Q&A 9.22.22

by Mintra Mattison

QUESTION

Rob, I am booking a Colorado 14er trip for 4 weeks from today. Any suggestions on a rapid training plan? Hope things are going well.

ANSWER

Peak Bagger Training Plan. Start at the beginning and complete as much of it as you can. Take 2 days total rest before your trip.
– Rob

QUESTION

I am very excited about starting your classes. I know what I want but not sure where to start.
I live in Tahoe but have a desk job. I’m 50 years old and while I am an aggressive rider, I want to have the best snowboard season ever next year. I heard about your gym through a backcountry.com post on leg blasters. I used them (albeit the mini blasters) along with squats and felt great.
The dryland snowboard training class caught my eye https://fitness.mtntactical.com/plan.php?id=518 Reading through it appears that this is performs leading up to the event or season. I don’t know how to get from where I am now to the beginning of this class and was hoping you had some recommendations.
I’m currently doing.a simple weightlifting routine https://thefitness.wiki/routines/gzclp/, run 3 miles twice a week,  and also mountain bike one or twice a week.
Gym equipment:
I have a wall mount rack, , bench barbell, plates, dumbbells, kettlebell (adjustable), bands, rings.
I have no problem switching from deadlift to hinge lift. I noticed you recommend front squats over back squats.This is a harder ask as I don’t currently have sufficient mobility for front squats. What is your suggestion? Should I continue doing back while improving mobility on front? Should I dedicate mobility work for the front?
My numbers are not crazy high and it will take me a while to get to an acceptable level. What programming do you recommend I start?
On the equipment side, the only thing i’m missing is a sandbag. Should I buy the newer one? Is there a difference for a new person such as myself.

ANSWER

I’d recommend our SF50 programming, beginning with SF50 Alpha. 
No need to buy the newer sandbag – but you’ll need a sandbag.
– Rob

QUESTION

I’m the physical fitness advisor coordinator in my FBI field office and I administer all the PFTs.  I give the PFTs to onboard Special Agents and to Applicants wanting to be Special Agents.

I have been doing this for over 20 years now, but for about the last 5+ years I have been strongly recommending Applicants use your Special Agent PFT training program (or a few other programs like yours), because there has been such a drop off in the overall performance of Applicants and most of them just don’t have the foundation/ability to do it on their own.

Anyway, I have never actually used this program and only have a general idea on the program/schedule (from what Applicants have shared with me and also by making the assumption that it is probably similar to the USMC PFT program).  I have done other MTI programs, like your Pre-Afghan program and the USMC PFT program with my son was getting ready for OCS (and a few others along the way – I’m also the SWAT TL & a former Marine).

I remembered when I was getting ready to deploy you emailed me the basic Afghan program/outline and I was wondering if you had the basic outline/plan for the FBI PFT?  I wouldn’t be sharing/giving it to anyone else.  I would just like to review it in greater detail so that when I’m counseling Applicants on how they could do better and what program(s) they should consider getting/following, I’ll be able to describe to them in better detail/accuracy what the MTI program looks like/how it works/tracks them.

I’m assuming these plans are now available using the MTI App and you can input your times/scores that way?

If you can’t provide any more details, no worries, just thought I would check.  I think I have a decent idea on how it is laid out/works based on some of your other programs  and the FBI PFT plan description online.

ANSWER

– Rob

QUESTION

I took the Relative Strength Assessment a couple of weeks post SFAS and am lower than I’d like to be; currently at a 5. I was considering doing the Axe Daily Operator plan to increase my general strength. Is this the best plan in your opinion? I don’t have my next phase of the course until November so there is time.

Also, I’m working to get my 2-mile run time down for the PT test. Is it okay to train my running in addition to the strength sessions? Any suggestions here?

Thanks for all you do.

ANSWER

– Rob

QUESTION

I’m currently on week 4 of Military On-Ramp and prepping for Sapper School with a target course date 4May23. I’m using the Ranger Packet progression all the way to the last 8 weeks then subbing the Ranger Plan for The Sapper Plan at the end. With that timeline, I’m about a week behind the recommended 42 weeks.

