We’ve been hard at work for our athletes in 2024, and will continue to do so into the new year. Below is a short list of new work from the year, and what we intend to accomplish in 2025. Happy Holidays and a Happy New Year!

What Happened in 2024

 

Revamped MTI App & Plan Updates

In March, we launched a complete revamp of the MTI App. After multiple survey iterations and beta testing (thank you to those who participated!) we had a successful launch and received great feedback from MTI Athletes on it’s design and utility. The app now provides embedded timers, assessment tracking, pre-populated loading, long-term assessment tracking, round trackers, and more. We recently updated the app based on user feedback to improve timer size and other functionalities.

As part of this effort, we’ve updated a large portion of our individual training plan catalog to ensure they enable the app features. Many of these training plans have been updated as part of this effort to reflect MTI’s latest programming approaches.

If you haven’t checked it out yet, you should. It’s available on IOS and Android app stores.

→IOS

→Android

Daily Streams

Based on athlete feedback, we identified that more athlete-specific, base fitness programming was needed for year-round training at an affordable price. While our Operator Sessions have been around for years, we’ve increased our offerings to ten total Daily Streams based on athlete type.

Keep an eye out, we’re adding one more in January… Mountain Pursuit for Backcountry Hunters.

• Military Operator Sessions
• LE SWAT/SRT Sessions
• LE Patrol/Detective Sessions
• Urban Fire/Rescue Sessions
• Wildland Fire Sessions
• General Fitness Sessions
• Busy Dad Sessions
• MTI 45+ Sessions
• BJJ/Grappling sessions
• Mountain Elite Sessions

New Training Plans & Packets

MTI’s training plan catalog is immense, and we’ll continue to add to it. Below is a list of 2024’s new training plans and packets. Do you have something you think we should write a plan for? Let us know –> coach@mtntactical.com

• The Fan Dance Training Plan
• Mountain Athlete In-Season Training Plan
• LLS Firefighter Stairclimb Training Plan
• Jiu Jitsu Competition Training Plan
• FBI SWAT Selection Training Packet
• SWAT/SRT Selection Training Packet
• Close Quarters Battle (CQB) Training Plan
• FBI Special Agent Recruitment Training Packet
• 75th Ranger Regiment RASP 1&2 Training Packet
• Naval Special Warfare Combine Training Plan
• Teton Crest Run Training Plan
• 100-Mile Ultra Stage Training Plan
• Colorado Grand Traverse Ski Mountaineering Training Plan

Continued Research

Our virtual lab rats remain hard at work, allowing us to test and improve our programming. This is a continuous effort, so expect to see more in 2025. Thank you to all of our Lab Rats!

• Mini Study: Valor Lab Rats Increase Strength, Rucking and Running Speed in 4-Week Study

• Mini Study: Lab Rats Increase Max Effort Strength, Aerobic Base in 4-Week Study

• Mini Study: 45+ Lab Rats See Strength Following 5-Week, 1RM-Based Multi-Modal Cycle

• Mini Study: Reducing Alpine Pack Weight by 7 Pounds Boosts Uphill Speed by 24%

• Study: Wildland Firefighters Can Burn Up to 6,200 Calories/Day Fighting Fires

• Mini Study: 1x/week Training Results in Grip Strength Endurance Improvement & Disappointing Burpee Work Capacity Results

• Mini Study: Explosive Repeat Intervals Leads to 12% Work Capacity Increase in Jiu Jitsu Athletes

• Mini Study Results: Percentage-Based Progression Beats Tempo for Strength, No Difference Between Interval and Negative Pull Up Progressions, More Work Needed on Aerobic Base Development

• Mini Study: Confounding Results on HIIT vs Sprints for Work Capacity Improvement

Camp Lejeune – USMC

MTI staff traveled to Camp Lejeune in North Carolina to work with small unit leaders at 2nd Battalion, 6th Marines. The intent behind the education was to teach a plug-and-play style methodology of implementing intentionally designed fitness training, specific to military athletes.

We led three classes, one per day, consisting of 40-50 Marines, of Squad or Section Leaders. The majority of the day took place in the classroom with near-constant practical application work, followed by implementing a student-designed training session with the class.

We enjoyed our time with these USMC leaders, and it served as a great touch-point on ensuring our work was in line with the needs of Military Athletes.

• Read the Wrap Up Full Article Here

Podcast Launch

MTI joined the podcast fray in 2024 with weekly episodes. We’re on Episode #27 as of the last week of 2024, and plan to keep it up. We’re always interested in what you want to hear… shoot us interesting topics –> coach@mtntactical.com

Our episodes are published on Apple, Spotify, and Youtube. Check them out!

Research Round-Up & Simple Rules

We launched the ‘Simple Rules’ article series in 2024, aiming to review academic studies and meta-analysis on topics pertaining to MTI Athletes. We’ve covered issues like pre-workout supplements, cold water immersion, sauna use, booze guidelines, and more. The purpose is to break down complex topics and provide simple takeaways for MTI’s readers.

The Research Round-Up articles keep us informed on the latest academic work in the strength and conditioning/performance field, and we aim to break it down into simple, actionable insights. Check out the articles below:

• Simple Rules Articles
• Research Round Up Articles

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What’s Coming in 2025

 

MTI Programming Book

Rob is hard at work finishing MTI’s Programming Book. We intend to make this available in hard copy and digital formats. Keep an eye out for book launch details.

Virtual Programming Education

We’re testing the concept of live virtual education for athletes and coaches. These will likely be 1-hour, interactive seminars on a defined topic like progression design, meso-cycle design, macro-cycle design, and implementation.

New Facility

Covid-19 forced the shutdown of our Jackson Hole gym, and we’ve been making due with partnerships and virtual lab rats since then. We’re investigating options for a new facility or a partnership with a like-minded facility. More to follow in 2025.

More Research, More Training Plans

As always, this remains a core effort of MTI. We want to continue to push the envelope on program design for tactical and mountain athletes. The research is critical to questioning our assumptions and developing a craftsman’s approach to the best programming available.

See somewhere that we can improve? Let us know

MTI Athletes drive our continuous improvement process. Your feedback is critical. See somewhere where we can improve? Let us know –> coach@mtntactical.com