Operator Hector: Balanced Strength, Work Capacity, Endurance

$59.00

• 7-Week Training Plan, 5 days/week

• Deploys our most recent evolution of Fluid Peridizaton

• Trains Strength, Work Capacity, Endurance, TAC SEPA and Chassis Integrity in a balanced format

• This training plan is one of the 450+ Plans included with an Athlete’s Subscription.

Description

Hector represents the most recent evolution of our day to day programming for operators and military athletes. This is a balanced, 7-Week, 5 day/week training plan which concurrently trains strength, work capacity, military endurance (running, ruck running), chassis integrity (functional core), and tactical agility in relatively equal proportions. Week 7 in the plan is a taper/unload week.

This is Version 4 of Hector, Updated November, 2024.

Strength
Hector deploys MTI’s “TLU” Strength progression. Each strength session, you’ll train a total body, lower body, and upper body exercise.

Work Capacity
Hector deploys multi-modal work capacity events over three different durations: (1) 5-minute event, short rest, then another 5-minute event; (2) 10-minute event, and (3) 20-minute event.

Chassis Integrity
ART and Low Back circuits are deployed in Hector. You’ll train at least one of each type each week. Each ART Circuit deploys an Anti-Rotation, Rotation, and Total Body core strength exercise. Each Low Back Circuit deploys three individual low back exercises.

Tactical Agility
Trained once per week during Hector. Three different tactical agility drills are deployed, both unloaded and loaded.

Endurance
Trained two ways: (1) 3-Mile Ruck Run assessment with follow-on 1-mile hard, fast, intervals, and; (2)3 mile unloaded running at a moderate pace. Endurance is trained twice per week.

WEEKLY SCHEDULE

  • Monday: Strength, Chassis Integrity
  • Tuesday: Tactical Agility, Work Capacity
  • Wednesday: Endurance (Ruck Running)
  • Thursday:  Strength, Chassis Integrity
  • Friday: Work Capacity, Endurance (Run)

COMMON QUESTIONS

What if I miss a day?
Begin where you left off when you return to training. This program is progressed – each session builds upon the prior session – so don’t skip a session or skip around. Follow the training sessions in order, regardless.

Where do I find unfamiliar exercises?
See our Exercise Library HERE. The Run/Ruck Calculator is listed as an exercise.

What about nutrition?
See our Nutritional Guidelines HERE.

Can I print out sessions to take to the gym?
Yes – you can print a week of programming at a time.

More Questions? Email: coach@mtntactical.com

Sample Training

Session 1

OBJ: Strength, Chassis Integrity

Warm Up

  • 4 Rounds:
    • 10x Goblet Squat - 25#
    • 5x Power Clean + Push Press - Start at 45/65# and increase load
    • 8x Sit Ups
    • 5x Shoulder Dislocates

Training

  • Power Clean + Push Press 1RM Work Up to a 1RM Power Clean + Push Press

How to work up to 1RM: Add 10-30# to your finishing warm up load and do 5x Reps. Then add 10-30# and do 3x Reps, then add 10-20# and do a single rep. Keep adding weight and do singles up into you reach 1RM. Aim to reach your 1RM by your 4th or 5th single.

5 Rounds

  • 2x Power Clean + Push Press - 85% 1RM
  • Hip Flexor Stretch

5 Rounds

  • Back Squat - Increase load rapidly each round until 5x is hard but doable
  • KB/Dumbbell Floor Press - Increase load rapidly each round until 5x is hard but doable

15 Minute Grind

    • 5x Kneeling Plate Half Moon - Start at 25# and increase load each round until 5x is hard but doable
    • 5x KB/Dumbbell Good Morning - 40/60#
    • 8x Scotty Bob - 25#

“Grind” = work steadily, not frantically through the exercises in this circuit for the prescribed time or rounds. Pace yourself, but don’t stop to rest.

