
Make one and take it to the gym when you train … a sandbag (40# for women, 60# for men) is required for this program. Get your MTI Sandbag HERE, other vendors sell them too, and you can make your own. Be resourceful.
What if I miss a day?
Begin where you left off when you return to training. This program is progressed – each session builds upon the prior session – so don’t skip a session or skip around. Follow the training sessions in order, regardless.
Where do I find unfamiliar exercises?
See our Exercise Library HERE. The Run/Ruck Calculator is listed as an exercise.
What about nutrition?
See our Nutritional Guidelines HERE.
Can I see sample training?
Yes. Click the “Sample Training” tab to see the entire first week of programming.
How do I access the plan?
Access is online, via username and password. You can log in either through our website or through our app (Mtn Tactical Fitness) available for IOS and Android.
Can I print out sessions to take to the gym?
Yes – you can print a week of programming at a time.
More Questions? Email: coach@mtntactical.com
Disclaimer
Before beginning any exercise program, consult with your physician to ensure that you are in proper health. Physical training contains inherent risks including, but not limited to, muscle strains, tears, physical and bodily injury up to and including death. This training program is not meant to provide medical advice; you should obtain medical advice from your private health care practitioner. If you are unable to assume these risks then you should not engage in this training program. No liability is assumed by Mountain Tactical Institute, Inc, its owners or employees, and you train at your own risk. Mountain Tactical Institute makes no warranty, express or implied, of any kind in connection with this training program.
- Stopwatch
- Fully-equipped functional fitness gym with barbells, racks, bench for bench press, pull up bar, kettlebells and/or dumbbells, plyo boxes, etc.
- 45# Ruck for men, 35# Ruck for women plus a 10# dumbbell, rubber rifle or sledge hammer. We prefer old ALICE packs for rucking.
- Recommended - GPS Enabled Sport Watch such as the Garmin Forerunner 10. A GPS watch will allow you to add variety to your running and rucking routes.
Below is Week 1 from this Training Plan:
*********
SESSION 1
Obj: Strength/Endurance
Warm up:
3 Rounds
5x Craig Special @ 45/65#
10x Push Ups
10x Sit Ups
Instep Stretch
Training:
(1) 8 Rounds
2x Craig Special- increase load each round until 2x is hard, but doable
Hip Flexor Stretch
RECORD YOUR FINISHING CRAIG SPECIAL LOAD
(2) Run 3 Miles, Moderate Pace
Moderate = comfortable, but not easy.
*********
SESSION 2
Obj: Strength Assessment/Chassis Integrity
Warm-up:
3 Rounds
8x Bench Press @ 45/95#
4x Walking Lunge
1x Pull up
Instep Stretch
Training:
(1) Max Rep Weighted Pull Ups # 10/25#
RECORD YOUR MAX REPS
(2) 8 Rounds
3x Bench Press - increase load each round until 3x is hard, but doable
3x Walking Lunge - increase load each round until 3x is hard, but doable
30% Max Pull Weighted Pull Up reps from Part (1) @ 10/25#
Lat + Pec Stretch
RECORD YOUR FINISHING BENCH PRESS AND WALKING LUNGE LOADS
- 15 Minute Grind
6x Sandbag Getup @ 40/60# (alternate shoulders each round)
3x Keg Lift with Sandbag @ 40/60#
Sandbag Pick Up and Carry @ 40/60#
(4) Foam Roll Legs and Low Back
*********
SESSION 3
Obj: Loaded Endurance
Training:
(1) Ruck Run 4 Miles @ 35/45# Ruck + 10# dumbbell, sledge hammer or rubber rifle at a moderate pace.
Moderate = comfortable, but not easy.
