US Secret Service PFA Training Plan

$39.00

  • 6-Week, 6 day/week training plan “sport-specifically” designed to improve US Secret Service Physical Fitness Assessment
  • Plan is intensely focused on the PFT events: Push Ups, Sit Ups, Chin Ups and 1.5 Mile Run
  • This training plan is one of the 250+ Plans included with an Athlete’s Subscription.

Description

This 6-week, 6 day/week training program is sport-specifically designed to improve scores on the US Secret Service Physical Fitness Assessment (USSS PFA). 

  1. Maximum number of push-ups in one minute
  2. Maximum number of sit-ups in one minute
  3. Maximum number of chin-ups, no time limit
  4. Timed one and one-half mile (1.5 mile) run

Click HERE for more details on the USSS PFA, including specific exercise protocols and scoring. See pages 18-21.

This is Version 1 of the plan, designed in December 2022.

DESCRIPTION

This plan follows 6-day per week, format. The Final (6th) week is an unload or “taper” week, with reduced volume to allow recovery before taking the USSS PFA.

You’ll take the complete USSS PFA three times completing this plan … at the beginning, in the middle, and at the end. Each time the program uses your most recent PFA scores for the follow-on progressions. In this way the program automatically “scales” the incoming, and improving fitness of each individual athlete and continues to push you as your fitness improves. 

 

WEEKLY SCHEDULE

  • Monday Weeks 1, 3, 6: USSS PFA
  • Monday Weeks 2, 4, 6: Push-up / Sit-ups / Chin-up Progression
  • Tuesday: 800m Repeats
  • Wednesday: Push-up / Sit-ups / Chin-up Progression
  • Thursday: 800m Repeats
  • Friday: Push-up / Sit-ups / Chin-up Progression
  • Saturday: 3-5 Mile moderate pace run

PUSH-UP / SIT-UP / CHIN-UP PROGRESSIONS

During this program, every number of calisthenics repetitions you perform is based on the number of repetitions you completed at your most recent USSS PFA.

Example:

Athlete performs 35x Push-ups on USSS PFA No.1 (Session 1).

(1) 6 Rounds, every 75 sec.

  • 30% of your Max Reps Push-Ups from SESSION 1

Which means …..

  • – 30% of 35x Push-ups is 10.5 (.3 x 35 = 10.5). Round up to get 11.
  • – Set a repeating countdown timer for 75 sec.
  • – On Round 1, do 11x Push-ups as fast as possible, then rest for the remaining time in the 75 sec. interval. The faster you finish, the more rest you get before beginning Round 2.
  • – When Round 1’s 75 seconds is up, immediately begin Round 2 by completing 11x push-ups with proper form, then rest for the remainder of the 75 second interval.
  • – Repeat this through 6 Rounds.

The Sit-up and Chin-up progressions work in the exact same way.

1.5 MILE RUN TRAINING

This plan trains your 1.5 mile run fitness with two approaches:

(1) Speed Over Ground
You’ll run hard, fast or 800m interval repeats, two times/week. Your 800m interval pace will be prescribed for you based on your most recent 1.5 mile run time using the MTI Running Calculator. 

(2) Aerobic Endurance
You’ll run an 3-5 miles once per week (Saturday) at a moderate pace. 

REQUIRED EQUIPMENT

  • Stopwatch with a repeating countdown interval timer (smartphone app will work)
  • Running area (track or other) with known 1.5 mile and 800m distances
  • Pull up bar
  • Foam Roller

COMMON QUESTIONS

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.

What if I can’t do the whole session?
If you don’t have enough time to complete the whole session, you can split the session into two.

I can’t make all my rounds of sit-ups, push-ups or chin-ups unbroken. It it okay to break the prescribed reps into sets?
Yes for the sit ups and chin ups. Break as necessary to complete your reps with perfect form, but don’t extend the 75 second interval.

Push ups – rather than breaking the reps into sets, if you are having trouble completing the prescribed reps, go to your knees and try to complete them on your knees before breaking to rest. Don’t extend the 75 second interval unless absolutely necessary. This is a difficult progression … don’t be surprised or embarrassed if you have to go to your knees.

What if I’m having trouble completing the running repeats/intervals?
Extend the rest period by 60 seconds, and try again. Keep fighting. Expect to be pushed.

How much rest should I take between finishing this program and taking the official PFA?
2-3 days total rest. Week 6 of the training plan tapers back the intensity and includes schedules rest days.

How far out from my PFA should I complete this plan?
Complete this training plan the six weeks (plus 2-3 days for rest) before your official PFA.

Can I repeat this program?
Yes, but we recommend you take at least a week full rest if you plan to complete it back to back. Also – don’t expect the same improvement the second time through. 

How much improvement should I see?
10-40% in overall score depending upon your incoming fitness. Fitter athletes will see less overall improvement. Less fit athletes will see greater overall improvement.

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.

Required Equipment


  • Stopwatch with a repeating countdown interval timer (smartphone app will work)

  • Running area (track or other) with known 1.5 mile and 800m distances

  • Pull up bar

  • Foam Roller

Sample Training

Below is the First Week from this Training Plan:

MONDAY
SESSION 1
Obj: USSS APAT No. 1

Warm up:

4 Rounds
10x Squats
5x Push Ups
5x Sit Ups
Run 50m
Instep Stretch
Lat + Pec Stretch

Training: 

(1) 1 Minute Max Rep Push Ups

** Rest 5 Minutes

(1) 1 Minute Max Rep Sit Ups

** Rest 5 Minutes

(2) Max Rep Strict, Dead Hang Chin Ups Ups - no time limit, but you can't release the bar or touch your feet to the floor or bench.

