Our ‘Ask Rob’ series is a direct line to MTI’s Founder, Rob Shaul. We’ll provide in-depth answers on training, coaching, gear, and mountain/tactical topics of any kind (within reason).
If you sent a question this week and don’t see a response, don’t fret. We’ll publish the answer to your question in the following week.
Question for Rob? Click the button below to submit. See below for this week’s responses from Rob.
Hi, Rob. How have injury rates trended with the athletes training under MTI programming? Nothing implied. It just seems MTI athletes go hard quite often. Thank you.
We’ve never experienced the injury issues Crossfit has over the years, if that’s what you’re getting at. And I disagree that MTI programming’s volume is super high – with the exception of our selection and other event-specific programming. Overall, MTI’s programming, by design, reflects the specific, mission-direct fitness demands of our athletes’ sports and progressions. It just happens that the fitness demands of mountain and tactical athletes, especially in terms of volume, are much higher than that of team-sport athletes. Our “base” fitness programming is 4-5 days/week, 45-60 minutes per session and I pride myself on constantly tweaking program design to make it as time efficient and effective as possible.
MMA has increased greatly in popularity over the years. You have responded to that admirably with MTI’s BJJ programming. To my mind, however, your work is not finished. You must develop MTI’s Striking programming, irrespective of the possible objection that its relevance to the infantryman is ‘limited’, mean that what it may.
I am a prior service Marine. I served in the infantry, the Scout/Sniper community and MARSOC. I have been familiar with your programming for over a decade now. As such, I want to see MTI — and no one else — develop Striking programming.
I do not pander when I say that no one does it like you. Furthermore, no one can develop Striking programming like you can because, to my mind, you know the needs of the infantryman like no one else. What, then, is your objection thereto? Supposing you have one, is it sufficiently compelling to justify neglecting further the development of Striking programming we know you can make relevant to the infantryman?
In general, I try to keep in my lane, but if pressed enough by athletes I’ll reach out and design programming for athletes I don’t usually work with. An example of this is our triathlon programming. There are a bazillion triathlon prep plans available in books and online, and for years I resisted designing for tri’s. But, after being asked over a dozen times or so I went ahead and designed 3-4 triathlon plans – all using my unique approach. These haven’t been big sellers for us – but they did help expand my programming toolbox as I learned how traditional triathlon programs are designed, and in my mind at least, how I could improve them. For example, traditional triathlon plans are time-based … i.e. swim for a certain time, then bike for a certain time, then run for a certain time and the times increase as the programming progresses.
Also – I couldn’t find a traditional triathlon plan where the coach designing the plan actually had the athlete completing a full triathlon before the actual race day! – which I thought was a mistake. As a strength and conditioning coach, ideally, I never want my athletes to experience something during the real thing they haven’t felt or seen before in my programming getting them ready for it.
As a result, MTI triathlon training plans are distance, not time-based, and athletes complete multiple scaled or full triathlons prior to their race.
Our BJJ programming began organically when one of my coaches started practicing BJJ and brought to me some of the specific demands. As well, our Tactical BJJ programming reflects the reatlity that many tactical athletes practice BJJ on the side.
I have received multiple requests for MMA and boxing fitness plans, but to this point have resisted – simply because there already is a lot of programming available already (esp. for MMA) and I don’t have any direct experience working with MMA athletes or boxers. So – I’d be stepping somewhat out of my lane. And, if I did move in this direction, the programming would be totally fitness-focused – there’d be nothing on technique – which is how our BJJ plans work now.
So … I’ll consider it, and perhaps a “Tactical MMA” route is the way we need to go – i.e. base fitness programming for tactical athletes who also practice MMA on the side.
What is the best way/age to begin weight training for my 10-year-old son who plays rugby?
10-years old is a little young, in my opinion, for free-weight training – especially since so much strength can be gained doing bodyweight training at that age … so I’d recommend bodyweight training. Specifically, from our stuff, the Bodyweight Foundation Training Plan which is assessment based and will automatcially scale to his incoming fitness.
Any apps/tools (or other resources) you use for time management? I’m a active duty service member still in my training pipeline looking to find time and how to manage it in this new demanding schedule
Sorry – I can’t offer anything more than common sense … which is primarily to minimize wasted time – tv, social media, online shopping, etc. Always be working.
Hey Rob, I’m at 64 year old retired member of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Since I retired 6 years ago, my training has been focused on a 60 minute Grind calisthenic circuit of 5 chinups, 5 Ring Dips, 20 squats, completed 5 days per week. This program seems to have allowed me to maintain lean body mass (fighting off sarcopenia), as well as maintain my stamina base. My question is this, have you used a similar approach with any of your athletes, and if so, what was the outcome?
Not specifically this routine, but there is an issue with doing the same thing every day … eventually you’ll fully accommodate and stop gaining any fitness. Plus, the programming will become stale. As well, you’re only training right now is strength endurance … and only for upper and lower body strength. There’s no mid-section work, no work capacity, no running/endurance, etc, and no max effort strength training. So, in terms of general fitness, you have several “holes” in yours.
This is one of the great benefits of doing someone else’s programming. I’ve found that when left to their own devices, most tactical athletes do either (1) what they’ve always done, or (2) what they’re good at – which is usually also what they’ve always done. I could be wrong, but I suspect this is what you’re doing. And, if I was to give you a simple fitness assessment which included a strength, work capacity, core strength and endurance elements, you’d see immediately where you’re routine is lacking.
This is why MTI’s base fitness programming concurrently trains strength, work capacity, endurance and chassis integrity (core). I purposely manipulate the way each of these is trained cycle to cycle, to avoid staleness for the athlete, but each is trained.