2 Rounds:

    • Foam Roll Quads, Low Back
    • 3x Floor Slides

Session 2

OBJ: Tactical Agility, Work Capacity

Warm Up

4 Rounds:

  • 10x Goblet Squat - 12kg
  • 5x Hand Release Push Ups
  • 5x In-Place Lunges
  • 4x Prone to Sprint
  • Instep Stretch

Training

4 Rounds:

  • TAC SEPA - Tactical Pro Agility Drill - Wearing a 25# Weight Vest

5 Rounds, Every Minute on the Minute:

  • 5x Power Clean @ 50% 1RM
  • 40-Foot Shuttle Sprint
  • 30 Second Rest

2 Rounds:

  • Hip Flexor Stretch
  • 5x Shoulder Dislocates

Session 3

OBJ: Ruck Assessment No.1

Warm Up

4 Rounds:

  • 10x Squats
  • 5x Hand Release Push Ups
  • 10x Sit Ups
  • Run 100m
  • Instep Stretch

Training

Ruck Run 3 Miles for Time

    • Ruck Run - 3 Miles @ 45# Ruck plus 10 pounds dumbbell, sledge hammer, or rubber rifle

RECORD FINISH TIME


Session 4

OBJ: Strength, Chassis Integrity

Warm Up

4 Rounds:

  • Front Squat - Start at 45/65# and increase load as you warm up
  • 4x Scotty Bob - 25#
  • 8x Sit Ups
  • 5x Shoulder Dislocates

Training

Front Squat 1RM - Work Up to 1RM Front Squat

How to work up to 1RM: Add 10-30# to your finishing warm up load and do 5x Reps. Then add 10-30# and do 3x Reps. Then add 10-20# and do a single rep. Keep adding weight and do a single rep up into you reach 1RM. Aim to reach your 1RM by your 4th or 5th single.

5 Rounds:

  • 2x Front Squat - 85% 1RM
  • Elevated Pigeon Stretch

6 Rounds:

  • Rope Climb or 2x Tarzan Pull Ups
  • Alt. Stepups/Alt. - Increase load rapidly each round until 4x is hard but doable
  • Lat + Pec Stretch

15 Minute Grind

  • 20/20 Standing Founder
  • 20/20 Kneeling Founder
  • 12x Good Morning - Start at 45/65# and increase load each round until 6x is hard but doable

“Grind” = work steadily, not frantically through the exercises in this circuit for the prescribed time or rounds. Pace yourself, but don’t stop to rest.

2 Rounds:

  • Hug - Hip Mobility Drill
  • Foam Roll Low Back

Session 5

OBJ: Work Capacity, Endurance

Warm Up

3 Rounds:

  • Goblet Squat - 12kg
  • 5x Hand Release Push Ups
  • Instep Stretch
  • 5x Shoulder Dislocates

Training

6 Rounds For Time:

  • 4x Sandbag Getup - 40/60#. Alternate shoulders each round
  • 8x Tires/40ft Sprint

Moderate Run

  • Run 30 Minutes, Moderate Pace

“Moderate” = Comfortable but not easy

Testimonials

4/21/22

I’ve been doing “Hector” and I love it!
It’s incredibly novel and I look forward to each workout because different days have different attributes. My strength has gone up and my physical body weight has as well (something I am trying to increase). The exercise demonstrations are very helpful as well. I am excited to transition to “Apollo”. The "Greek Hero Packet" is extremely helpful and just what I need!


*******************************

"Just finished Greek Hero Plan Hector based on Rob and team's recommendations and I am once again hooked on another MTI /MilAth plan. I asked for a plan that would focus on explosive strength in short spaces and they nailed it. I will be continuing the Greek Hero series. MTI God bless you guys. I think it's apparent our military needs help in physical fitness training based on your Q and A posts. I hope you guys get broad recognition for this. Jealous at how fun your job must be.“

1)  Mission Direct

Gym numbers mean nothing. All that matters is mission performance. 

To this end, MTI’s fitness solutions and programming are not boxed in by convention, tradition, orthodoxy, public opinion or any other artificial constraint driven by inside or outside forces.

We begin with the raw fitness demands of the mission and build a fitness solution which directly prepares the athlete for those demands.

 

2) Fitness Solutions Built from the Ground Up

MTI’s programming is not “re-tread” bodybuilding, football, CrossFit, kettlebell, strength or general fitness programming. We’ve built our fitness programming for mountain and tactical athletes from the ground up.

The Fluid Periodization methodology we deploy to concurrently train multiple fitness attributes is completely original and has continued to evolve and improve over the years.