*** Rest 10 Minutes

(3) 1.5 Mile Run for Time

RECORD RESULTS

Comments: USSS Cadre are very exacting on push up, sit up and chin up form. For proper form and exercise protocols, click HERE and see pages 18-21. For today's assessment and all the following progressions and test, complete the push ups, sit ups and chin ups and pull ups to USSS APAT standards. No shortcuts!

******************************

 

TUESDAY
SESSION 2
Obj: Run Intervals

Warm up:

4 Rounds
10x Squats
5x Push Ups
Run 50m
Instep Stretch
Lat + Pec Stretch

Training:

(1) 3 Rounds
Run 800m at your "800m pace" using your SESSION 1, 1.5-mile Run Assessment time and the MTI Run Calculator.
Rest 5 minutes between efforts

(2) 2 Rounds
Hip Flexor Stretch
Instep Stretch
Pigeon Stretch

******************************

 

WEDNESDAY
SESSION 3
Obj: Push Up / Sit Up / Chin Up Progression

Warm up:

4 Rounds
10x Squats
5x Push Ups
5x Sit Ups
Instep Stretch
Lat + Pec Stretch

Use your SESSION 1 assessment results to calculate today's reps.

Training:

(1) 6 Rounds, every 75 seconds
30% of your Max Rep Push Ups from SESSION 1

So, if you scored 35x Push Ups on Session 1, 35 x .3 = 10.5 or 11 (round up). Set a repeating countdown timer to 75 seconds. On "Go" complete 11x push ups as fast as possible. The faster you finish the more rest you get before the next round begins. 

(2) 6 Rounds, every 75 seconds
30% of your Max Rep Sit Ups Ups from SESSION 1

(2) 6 Rounds, every 75 seconds
30% of your Max Rep Chin Ups Ups from SESSION 1

(3) 2 Rounds
Lat + Pec Stretch
Foam Roll Legs, Low and Upper Back

******************************

 

THURSDAY
SESSION 4
Obj: Run Intervals

Warm up:

4 Rounds
10x Squats
5x Push Ups
Run 50m
Instep Stretch
Lat + Pec Stretch

Training:

(1) 3 Rounds
Run 800m at your "800m pace" using your SESSION 1, 1.5-mile Run Assessment time and the MTI Run Calculator.
Rest 5 minutes between efforts

(2) 2 Rounds
Hip Flexor Stretch
Instep Stretch
Pigeon Stretch

******************************

 

FRIDAY
SESSION 5
Obj: Push Up / Sit Up / Chin Up Progression

Warm up:

4 Rounds
10x Squats
5x Push Ups
5x Sit Ups
Instep Stretch
Lat + Pec Stretch

Use your SESSION 1 assessment results to calculate today's reps.

Training:

(1) 6 Rounds, every 75 seconds
35% of your Max Rep Push Ups from SESSION 1

So, if you scored 35x Push Ups on Session 1, 35 x .35 = 12.25 or 13 (round up). Set a repeating countdown timer to 75 seconds. On "Go" complete 13x push ups as fast as possible. The faster you finish the more rest you get before the next round begins. 

(2) 6 Rounds, every 75 seconds
35% of your Max Rep Sit Ups Ups from SESSION 1

(2) 6 Rounds, every 75 seconds
35% of your Max Rep Chin Ups Ups from SESSION 1

(3) 2 Rounds
Lat + Pec Stretch
Foam Roll Legs, Low and Upper Back

******************************

 

SATURDAY
SESSION 6
Obj: Moderate Pace Run

Warm Up:
4 Rounds
10x Squats
Run 50m
Instep Stretch

Training: 

(1) Run 3 Miles, Moderate Pace

"Moderate" = comfortable but not easy

(2) Foam Roll Legs, Low Back

(2) 2 Rounds
Hip Flexor Stretch
Instep Stretch
Pigeon 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.

Our Stuff Works. Guaranteed.

By Rob Shaul

I received notes frequently from athletes hesitant to purchase a subscription or training plans asking me to sell them on why they should make the purchase.

While I understand the question, I’m not a salesman – so I can’t put a hard sale on anyone for our programming.

I can tell them the process we go through to design our programming.

We begin with extensive research on the fitness demands of the event, identify the exercises and progressions which sport specifically meet those demands, chose end-of-cycle goals, and program backward to design the plan.

Then we test the cycle on ourselves and our lab rats here in Wyoming. We document, note what works and doesn’t work, re-assess, and make changes and modifications.

Then we publish the programming in the form of one of our plans or as part of our subscription daily training sessions for tactical and mountain athletes.
We don’t stop there – our daily programming is the “tip of the spear” for our programming evolution. We use these sessions to learn and make continuous improvement.

As we learn more and improve, we go back, and update the sport-specific training plans on the website. For example, we’re currently on Version 5 of our Ruck Based Selection Training Plan and Version 3 of our Dryland Ski Training Plan and Version 4 of our Big Game Back Country Hunting Training Plan.

We understand our programing isn’t cheap, but we believe it’s a great value. The $79 for the Ruck Based Selection Training Plan, and $39 for the Dryland Ski Training Plan reflect the, research, work, innovative theory, iteration, testing and feedback we’ve put in and received to make these plans effective.

All that matters for us is outside performance, and we feel strongly that Our Stuff Works in the real world.

Here’s our guarantee:

1) Individual Training Plan Purchase:
If you purchase an individual training plan, follow it as prescribed before your season/event/pft/selection, and if you don’t feel you were physically ready for your season/event/pft/selection, and/or didn’t see dramatic improvements in your early season performance, we’ll refund your money, no questions asked.

2) Athlete’s Subscription
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.

Questions?
Email: rob@mtntactical.com

COMMON QUESTIONS:

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

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