KUDOS:
In preparation for climbing/skiing a technical line on Aconcagua I thought I would try something new for preparation and used your Big Mountain Training Program. While I did supplement the program with long runs (9-14 miles) 4-5 days a week and big weekend outings here in Breckenridge there is no doubt that the program had me in the best climbing shape of my life. All of my mountaineering/skiing/climbing partners have all commented on how much stronger I am. At no point during the entire 2-weeks on the mountain did I feel strength was ever a limiting factor.
I completely plan on continuing to utilize the workouts going forward and will use the full program again when it’s time to get ready for the next big climb.
QUESTION
I bought your 6 week program for the FBI PFT and let me just say thank you! I have made some really awesome gains the last few weeks! It hasn’t been easy, most days I was cussing your workout plan under my breath!! Ha!
I have a question….this week I finish the 6 week program. I still have awhile before I take the official PFT. What is your suggestion? Should I start this program over again from the beginning and just work through the 6 weeks again? I really appreciate the advice and your top notch workout plans!!!
ANSWER
It depends upon how long you have until you take the official PFT. You’ll want to repeat this plan the 6 weeks directly before taking the test. If you’ve got more time than that, I’d recommend you complete the Bodyweight Training Plan now: http://mtntactical.com/shop/bodyweight-i-training-program/
This will change stuff up for you, and help round out your fitness prior to re-completing the PFT Plan.
QUESTION
I live in Atlanta, Georgia and have recently signed up to climb Mt. Rainier in July 2015. Long story short I spend as much time as I can in the woods and work out 4 days a week. In my professional life I open restaurants for a living and am a new father. I want to take my fitness to the next level and have no time to waste trying to figure it out myself anymore. Physically I have been working to get my base shape up to par and had to ease into it- 2011 was met with 4 stomach surgeries that have taken time to heal and have been cleared to finally get back after it again so I have been working hard the past year. I am writing to see what would be the best program for me to purchase in order to get ready for Rainier and take my training to the next level.
ANSWER
I built the Big Mountain Training Plan specifically for long, high, non-technical climbs like Rainier: http://mtntactical.com/shop/big-mountain-training-program/
This plan is designed to be completed the 12 weeks directly before your climb. Between now and then I’d recommend you subscribe to the website and follow the SSD daily sessions, then 12 weeks out, cancel your subscription and complete the Big Mountain Plan.
QUESTION
I hope all is well with you. I’m a huge fan of mountain athlete – thanks for sharing these awesome tools with those of us outside of Jackson.
My climbing partner and I just booked a trip to climb the Grand Teton in late July 2015. I’d like to get an idea from you as to how you might prepare with ~7 months before the trip. Specifically, I’m looking to find out which plan or plans you recommend I purchase from SSD. Below is a bit more about me and my background:
- Live in New Hampshire – White Mountains (Mt. Washington, Presidential range, etc.) are my playground
- I’m building my mountaineering resume, but mainly with objectives in New Hampshire and Maine (everything is 6k feet tall or less)
- I’ve done some class 1 / class 2 type hiking in the 14ers of CO and have noticed minor effects from altitude, mainly minor headaches
- I run, bike, ski (nordic and alpine), and climb for other activities
- If I had to assess myself, my lungs are probably my weakness right now (legs are a little below average, core is average)
- I have access to a gym (with kettlebells, plyo boxes, olympic weightlifting setup, etc.), climbing gym, trad climbing, ice climbing…
I’d be happy to provide more info about me if that would be helpful. Thanks again!
ANSWER
I built the Peak Bagger Training Plan (http://mtntactical.com/shop/peak-bagger-training-plan/) specifically for summits like the Grand Teton. This plan is designed to be completed the 6 weeks directly before your travel to Jackson for your climb.
Between now and then, I’d recommend you subscribe to the website and follow the SSD training sessions, then cancel your subscription 6 weeks out and start the Peak Bagger Plan.
QUESTION
I am getting ready to start the backcountry ski program. Are you moving to use the quadzilla for your skiers instead of leg blasters like in the freeski section. Could I adapt the program if it is better for the legs?
ANSWER
The Quadzilla Complex is a progression up from the Leg Blasters – so yes, you can make the change. Start with 6 rounds of 4x Quadzilla, and work up to 6 Rounds of 7x or 8x.
I hope to update the dryland and backcountry plans this winter reflecting this and other evolution in our theory.
QUESTION
Do you have to indulge in the cheat like a mother day?
ANSWER
No. But over the years I’ve found a couple things …..
1) If you don’t cheat, you don’t stay on the diet.
2) The more you do the overall diet, the less and less you cheat on cheat day. It’s not that you don’t want to, but after eating clean all week, the cheat day indulgence can sometimes make you sick to your stomach. Now my cheat days revolve around bread. Years ago they were sweets – cinnamon rolls, etc, but now, I can take the grain, but all the sugar makes me feel icky….