*********
SESSION 4
Obj: Strength Assessment/ Chassis Integrity
Warm-up:
3 Rounds
8x Back Squat @ 45/95#
8x Dumbbell Push Press @ 15/25#
1x Pull up
Instep Stretch
Training:
(1) 8 Rounds
3x Back Squat - increase load each round until 3x is hard, but doable
3x Kneeling Curl to Press - increase load each round until 3x is hard, but doable
30% Max Pull Weighted Pull Up reps from SESSION 2 @ 10/25#
Lat + Pec Stretch
RECORD YOUR FINISHING BACK SQUAT AND KNEELING CURL TO PRESS LOADS
- 15 Minute Grind
5x Kneeling Plate Half Moon @ 25/35#
5x Slasher @ 16/20kg
15/15 Standing Founder
(4) Foam Roll Legs and Low Back
*********
SESSION 5
Obj: Endurance
Training:
(1) Run 6 miles at a moderate pace.
Moderate = comfortable, but not easy.
1) Mission Direct
Gym numbers mean nothing. All that matters is mission performance.
To this end, MTI's fitness solutions and programming are not boxed in by convention, tradition, orthodoxy, public opinion or any other artificial constraint driven by inside or outside forces.
We begin with the raw fitness demands of the mission and build a fitness solution which directly prepares the athlete for those demands.
2) Fitness Solutions Built from the Ground Up
MTI's programming is not "re-tread" bodybuilding, football, CrossFit, kettlebell, strength or general fitness programming. We've built our fitness programming for mountain and tactical athletes from the ground up.
The Fluid Periodization methodology we deploy to concurrently train multiple fitness attributes is completely original and has continued to evolve and improve over the years.
Our mid-section training methodology, Chassis Integrity, is also original, as is our endurance programming, 7 strength training progressions, tactical agility, and work capacity programming.
Our mountain sports pre-season training plans, tactical PFT, selection, school, course, and fitness improvement training plans across military, LE and Fire Rescue are MTI-developed, tested and athlete-proven.
Over the years hundreds of athletes and coaches have taken our advanced programming and unit fitness leader programming courses and MTI is widely recognized within the mountain and tactical professions and fitness media as a thought leader in fitness programming for military and tactical athletes.
3) The MTI Method
→ Research: MTI begins program design with extensive research of the fitness demands of the mission, sport or event, identifies the exercises and progressions which sport-specifically meet those demands, chose end-of-cycle goals, and program backward to design the training plan.
→ Deploy & Assess: We deploy the training plan "Lab Rats" at our Wyoming facility. Training session and cycle issues are identified and fixed as we work through the training plan. Post cycle we assess the programming's effectiveness and efficiency. We keep the stuff that works, and fix or toss the stuff that doesn't.
→ Publish & Assess Again: Plan is published for purchase as an individual training plan and made available to our subscribers. Feedback/results are assessed.
→ Iterate: We take what we learn from lab rats and athletes, re-visit, update and improve already published training plans. Several of our individual training plans are on their 4th or 5th version.
4) Mission-Direct Research
MTI exists to "Improve Mountain and Tactical Athletes mission performance and keep them safe." To that end, we have developed a unique research methodology aimed at identifying real world areas of improvement and identifying immediately deployable mission-direct solutions. Click HERE to learn more about MTI's Mission-Direct Research methodology, and Here to read about just few of our research efforts.
5) Field Proven
Our stuff works. Weekly we receive unsolicited reviews of our programming and testimonials to its effectiveness.
6) Programming Breadth
MTI's library of 200+ sport-specific fitness plans for mountain and tactical athletes is unmatched. Resources range from specific programming for tactical special forces selections, to specific plans for climbing Rainier and Denali, to general fitness solutions such as running improvement, to post-rehab from injury.
Over the past decade, MTI has partnered with hundreds of athletes throughout their individual mountain and tactical careers, and provided fitness solutions as they face new mountain objectives, tactical schools, selections, PFTs and deployments, and came back from injury.
7) Worldwide Influence
Our work is not limited to US Athletes.
