Q&A 10.26.21

QUESTION

I am working on joining the US Coast Guard. I will not go to basic for several months hopefully in february but I am wanting to go and try out for the MSRT teams and was wondering what program would be best to use in order to prepare for that type of selection. Thank you for your time. Have a good day.

ANSWER

I’d recommend the Greek Hero Packet, which will introduce you to military-focused fitness. You have some time before you can try our for MSRT, but this will build a solid foundation for what you have ahead. Good luck!

– Charlie

QUESTION

Are there any testimonials specifically regarding the Hotshot Crew/Smokejumper Preseason Training Program? I’d be interested to hear what other crew guys have to say about the program.

ANSWER

We’ve had many Hotshots and Smokejumpers train with us in the gym in Jackson doing this programming, with great results. Here’s one…. CLICK HERE

– Charlie

QUESTION

I have a quick question. Are there any alternatives you recommend for the sandbag getup, sandbag all-fours drag, or sandbag toss-and-chase? I do not have access to a sandbag but do have access to DBs, BBs, and most everything else in a standard gym. I assume the drag can be done w DB on a towel, for example. But for the other two exercises, I’m at a loss.

ANSWER

No real substitute for a sandbag… nothing seems to come close to the irregular load for those kinds of exercises. An easy fix is an old military-style duffel bag/seabag and 60# of tube sand from your local hardware store, or you can pick up one of ours.

– Charlie

QUESTION

Will MTI be generating any new and or updated versions for land based snow ski training this fall?

I do not have the opportunity to ski much due to where I reside (Gulf Coast of Mississippi); however, I generally get to Jackson and or somewhere in Utah and or Colorado twice a year. Do you recommend conducting the current land base training and or the back country ski program?

I really enjoy your training methodologies and would like to visualize a goal and to work toward that. Thanks.

ANSWER

I’m not sure if we’ll be doing an update on the dryland ski prep plans this year. If we do, we’ll certainly announce it via the MTI Newsletter.

If you’re going to be primarily skiing inbounds/lift-assisted, the Dryland Ski Training Program is perfect. If you’re going to skinning up, the Backcountry Ski Preseason Plan is what you’ll want. You would want to start those programs so that they lead up directly to your ski trip date.

– Charlie

QUESTION

I am a civilian with an office job and a new son. I am a former swimmer and have lifted weights off and on for many years. However, I find myself with the wrong balance of lean muscle and fat. I am not extremely heavy at 192 at a height of 6’1″ but I don’t have great relative strength (just recently did my first pull-up, max around 3 right now). I am a naturally lean guy so I have plenty of weight to lose. I am looking to increase strength and lose fat to be a more capable human and go on adventures with my new son. I want to be ready for all that life throws at me, be able to take him up mountains and live a long and fruitful life. I am looking to understand whether you think MTI will be good for me and what programs to start and continue with. I train in my garage and have a range of kettlebells (singles only, no doubles currently), sandbags, a ruck, pull-up bar and TRX. I’d like to start with what I have but am willing to add as I progress through programming.

Thank you for all you do and for your help.

ANSWER

Congrats on your new son! We have many folks similar to you working through our programming. I’d recommend starting with the Fat Loss Training Program to knock off the unwanted pounds, followed by the Great Plains Tribes Training Packet, which is a great general fitness series of plans.

– Charlie

QUESTION

I’m a freshly minted Armor 2LT with a strong desire for an IBCT recon slot, so I am training with the main goal of passing RAP week in what will likely be Summer 2022. I have always been middle of the pack in terms of PT and would never describe myself as a natural athlete. I weigh 203 lbs and am 5’10”. I have been doing the MTI IBOLC plan all summer and unfortunately have seen little progress. I am barely meeting the minimum for most RAPFT scores, and am failing by a significant margin in pushups (I have to do them on my fists now that I injured my wrist snowboarding).

I will report into ABOLC in February, and I figured I would start the 8 week MTI Ranger School plan in the first week of December, counting on my unit to give me specific training guidelines when I begin BOLC.

My question is mostly regarding what I should be doing until December. I figure I could drop about 10 pounds of mostly body fat to increase my reps and speed. Historically the only ways I have been able to successfully cut weight is by completing a Fasting Mimicking Diet or by a long grind of clean eating, calorie counting, and daily max effort cardio. So I figure in October and November I ought to do an endurance and strength based plan (I have my eye on Fortitude or just another Ranger prep iteration) while counting calories and doing 1 week a month on FMD doing active recovery. I also figured I should replace some of the loaded running workouts with long distance cycling or swimming in order to reduce the risk of injury and increase the calorie burn.

I have been on a plateau for over a year and I know my career will take a major blow if I can’t shape up in time for Ranger school. I would really appreciate any advice you could give on programming as well as any general tips and tricks for reaching my goals.

ANSWER

You’re overthinking this a bit. Based on your timeline, you could start working on our Ranger School Training Packet right now and have it end just at your Ranger School check-in date. You’ll have to make some adjustments based on your wrist injury (get that healed up and ready to go) as well as BOLC mandated PT.

Start with the IBOLC Training Plan now in preparation for your course. I understand the PT demands may be slightly different at ABOLC, but it will certainly give you a head start on getting your RAPFT where it needs to be. After you’ve checked in there, start the Ranger School Packet. Navigate the waters of PT at the schoolhouse… that has priority and is the start of your professional reputation.

– Charlie

QUESTION

I have a question about your GORUCK selection plan. Is it possible to go through it without access to a fully equipped weight room? I have some kettlebells and dumbbells (as well as sandbags and ruck, etc) but no bars or squat rack.