QUESTION
I am looking to attend a GORUCK event in 2015 and am just curious if any athletes have used your programming for either Heavy or Selection? If so, how prepared they felt? I was also curious what the track record is for guys going through DEVGRU and/or Delta? To your knowledge have any operators used your programming prior to entering each aforementioned Selection? If so have you received any feedback?
I am a cop in NJ. I just recently became a member of a county wide SWAT team, which is where I learned about your site. I love what I have seen so far, and I ask about the aforementioned training programs because they are ones that I am interested in completing. I am 33 and very active and although I am not able to attempt selection for any SMU’s, it doesn’t mean I can’t train like one.
ANSWER
For the GORUCK plans, when we get feedback back I’ll post them as the “Kudos” at the bottom of the product description. So if you go to the GORUCK Challenge Plan (http://mtntactical.com/shop/goruck-challenge-training-plan/) and scroll to the bottom you’ll see the feedback.
We have heard back from guys who have used both the DEGVRU and Delta Plans successfully, but I don’t publish their comments.
QUESTION
I’m almost done with week 3 of the hypertrophy for skinny guys plan and it has been great so far. Just wanted to see what to do next. I’ve seen that you’ve been recommending Valor to others who have been finishing the hypertrophy program. My only concern is that where I’m stationed I don’t have the ability to run outside or access to an indoor track. I have a basketball court and treadmills. Will I still be able to do Valor, and if so what adjustments would I have to make, if any? I also have the ultimate meathead and body weight programs. Thank you for the great programs!
ANSWER
Valor (http://mtntactical.com/shop/valor/) includes 3-mile ruck run and running assessments, and 2x/week 1-mile intervals. If you’re willing to do these on a treadmill, Valor would be a good choice.
Another option would be a turn to strength, and do Ultimate Meathead Cycle (http://mtntactical.com/shop/ultimate-meathead-cycle/).
QUESTION
First, let me say thank you for all your great work. Your site and videos are a great source of knowledge and the programs I’ve purchased have kicked my butt in such a good way!
I have a question about scaling the Tough Mudder program for a shorter distance OCR. I used it for a Spartan Beast/Super weekend with great results and really enjoyed the workouts. Would it be ok to keep the endurance runs down to the distance of a shorter event (~4-5 miles) and keep the rest of the training days the same?
ANSWER
Absolutely you can drop the endurance runs down.
QUESTION
I’ve purchased a number of your workouts and have a question. I’m a police officer and was injured in the line of duty back in August. I currently have limited used of my right arm. I’m clear to do whatever on the left. I’m also good to run, ruck and fin swim. Got a program or ideas for me to train with? I’m in a funk over all of this, put on some weight and am not creative enough to design myself something.
ANSWER
We build the Training Plan for Athletes with an Arm Injury specifically for guys like you: http://mtntactical.com/shop/training-program-for-athlete-suffering-arm-injury/
The plan works around your injured limb – lot’s of one arm and other stuff – it’s not a rehab plan for your right arm.
It’s no joke. We understand how injuries can drive athletes crazy mentally. This will push you.
QUESTION
A friend of mine told me about mountain athlete awhile ago and when I looked I thought you guys had a program for big game hunting. I notice now that you do not have a program for that. So I’m wondering if there is something close to it or would it be possible to get a program developed for myself. I want to get into great hunting shape this coming fall and looking for a work out program that I can do at the local gym. If you can give me some type of direction that would be great.
ANSWER
We do have a plan specifically for Big Game Hunting. Here’s the link: https://mtntactical.com/shop/big-game-hunting-training-program/
QUESTION
Thanks for your programming. Over the last year I’ve run your Operator Sessions with a friend, your Military Endurance Cycle, your Bodyweight I and II cycles and I recently completed a selection course using one of your programs and felt that it was right on point. Unfortunately, I tore my ACL in my left knee and had to have a reconstruction (I opted for a hamstring graft). I also tore both the lateral and medial menisucus in that knee and had to have a microfracture procedure because of a small cartilage break. Due to the microfracture, I am on a non-weightbearing status for another three weeks. I have been completing my Physical Therapy sessions 3x per week and doing my prescribed exercises 3x per day on my own.
In light of this weightbearing restriction, are there any other changes to the single leg program you might recommend? I am presenting this program to my PT today for her review and I’m sure she will have no problems with it as long as I stay off of my left leg for the next three weeks.
I plan on running a linear progression (SS style) once I can use both legs at about the 8-10 week mark. I will be cleared for full activity at about the 6 month mark (I’m at the 3 week mark now). What are your thoughts on the linear progression versus repeating this program? Any other suggestions for programming as opposed to repeating this cycle?
