I just recently returned from SFAS this weekend and wanted to reach back out to MTI to say thanks for the quality training program and for making the coaches so accessible throughout the process. I'm happy to report that I was selected and felt great throughout the course. I was able to continue performing long into the course when so many of my peers began to deteriorate. I'm taking a week off and then getting right back after it in preparation for the Q Course. The grip training, heavy rucks, and run/ruck intervals were the key pieces that I believe made me overall successful. Again, thanks to you and the MTI crew for pointing us in the right direction and making our goals obtainable.
Good afternoon. I am following your program and its amazing. I am thankful I found such a comprehensive and effective routine. .I go for selection soon. We did a 5 mile ruck/run so I took today off. Today was suppose to be a 10 mile ruck on week 7. I think pretty soon my body will adapt. Thank you for the amazing info. My LT was amazed, he said this was the most comprehensive plan he had ever seen. You guys really take pride in your work. That means so much to those of us who want to qualify to be the best in the world. Thank you again.
I just wanted to send my thanks for your Ruck Based Selection Program. Just got back from SFAS and was selected! I was in the top 10% for all events and
rucks. Was able to beast through Team Week even after the long days and
nights of the STAR Course. I couldn’t have made it through without your
program. Amazing job in what you and your team do. As a guy who isn’t
infantry, it was difficult in figuring out where to start with my training.
You took the guess work out of it, and it paid off in the end. Thank you so
much. – A
I recently attended the special forces selection and passed it. I give a lot of credit to your ruck-based selection training program. It was a very helpful tool and not to mention it kicked my ass, but it prepared me like no other.
– N
<span class="s1">I am a little late to sending this, however, I wanted to take a moment and let you know that I appreciate what you do for our community. I recently successfully completed SFAS at the end of January and was selected to start the SFQC.</span>
<span class="s1">A little background on me and your training program. I first found your Mountain Athlete in 2009, when I was a Sophomore at The Citadel in Charleston, SC. I stumbled upon your programming by doing some of my own research. I was initially extremely disheartened when the only programming I could ever find for Military (or sport specific) training was all body weight and running that included thousands of reps. I quickly became pretty burnt out conducting “Army” PT in the morning and my own lifting regiment that I picked up from high school sports in the afternoon. Anyway, I quickly began to follow some crossfit workouts, but I did not believe in the “random” training aspect. I wanted to get more sport specific. So I compared all different athletes and tried to figure out what sport is most closely related to “Military Fitness” needs. So I researched professional climbing workouts and coaches. I finally stumbled upon your website as well as Gym Jones. Since then, I have been following your Military Athlete programs to help me complete and exceed at IBOLC, Ranger, and most recently SFAS. I can tell you up front that I could not have been so successful without the training you and your team develops at Mountain Tactical Institute.</span>
<span class="s1">I utilized your Ruck Based V5 Selection program to prepare for SFAS. I will say, the programming was definitely pretty difficult and required some dedication at times (but anything worth doing does). At selection, I was able to finish in the top 1% for the rucks, including the trek. However, the runs I was finishing more in the top 20%-30%. I would like to believe that is because the younger 18Xs are just ridiculously fast runners. I would like to offer some feedback to you from my thoughts on your training plan and its effectiveness in preparing for SFAS. </span>
<span class="s1">– APFT – I maxed the APFT and ran a 12:25 2-Mile. Only thing I would recommend here is addition of some extra push up training during the week, maybe included in the 6 mile run workouts.</span>
<span class="s1">– 6 mile running workouts – the 2 mile repeats were probably the thing I dreaded the most each week. I definitely got use to the mileage and suck factor, however, I was just curious on the effectiveness v. the recovery factor every week doing those repeats at a 13:30 pace after an AM workout.</span>
<span class="s1">– Strength – I believe your sandbag focused strength training effectively helped with the “awkward” lifting of heavy shit that occurs quite often at SFAS. Only suggestion I would make is possible addition of some extra low carry training.</span>
<span class="s1">– Rucking – obviously your ruck training was on point. It helped me finish consistently in the top <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>of the class. I don’t really have a recommendation here just kind of curious to the need of 16 Mile and 18 Mile rucks. Of course, I completed them because they were on my training calendar and for some reason I just can’t skip something that’s written down, possibly my stubbornness. However, I just thought maybe it was a little excessive to go over 12 Miles when we are focusing on a training effectiveness v. durability for Selection aspect. These are just me thoughts here, and like I said, I still completed the 16 and 18 miles.</span>