Our mid-section training methodology, Chassis Integrity, is also original, as is our endurance programming, 7 strength training progressions, tactical agility, and work capacity programming.

Our mountain sports pre-season training plans, tactical PFT, selection, school, course, and fitness improvement training plans across military, LE and Fire Rescue are MTI-developed, tested and athlete-proven.

Over the years hundreds of athletes and coaches have taken our advanced programming and unit fitness leader programming courses and MTI is widely recognized within the mountain and tactical professions and fitness media as a thought leader in fitness programming for military and tactical athletes.

 

3) The MTI Method

→ Research: MTI begins program design with extensive research of the fitness demands of the mission, sport or event, identifies the exercises and progressions which sport-specifically meet those demands, chose end-of-cycle goals, and program backward to design the training plan.

→ Deploy & Assess: We deploy the training plan “Lab Rats” at our Wyoming facility. Training session and cycle issues are identified and fixed as we work through the training plan. Post cycle we assess the programming’s effectiveness and efficiency. We keep the stuff that works, and fix or toss the stuff that doesn’t.

→ Publish & Assess Again: Plan is published for purchase as an individual training plan and made available to our subscribers. Feedback/results are assessed.

→ Iterate: We take what we learn from lab rats and athletes, re-visit, update and improve already published training plans. Several of our individual training plans are on their 4th or 5th version.

 

4) Mission-Direct Research

MTI exists to “Improve Mountain and Tactical Athletes mission performance and keep them safe.” To that end, we have developed a unique research methodology aimed at identifying real world areas of improvement and identifying immediately deployable mission-direct solutions. Click HERE to learn more about MTI’s Mission-Direct Research methodology, and Here to read about just few of our research efforts.

5) Field Proven

Our stuff works. Weekly we receive unsolicited reviews of our programming and testimonials to its effectiveness.

 

6) Programming Breadth

MTI’s library of 200+ sport-specific fitness plans for mountain and tactical athletes is unmatched. Resources range from specific programming for tactical special forces selections, to specific plans for climbing Rainier and Denali, to general fitness solutions such as running improvement, to post-rehab from injury.

Over the past decade, MTI has partnered with hundreds of athletes throughout their individual mountain and tactical careers, and provided fitness solutions as they face new mountain objectives, tactical schools, selections, PFTs and deployments, and came back from injury.

 

7) Worldwide Influence

Our work is not limited to US Athletes.

We’ve developed selection-specific training plans for Canadian, UK, Australian and German Special Forces Selections and worked with individual military personnel from Scandinavia, South, and Central America.

Canadian, Australian, UK and western European law enforcement and fire/rescue athletes have used MTI programming for mission-direct fitness.

On the mountain side, Alpinists from Japan to Slovakia have consulted with MTI and used MTI’s programming to prepare for mountain objectives.

 

8) Mission Performance beyond Fitness

MTI’s exists is to improve Mission Performance for mountain and tactical athletes and keep them safe. 

This focus on “mission direct” solutions, enhancements and improvements drives our work and research and extends beyond fitness solutions to include training, leadership, gear, team culture, and safety. 

Fitness is just one area of our work.

Our non-fitness research has included tactical cultures, combat uniforms, and gore-tex performance, and effect of stress on marksmanship.

Our work on defining what it means to be a Quiet Professional has had penetrating influence and driven healthy conversations with both mountain and tactical professionals.

 

9) Direct, Honest, Clear Answers

Since 2007 we’ve taken and answered dozens of questions weekly from mountain and tactical athletes. We’ve saved these individual Q&A’s and now thousands are archived on our site.

We’re not salesmen, and our answers are noted for their directness, honesty, and clarity. Our stuff isn’t for everyone. If we can help, we’ll let you know. If we can’t, we’ll let you know that, too.

– Rob Shaul, Founder

 


All of the Above is Backed Up By Our Promise: Our Stuff Works. Guaranteed.

Our Stuff Works. Guaranteed.

By Rob Shaul

I received notes frequently from athletes hesitant to purchase a subscription or training plans asking me to sell them on why they should make the purchase.

While I understand the question, I’m not a salesman – so I can’t put a hard sale on anyone for our programming.

I can tell them the process we go through to design our programming.

