Start Strong with Our Foundational Police Workout Program
This 8-Week police workout program is designed to build a solid level of “Base Fitness” for unfit to moderately fit Law Enforcement Athletes in order to prepare them for the volume and intensity of MTI’s daily LE Athlete programming and other training plans.
Though this is an “On Ramp” training plan, it is not remedial. You’ll be challenged daily, and likely be sore for some time. Embrace the suck and keep grinding.
Fitness Attributes
We have identified 6 Fitness Attributes for Law Enforcement Athletes (patrol/detective/correction):
- High Relative Strength – Strength per bodyweight, especially total and lower body relative strength. In most tactical situations, LE athletes need to move quickly and powerfully. By building high relative strength, we aim to get them strong as possible, without adding unneeded mass, while still keeping them fast, quick and powerful. As well, strength is the key to durability. Stronger athletes are harder to injure in the first place, don’t get injured as bad if something does happen, and recover faster if they do get injured.
- Upper Body Hypertrophy – LE athletes, especially patrol, can benefit from upper-body mass. A stout upper body can help intimidate would-be bad guys from assault or attack.
- Work Capacity – Horsepower and aerobic power to go super hard for relatively short periods – especially pertinent in any tactical situation. Law enforcement Work Capacity programming should have a strong emphasis on sprinting ability and recovery – as this is the mostly mode of effort when things are dangerous.
- Chassis Integrity – Functional, transferable core/mid-section strength and strength endurance for mission performance and overall durability.
- TAC SEPA – Tactical Speed, Explosive Power, and Agility.
This training plan deploys “Fluid Periodization” – our methodology of training these 5 fitness attributes concurrently.
Progression
The first 4 weeks of this training plan deploy bodyweight strength training, short (5-10 minutes) sprinting-based work capacity intervals, chassis-integrity, and short-distance endurance training.
On week 5 we introduce gym-based, free-weight strength training, upper body hypertrophy, and gym-based multi-modal work capacity efforts.
On week 6 we introduce TAC SEPA into the mix.
- Weeks 1-6, you’ll train 4 days/week.
- Week 7-8 we push you to 5 days/week.
Weekly Schedule
Weeks 1-2
- Mon – Bodyweight Strength, Work Capacity
- Tue -Work Capacity, Chassis Integrity
- Wed – Rest Day
- Thu – Short Endurance, Chassis Integrity
- Fri -Bodyweight Strength, Work Capacity
Weeks 3-4
- Mon – Bodyweight Strength, Work Capacity
- Tue – Work Capacity, Chassis Integrity
- Wed – Bodyweight Strength, Work Capacity
- The – Short Endurance, Chassis Integrity
- Fri – Rest Day
Weeks 5-6
- Mon – Strength, Upper Hypertrophy (gym-based)
- Tue – Work Capacity (multi-modal), Chassis Integrity
- Wed – Rest Day
- Thu – Strength, Upper Hypertrophy (gym-based)
- Fri – Short Endurance, Chassis Integrity
Weeks 7-8
- Mon – Strength, TAC SEPA, Upper Hypertrophy
- Tue – Work Capacity (Multi-Modal), Chassis Integrity
- Wed – Short Endurance, Chassis Integrity
- Thu – Strength, TAC SEPA, Upper Hypertrophy
- Friday – Work Capacity (Multi-Modal), Chassis Integrity
Common Questions
How long are the training sessions in this police workout program?
60-70 minutes.
What if I miss a session?
Start again where you left off. Don’t skip ahead.
I don’t work a 5 on, 2 of schedule. How should I train?
For weeks 1-6, try to train 4 days in a row and get 3 full days of total rest. For weeks 7-8 try to train 5 days in a row and get 2 full days of total rest. It’s okay if you have to split up your rest days. Do your best given your schedule. You may have to train on a off-duty day and rest on a duty day.
I work 10-12 hour shifts. When should I train?
Before your work day begins. This is the only time you can count on.
How do I know if I’m fit enough to start this plan?