We've developed selection-specific training plans for Canadian, UK, Australian and German Special Forces Selections and worked with individual military personnel from Scandinavia, South, and Central America.
Canadian, Australian, UK and western European law enforcement and fire/rescue athletes have used MTI programming for mission-direct fitness.
On the mountain side, Alpinists from Japan to Slovakia have consulted with MTI and used MTI's programming to prepare for mountain objectives.
8) Mission Performance beyond Fitness
MTI’s exists is to improve Mission Performance for mountain and tactical athletes and keep them safe.
This focus on “mission direct” solutions, enhancements and improvements drives our work and research and extends beyond fitness solutions to include training, leadership, gear, team culture, and safety.
Fitness is just one area of our work.
Our non-fitness research has included tactical cultures, combat uniforms, and gore-tex performance, and effect of stress on marksmanship.
Our work on defining what it means to be a Quiet Professional has had penetrating influence and driven healthy conversations with both mountain and tactical professionals.
9) Direct, Honest, Clear Answers
Since 2007 we've taken and answered dozens of questions weekly from mountain and tactical athletes. We've saved these individual Q&A's and now thousands are archived on our site.
We're not salesmen, and our answers are noted for their directness, honesty, and clarity. Our stuff isn't for everyone. If we can help, we'll let you know. If we can't, we'll let you know that, too.
- Rob Shaul, Founder
All of the Above is Backed Up By Our Promise: Our Stuff Works. Guaranteed.
Do you have any reviews or testimonials from athletes who have used your Athlete's Subscription
Yes. Click HERE.
Is it true you guarantee your stuff works?
Yes. If you purchase an Athletes’ Subscription, follow the training sessions as prescribed, and are not satisfied with the quality of the programming, notify us within 30 days of purchase, and we’ll refund your money, no questions asked.
How is MTI programming different than CrossFit?
This is a common question. Read our answer HERE.
You have a lot of competitors. Why should I choose MTI?
MTI is driven to improve mountain and tactical athletes' mission performance and keep them safe. This emphasis and focus on mission performance sets us apart. Read about more that sets us apart HERE.
If I purchase a plan or subscription, how do I access the programming?
All of our plans are online, accessible via username and password.
You can log in through our →Website or Mobile App →IOS and Android.
Do you have downloadable .pdf's of the training plans?
No. But you can print the programming, by week, from your browser. You access individual training plans online via a username and password.
Do you have a mobile app?
Yes, we do. Available for IOS and Android.
What is the difference between purchasing an individual training plan, packet of plans or an Athlete's Subscription?
- Plan - Like purchasing the DVD of the first Star Wars movie. You own it forever, including any updates we make to the plan.
- Packet - Like purchasing the DVD's of all the Star Wars movies. You own them forever, including any updates we make to the plans.
- Athlete's Subscription - Like subscribing to Netflix. You get access to all 200+ plan in our library, but lose access if you unsubscribe.
If I purchase an Athletes Subscription Can I cancel on my own, anytime?
Yes.
Do I have to contact MTI to cancel or can I do it myself?
You can do it yourself. Instructions HERE.
If I purchase a subscription and have questions about where to start or what plans(s) to use for my goals, will you help?
Yes. We answer dozens of training questions from athletes weekly. Email coach@mtntactical.com.
If you add new plans or update existing plans after I subscribe will I have access to them?
Yes. We are continuously adding training plans and packets (2-5/month) and updating plans. With your subscription you'll have access to all new plans, new courses and plan updates.
What Equipment is Required?
Click the "Required Equipment" tab to find out what equipment is required for the specific plan you are interested in.
Where do I find unfamiliar exercises?
See our Exercise Library HERE. The Run and Ruck Calculators are listed as exercises.
What about nutrition?
See our Nutritional Guidelines HERE.
Can I see sample training?
Click the “Sample Training” tab to see the entire first week of programming. You are encouraged to do it before purchasing.
What if I have more questions?
Email rob@mtntactical.com