SSD

Arete is a hand-picked weekly list of the most thought-provoking articles, essays, and links I come across—curated for mountain and tactical athletes. Not always the newest, but always worth your time. It’s what I’d forward to a sharp teammate or training partner. — Rob Shaul, Founder, Mountain Tactical Institute MILIARY / NATIONAL SECURITY Navy Cancels Constellation-class Frigate […]

Above: Alpinist and former Freeski World Champion, Jessica Baker, Climbing the West Buttress of Denali before a ski descent. By Rob Shaul BLUF A 2024 academic paper surveyed 200 studies on how nutrition, hydration, and supplements affect health and performance in high-altitude mountaineering. The paper, Nutrition, hydration and supplementation considerations for mountaineers in high-altitude conditions: […]

By Rob Shaul BLUF Across multiple sources, including Army Training Brigade data from 2015 (Fivecoat et al.), a 2023 peer-reviewed predictor study (Benedict et al.) which looked at 2015 data, and practitioner insight (Spencer, 2016), a consistent pattern emerges: RAP Week is the decisive filter for Ranger School. Around 50–60% of all Ranger School failures […]

Have a training question? Email Rob Shaul, rob@mtnactical.com ––––––––––––––––––––––– Can You Build Relative Strength Without Carbs? ATHLETE:I emailed you a few months ago regarding fitness and nutrition. My question now is this, do you see military athletes who are able to hit your ideal Bodyweight and strength numbers for bench, Front squat, and deadlift while […]

By Rob Shaul, Founder BLUF A 2024 meta-analysis in the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research reviewed 12 randomized controlled trials examining creatine supplementation combined with resistance training (RT) in healthy adults under 50. Across studies, creatine users gained an average of 1.14 kg more lean body mass (LBM) and reduced body fat mass by 0.7 kg and body fat percentage by […]

Arete is a hand-picked weekly list of the most thought-provoking articles, essays, and links I come across—curated for mountain and tactical athletes. Not always the newest, but always worth your time. It’s what I’d forward to a sharp teammate or training partner. — Rob Shaul, Founder, Mountain Tactical Institute Not subscribed yet? → Sign Up Now.  Know someone who’d […]

Have a question for MTI Founder Rob Shaul? Email him directly, rob@mtntactical.com ––––––––––––––Post-Surgery Running Comeback and Weight Cut Strategy ATHLETE:Good evening, I found your running calculator and need some advice. My current 1.5 mile time is 14:58 and today was my first run post- foot surgery. So not too bad, but not where I need to […]

In October, MTI Founder, Rob Shaul, was interviewed by Dr. Patrick Fink on Dr. Fink’s Wilderness Medicine Updates Podcast. The interviewed covered MTI’s approach to fitness training for Wilderness SAR professionals and volunteers and Quiet Professionalism. Click HERE for a link to the podcast.

By Rob Shaul, Founder BLUF A 2018 PLOS ONE study compared ten weeks of dynamic versus isometric core training among advanced and elite climbers. Both groups completed the same four exercises—foot-lift, arm lock-off, prone bridge, and side bridge—twice per week. The only difference was movement: the dynamic group performed repetitions through a range of motion, while the […]

Above: CORONADO, CALIF. (JULY 10, 2023) U.S. Navy SEAL candidates lift inflatable boats during the “Hell Week” crucible of Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUD/S) training on Naval Amphibious Base Coronado. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Dylan Lavin) By Rob Shaul, Founder BLUF A recent study in the Journal of Strength and Conditioning […]