Under the “Sample Training” tab, you’ll find Week 1 of this training plan. Complete this week of training. If you survive, you’re ready for the rest of the program.
But I’ve never lifted weights before….
Time you started! The weight lifting exercises in this training plan are not complicated or super unique. On our Exercise page you’ll find videos and explanations of unfamiliar exercises … start there and also search YouTube and other resources for exercise tips. Be resourceful. For the barbell-strength exercises, start light and be smart. Keep at it you’ll get stronger. There’s no hurry.
What does 2/4x Pull Ups mean?
2x for female athletes, 4x for men.
What does 15/25# mean?
Female athletes use 15#, male athletes use 25#.
Unfamiliar exercises?
Click HERE.
I’m overweight. What about diet/nutrition?
Click HERE for our nutritional guidelines?
Some exercises call for kettlebells and some for dumbbells. What if I just have dumbbells?
Every exercise that calls for kettlebells can be completed with dumbbells, and vice versa. You may have to convert the loading, so if the plan calls for kettlebell swings at 16kg, and you only have dumbbells, use a 35# dumbbell. Be resourceful.
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.
- Fully equipped commercial gym
- Foam Roller
- Watch with stop watch and repeating countdown timer. Timex Ironman is best.
- Jump Rope
- 2 cones to mark shuttle distances (optional)
Below is Week 1 from the LE OnRamp Training Plan:
***********
SESSION 1
Obj: Strength, Work Capacity
Warm up:
3 Rounds
- Jump Rope 1 Minute
- 3/5x Push ups
- 2/3x Chin ups
- 10x Air Squats
- Instep Stretch
Training:
(1) 10 Rounds
- 6x Air Squats
- 3x In-Place Lunges
- 3x Jumping Lunges
- 3x Squat Jumps
- 6x Poor Man’s Leg Curl (1-Leg)
(2) 10 Rounds
- 1/2x Pull Up
- 3/6x Bench Dip
- 5/8x Push up
- 8x Situps
(3) 5 Rounds
- 30 Second 40-foot shuttle
- 30 Second rest
(4) 3 Rounds
- Foam Roll Legs and Lower back
- Lat + Pec Stretch
********
SESSION 2
Obj: Work Capacity, Chassis Integrity
Warm Up:
3 Rounds
- 4-Square Drill
- 10x Air Squats
- 10x Push ups
- Instep Stretch
Training:
(1) 5 Rounds for Time
- Run 200m
- 5x Burpees
- 10x Situps
(2) 15 Minute Grind
- 5x Kneeling Plate Half Moon @ 25#
- 5x Slasher @ 12/16kg
- 5x Power Clean + Push Press @ 45/65#
(3) 3 Rounds
- Foam Roll Legs and Low Back
- 5x Shoulder Dislocate
- ************
SESSION 3
REST DAY
************
SESSION 4
Obj: Endurance, Chassis Integrity
Training:
(1) Run 1 Mile
Rest 5 Minutes
(2) Run 1 Mile
(3) 10 Minute Grind
- 10/10 Standing Founder
- 10/10 Low Back Lunge
- 10/10 Kneeling Founder
- 10x Face Down Back Extension
(3) 3 Rounds
- Hip Flexor Stretch
- Instep Stretch
- Frog Stretch
************
SESSION 5
Obj: Strength, Work Capacity
Warm up:
3 Rounds
- Jump Rope 1 Minute
- 3/5x Push ups
- 2/3x Chin ups
- 10x Air Squats
- Instep Stretch
Training:
(1) 10 Rounds
- 6x Air Squats
- 3x In-Place Lunges
- 3x Jumping Lunges
- 3x Squat Jumps
- 6x Poor Man’s Leg Curl (1-Leg)
(2) 10 Rounds
- 1/2x Pull Up
- 3/6x Bench Dip
- 5/8x Push up
- 8x Situps
(3) 5 Rounds
- 30 Second 40-foot shuttle
- 30 Second rest
(4) 3 Rounds
- Foam Roll Legs and Lower back
- Lat + Pec Stretch
- Hip Flexor Stretch
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