Thanks for your efforts to keep America stronger,
ANSWER
You won’t be able to do the Single Limb Strength Plan – the exercises assume you can weight bear on both legs – for example, one of the exercises is Bulgarian Split Squats. Another is 1-leg hinge – which is okay if you have perfect balance – but if not, you’ll tap your injured leg toe down for balance.
One plan you could do is the Training Plan for Athletes Suffering Leg Injury (http://mtntactical.com/shop/training-program-for-athlete-suffering-from-leg/)
This plan trains the rest of your body around your injury – and many have done it wearing leg casts.
If you do continue with the single limb strength plan – just use crutches and common sense….
QUESTION
Before attending Ranger School I purchased the Ranger School Prep Workout. It worked great, thank you. I went straight through Ranger School and my body held up perfectly. The ruck preparation was key. The long walks in FL weren’t nearly as bad for me as some of my Ranger Buddies. That being said, my body is in shambles right now. I’ve been out of the field for two weeks and my body is finally relaxing and in recovery mode. It seems like every major joint gives me problems. What do you recommend for training in order to get back into pre ranger school shape? How long should I plan on doing active recovery? Should I lay off the weights for a little bit? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks again.
ANSWER
You should be about ready to start training again. I generally recommend guys take two weeks off.
Start back with strength. I’d recommend Rat 6 Strength: http://mtntactical.com/shop/rat-6-strength/
You may want to start with just 3 days/week – mon, wed, friday. So the sessions in order, but get extra rest days in. Perhaps take an easy run on Tues and Thurs. After a week or two, you should be good to hit it full on.
QUESTION
Recently I purchased the Bodyweight Training Program. Up front I want to say that I am very pleased with this purchase. It is great to have a solid, proven plan to follow that I can fit in with my busy lifestyle. That being said, I am curious if you can recommend alternate events to running. I ask because the area I live in has turned into a winter wonderland and running outside (I do not own a treadmill) is problematic. My wife is from Jackson, WY, so I understand if you are less than sympathetic to the “winter” excuse, and will drive on no matter what. I own a fully equipped garage gym with an Airdyne Bike, Speed/Jump Ropes, and a Concept2 Rower.
Also, I am curious if you have any plans for someone who wants to train for a Sprint Triathlon, while still keeping after their weightlifting. I was impressed with the Meathead Marathon Plan, and was curious if anything akin to that is in development. If not, I may definitely commission a plan once I am finished with Bodyweight.
ANSWER
You can sub in rowing, or step ups, or a bike. Don’t try to match the prescribed running distance. Rather match the time – so if the session calls for a 3 mile run, and you can run 8 min miles, that’s 24 minutes of work, so row or bike for 24 minutes.
Sprint Triathlon? No plans right now. There are so many other resources out there for triathlons.
QUESTION
What would be a good course of action in my next training cycle?
I have done the Bodyweight Training, Rat 6 Strength plan, and in week 5 of the 7 week Military Athlete Work Capacity plan. I have a chance at Ranger School within in the next year (date TBD) and I need to improve rucking. I am debating between signing up for the monthly operator sessions or picking another plan. Thanks for the advice.
ANSWER
Best option would be the Operator Sessions.
Next best would be Fortitude: http://mtntactical.com/shop/fortitude/ Fortitude combines strength with military-specific endurance – running and rucking.
QUESTION
I’m a serving reservist but have let my fitness slide in recent years to the point where I need a real lifestyle overhaul. I used to really enjoy platoon PT sessions and looked forward to showing off what I could do when it came time for the PFT – now I dread it and I’m desperate to turn things around.
I need to lose weight and improve all aspects of my fitness; from overall strength and muscular endurance to running and rucking times. I enjoy strength training, running and swimming and have access to a gym with barbells, kettlebells, TRX and machines but I’m not able to do crossfit-type workouts there.
Which training plans or packet would you recommend I buy in order to make best progress. Thank you and keep up the great work!
ANSWER
Begin with the On Ramp Training Plan: http://mtntactical.com/shop/on-ramp-training-plan/
QUESTION
I have been following the SFOD-D selection prep package. I just started the ruck improvement program during the RAT program as instructed.
On the 5 mile time trial I began to have a pain (almost feels like a cramp or that the sock is bunched up and pressing into my foot) on the outside of my right foot halfway between the toes and heel.
The area is not sensitive to touch. There is no swelling, discoloration or bruising. The area will remain a little sore (a very small amount, nothing significant) for a few days, then go away.
I can workout, spend long days on the range, do sprints, do stop and goes etc and it does not cause the pain.I step off for a ruck movement now and about .5-.75miles in it starts back up again.
Any advice for this issue? Is my foot cramping and I need to stretch it out?
ANSWER
I don’t have a solution for you. I’m sorry. Obvious suggestion – which I’m sure you’ve considered – is to change your boots or orthotics/inserts.
If it doesn’t act up during running, I’m thinking footwear.