<span class="s1">I just wanted to provide you and your coaches with some feedback. I logged every single one of my workouts on paper and I would like to send my data to you if you believe it could be useful for improvement in the future. It astonishes me that the Military and its personnel are not treated more like athletes when it comes to fitness, nutrition, and recovery. All the Army programs that are out there seem to me to be half assed and behind the power curve. Your programming is the closest I can get to having an individual trainer who knows what I need ( and I would not be against paying you for personal training). Again Rob, Thank you for everything you and your team does at MTI, keep up the good work because there are a lot of us out here that rely on programing like yours. </span>
<span class="s1">Sir,</span>
<span class="s1">I recently was selected through SFAS to continue in the SF Q-Course as a hand amputee. The difference between success and failure in many aspects was your Ruck Based Selection Training Plan. Thank you for your passion and ability in programming effective workout regimens. </span>
<span class="s1">Just wanted to say thanks for all the work you’ve been doing in the functional fitness field. I’ve used your plans a few times in my military career. Most recently your Ruck Based Selection Plan. I attended SFAS in November of this past year and was Selected. I was definitely prepared for the physical aspect thanks to your programming.</span>
<span class="s1">Keep it up! – A</span>
I’m a huge fan of your work. I appreciate the scientific rigor you use to create truly inspired workout programs for military guys like me. I just (mostly) finished the Ruck-based Selection train-up and it helped me finish in the top 10 of a support company of over 100 Soldiers during a week of physical events that included the APFT, pull-ups, rope climb, CWST, 5-mile run, and 12-mile ruck. – N
Just got home from SFAS, successfully selected. I know you’ve got tons of athletes, but I’m going to run down a quick laundry list on<strong> how your program has had a direct and significant impact in my life:</strong>
In 2009, I was first introduced to your program as my USMA <strong>Sandhurst team used it to get ready for the 2010 competition. The training helped us place first in the nation that year.</strong> At the end of 2010, after working through operator sessions over the summer, I used your <strong>ruck based selection program to get ready for Ranger School.</strong> Day 4 of Ranger School, I blew my knee out on the Darby Queen.
Not knowing the extent of the injury, I got up, dusted myself off, and completed the next 59 days of Ranger School. I would later learn I had torn three ligaments and my meniscus. In November 2011, I had surgery on that injury and used your single leg program to get back in shape while my knee healed. <strong>With the help of the single-leg program, I recovered a month ahead of schedule and was able to assist in the rehabilitation of over twenty other soldiers</strong> in my unit dealing with leg injuries.
My unit used your programming to <strong>prepare for our 2013 Afghan deployment, to much success.</strong> In February 2014, I coached a Best Ranger Competition team from Fort Campbell- <strong>we used your BRC prep. The team, first time competitors, finished 21st out of 50 teams with zero training or competition injuries.</strong> Finally, I used your Ruck Based Selection Program to get ready for <strong>SFAS this past May- I placed in the top 10% for the course with zero recovery issues and zero injuries.</strong>
Thanks for what you do, from the programs to operator sessions to the forums and gear. <strong>Your work has helped me reach so many goals in this profession.</strong> Look forward to more.
J
To say I thoroughly enjoyed the Ruck-Based Selection Training Packet doesn’t even begin to do justice.<strong> I only thought I’ve been in shape in the past. After finishing the entire thing I feel incredible.</strong> I even had my girlfriend do the program with me. She’s a sponsored bikini competitor and other than dieting changes, she followed this program and still was able to compete and do well. So Thank You, for doing such an excellent job. I have my official selection date now and<strong> I’ll be attending SFAS in January 2016. I have no injuries or any problems what-so-ever after the 7 months it took to complete the packet.</strong>
<span class="s1">I wanted to thank you for all the great programming and advice. I recently attended my unit’s SFRE (a mini-SFAS based event that screens and selects candidates to go onto SFAS) and was one of several selected. I owe a large portion of the success to your insights and training programs, specifically the <b>ruck based selection packet and daily operator sessions. </b> We did multiple events virtually back to back over the four day period such as timed 2 mile and 4 mile runs, timed 6 mile and 12 mile rucks and also many team events. Everything we did involved rucking over long distances as well. Being able to perform to the standard was difficult given the short breaks between timed events and overall sheer volume placed on our bodies from the rucking. Thanks Rob, couldn’t have done it without the great programming!</span>
–E
Rob,
First of all, i just wanted to say thanks. I did your 8 Week Ruck Based SFAS prep program and just got selected. Physically i was well prepared for the events, and afterwards am recovering much faster than some others. A few days after the last event i actually felt completely fine.
Thanks again!
Subscribe to MTI's Newsletter - BETA