ANSWER

Below is the equipment list you need for the GORUCK Selection Plan. Sounds like you have everything you need.

Fully equipped weight room
GPS-enabled Stop Watch with repeating countdown timer (Garmin Forerunner 10 is recommended ) A GPS enabled watch will make measuring run and ruck distances much easier.
60# Sandbag
ALICE Pack or same ruck you will use at selection, 40-60# of filler.

– Charlie

QUESTION

I just recently turned 50 years old. I have been an avid archery Elk hunter here in New Mexico since I was in my 20’s , hunting in mountains with elevations of about 9800 ft. I was also a construction worker so my job also always kept me very active. Three years ago I started hunting in Colorado for ELK, as well I have been working at a desk job for the past 7 years.

I have just recently returned from Colorado, no success and I have realized I feel I am unfit, overweight or deconditioned. I am looking at doing a full body/mind/weight-loss training program beginning ASAP and this only gives me 52 weeks before I return to Colorado and I hope will increase my overall physical ability to be a better hunter. I know age is against me, but I am willing to put 100% into this to make the best of what my physical abilities will allow.

My normal training prior to hunting season has been doing cardio on an elliptical 2-3 times a week and then I walk an average of 3-5 miles a day. 3-4 times a week with a 30-50lb ruck and I usually do this about 2-3 months prior to hunting season beginning. However because of non-active job and my age this is no longer working like it has in the past in preparing me before season. I also want to improve my overall health.

I plan on incorporating a Keto/Low Carb diet with my physical training.

I am 5’ 8” as I said 50 Years old and I weigh on average between 210-220. In the past 3 years the lowest my weight has been is 201 when I prepared for a week long wilderness elk backpack in the San Juan Mountains of Colorado.

I am looking at starting the Backcountry Big Game Hunting Packet (BBGHP) from your web site, but it stated that I need be in a “reasonable level of fitness” I feel like I am in ok shape, but I don’t want to fool myself and not be as prepared as I can for next year’s hunt.

I am reaching out to see what program or what I need to do to prepare myself before I begin the 29 week BBGHP.

Thank you for your time and I look forward to your response.

ANSWER

The Backcountry Big Game Hunting Packet is 29 weeks total, so you have time to get into better shape and drop some pounds before then. Here’s my recommendation in sequential order.

This will set you up nicely to initially get in better shape generally and introduce you to our style of programming, then hammer down on Backcountry Hunting demands specifically. Best of luck and feel free to reach out with questions.

– Charlie

QUESTION

Hey guys, been training For the FBI SA PFT for about two months now . Tried mixing the 1.5 mile improvement and my push pull legs workout but I’m burnt out every day .

Any chance you can recommend a program to improve general fitness as a start before I jump into one of the more serious programs ? Thinking about getting away from the heavy barbell for a while and wanna get more functional for the SA PFT. Still have no idea on a date yet for that .

Thanks for taking care of the first responders, not many like y’all out there anymore!

ANSWER

Big 3 + 2-Mile Run Training Plan

– Rob

QUESTION

Trying to choose a mtntactical plan(s) to restart my strength training. Years ago (like 6) I put a lot of effort into training for my active outdoor lifestyle (mtn bike, ski, kiteboard). Probably the best fitness I had was after completing the big 24 strength program. Since that I have not been strength training and focused only on the play (3-4 days a week of the above activities).

My goals are:

Gain weight (I’m 6’2″, 170lbs, 41yr old male)
Gain strength
Improve overall fitness
Strengthen back chain to prevent back problems
Be a stronger outdoor athlete for enduro-style mtn biking, big wave kiting, and backcountry touring.

The plans I am considering are:

big 24
1 lift per day
357 strength

Wondering what mtntactical would recommend.

ANSWER

Big 3 Strength + 2-Mile Run Training Plan to add in some endurance work for our outside stuff.

– Rob

QUESTION

I’m roughly 6 months out for SFAS, shooting for Mar/Apr time frame. What do you recommend when I don’t have a full year to prepare? Currently in the Army, decent shape. Interested in the ruck plan for sure, but I’d also like to strength train.

Stats

218 lbs

6’2” ish

30 yrs

Ruck and run now.

Comfortable run pace about low to mid 7s.

Strength moderate nothing real impressive

Bench working weight 200

Squat 225

Can go up.

ANSWER

6 months = 26 weeks, here’s what I recommend:

Weeks. Plan

1-7 Fortitude

8-14 Valor

15-17. Resilience (first 3 weeks)

18 Total Rest

19-26. Ruck-Based Selection Training Plan – the 8 weeks directly before selection.

– Rob

QUESTION

I’m planning to enlist next year (as soon as I can max the fitness test) on a 68W contract with either an option 40 or option 4 and volunteer for RASP when the opportunity presents itself. So I have a much time as I need to get ready.

My current fitness level is low comparatively speaking–I work on the road doing a seasonal job and don’t have much time to maintain cardio but I do push ups, pull ups throughout the day and core workouts in the evenings and sometimes farmers walks if I can find something heavy to carry around. I don’t know what my current apft score is but I’m guessing it would be low. I will be fully focused on enlisting and improving my fitness as soon as the season ends in November. I don’t have a time frame for when I’ll ship, but I’m 27 and not trying to waste anymore time.

Since I don’t have a time limit, should I start with your apft training plan or can I do a modified version of the RASP plan?

ANSWER

I’d recommend starting with the Military OnRamp Training Plan, then following it up with the APFT Training Plan.

– Rob

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