My first question is it better to cut rest days down to catch up that week or cut a week from one of the other plans between Military On Ramp and Sapper?

Second question, is that a good plan to sub Ranger for Sapper in the last 8 weeks or do you recommend different progression then in the Ranger packet?

ANSWER

Answers:
1) Cut on week from Gratitude.
2) Plan is solid.
– Rob

QUESTION

Firstly, thanks for the mountain recommendations – we will see if I trained right next week! Step up workouts etc have been very useful.
I’m looking for a longer term plan after the mountain. Casey Ryback looks almost ideal as I do BJJ but am also planning on applying to Royal Marines in about a year so I need military fitness. My question is: Casey Ryback has rucking as the endurance element but as you probably know, Royal Marines selection weekend is mostly running fitness and calisthenics. Can I modify the plan to focus on running not rucking? This is also pertinent as I want to keep a good aerobic base as I will be doing winter stuff in scotland in January and some weeks in the Alps next summer.

ANSWER

The endurance day in Casey Rayback has a 40 minute ruck, followed by some arm work, then a 1.5 mile run.
Just run both times – replace the 40 min ruck with a 40 min run at a moderate pace.
– Rob

QUESTION

I found an article in mens Health “muscle after 40” magazine. I never have thought  of functional fitness, although at 68 this September, my life motto. “Die young at a very old age”. I read, stretch, learn, and really push to the limit for my age. I now find it necessary and vital to keep fit as I age. Is the mountain tactical institute a place where a guy at my age can use to help my strength ..?  I don’t specifically engage in any more sports. Although would like to get back into sport scuba diving, and some lite traditional martial arts.  If you can give me some direction, that would be appreciated.  Thank you

ANSWER

Closest I have is our programming for athletes ages 60-65.
I’d recommend the plans/order in the SF60 Packet – beginning with SF60 Alpha.
– Rob

QUESTION

Long time user of MTI programs. I have really enjoyed using the Busy Operator Plan in the past – particularly because of the 30-45 min timeframe. They fit with my other commitments (work and family)

Are there any KB focused plans in this timeframe (as opposed to 60-75 mins)? Or could I look to alter the single KB training plan to finish in 30-45 mins.

I appreciate all you do

ANSWER

The Busy Dad, Limited Equipment plans are designed with this short time frame, but you’ll need a sandbag, and perhaps another couple pieces of equipment.
You can do the Single KB plan, and just cut rounds as needed.
– Rob

QUESTION

I have done several mti programs and took a short break to only strength train. That was great but lost a lot of short and long endurance. I am a civilian and own a construction company. As my first program back do you recommend Big 24 or Big 3 + 2 mile to continue my strength goals but get back into adding some endurance so I am not winded walking up the stairs and at work and such? Thanks in advance. Love the programming.

ANSWER

– Rob

QUESTION

Love your programming and just purchased the backpacker preseason program. Quick question, is there a benefit to using a backpack over dumbbells for the step ups?

ANSWER

Yes – if you’re training for backpacking. It’s more sport specific.
– Rob

QUESTION

Do you guys have any programs suited for pregnant service members?

ANSWER

Our Prenatal Training Packet and individual training plans were designed specifically for tactical athletes.
– Rob

QUESTION

hello i have been in the website but i think there is a bug cause when i click on law enforcement it’s send me to like another page that it doesn’t have anything to do with the law enforcement workouts if you can send it to me here it would be awesome thank you so much

ANSWER

Start with the LE OnRamp Training Plan, then follow it up with the plans/order in the Spirits Packet.
These plans are designed as mission-direct, day to day fitness for full time LE Detectives and Patrol. They concurrently train strength, work capacity (sprint emphasis), chassis integrity (functional core), upper body hypertrophy (mass), short endurance and tactical agility.
– Rob

 

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