We begin with extensive research on the fitness demands of the event, identify the exercises and progressions which sport specifically meet those demands, chose end-of-cycle goals, and program backward to design the plan.

Then we test the cycle on ourselves and our lab rats here in Wyoming. We document, note what works and doesn’t work, re-assess, and make changes and modifications.

Then we publish the programming in the form of one of our plans or as part of our subscription daily training sessions for tactical and mountain athletes.
We don’t stop there – our daily programming is the “tip of the spear” for our programming evolution. We use these sessions to learn and make continuous improvement.

As we learn more and improve, we go back, and update the sport-specific training plans on the website. For example, we’re currently on Version 5 of our Ruck Based Selection Training Plan and Version 3 of our Dryland Ski Training Plan and Version 4 of our Big Game Back Country Hunting Training Plan.

We understand our programing isn’t cheap, but we believe it’s a great value. The $79 for the Ruck Based Selection Training Plan, and $39 for the Dryland Ski Training Plan reflect the, research, work, innovative theory, iteration, testing and feedback we’ve put in and received to make these plans effective.

All that matters for us is outside performance, and we feel strongly that Our Stuff Works in the real world.

Here’s our guarantee:

1) Individual Training Plan Purchase:
If you purchase an individual training plan, follow it as prescribed before your season/event/pft/selection, and if you don’t feel you were physically ready for your season/event/pft/selection, and/or didn’t see dramatic improvements in your early season performance, we’ll refund your money, no questions asked.

2) Athlete’s Subscription
If you purchase an Athletes’ Subscription, follow the training sessions as prescribed, and are not satisfied with the quality of the programming, notify us within 30 days of purchase, and we’ll refund your money, no questions asked.

Questions?
Email: rob@mtntactical.com

COMMON QUESTIONS:

Do you have any reviews or testimonials from athletes who have used your Athlete’s Subscription
Yes. Click HERE.

Is it true you guarantee your stuff works?
Yes. If you purchase an Athletes’ Subscription, follow the training sessions as prescribed, and are not satisfied with the quality of the programming, notify us within 30 days of purchase, and we’ll refund your money, no questions asked.

How is MTI programming different than CrossFit?
This is a common question. Read our answer HERE.

You have a lot of competitors. Why should I choose MTI?
MTI is driven to improve mountain and tactical athletes’ mission performance and keep them safe. This emphasis and focus on mission performance sets us apart. Read about more that sets us apart HERE.

If I purchase a plan or subscription, how do I access the programming?
All of our plans are online, accessible via username and password.
You can log in through our →Website  or Mobile App →IOS and Android.

Do you have downloadable .pdf’s of the training plans?
No. But you can print the programming, by week, from your browser. You access individual training plans online via a username and password.

Do you have a mobile app?
Yes, we do. Available for IOS and Android.

What is the difference between purchasing an individual training plan, packet of plans or an Athlete’s Subscription?

  • Plan – Like purchasing the DVD of the first Star Wars movie. You own it forever, including any updates we make to the plan.
  • Packet – Like purchasing the DVD’s of all the Star Wars movies. You own them forever, including any updates we make to the plans.
  • Athlete’s Subscription – Like subscribing to Netflix. You get access to all 200+ plan in our library, but lose access if you unsubscribe.

If I purchase an Athletes Subscription Can I cancel on my own, anytime?
Yes.

Do I have to contact MTI to cancel or can I do it myself?
You can do it yourself. Instructions HERE.

If I purchase a subscription and have questions about where to start or what plans(s) to use for my goals, will you help?
Yes. We answer dozens of training questions from athletes weekly. Email coach@mtntactical.com.

If you add new plans or update existing plans after I subscribe will I have access to them?
Yes. We are continuously adding training plans and packets (2-5/month) and updating plans. With your subscription you’ll have access to all new plans, new courses and plan updates.

What Equipment is Required?
Click the “Required Equipment” tab to find out what equipment is required for the specific plan you are interested in.

Where do I find unfamiliar exercises?
See our Exercise Library HERE. The Run and Ruck Calculators are listed as exercises.

What about nutrition?
See our Nutritional Guidelines HERE.

Can I see sample training?
Click the “Sample Training” tab to see the entire first week of programming.
You are encouraged to do it before purchasing.

What if I have more questions?
Email rob@mtntactical.com

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