Q&A 2.15.24

QUESTION

I was curious what type of shoes you use for the training? Thanks!

ANSWER

I don’t have any specific recommendations for footwear. Flat shoes (like Van’s) are great for general gym-based sessions. Weightlifting shoes with an elevated heel are great for lift-only sessions, but terrible for everything else. For running, that’s going to be highly dependent on what you’re comfortable with. I like Altra’s trail running shoes personally.

QUESTION

Just starting the heli ski training plan – have a week in Haines in Early April and have one question:

Probably will not be able to meet the resort skiing 2x per week goal. Any suggestions for substitutes? Have peloton, treadmill and rower at home. Will have 10 days of solid resort time in March but live in Fairbanks, AK and hills are closed often due to cold temps.

Side note, just circling back to your material after a long absence. I used your military athlete workouts quite a bit while deployed in the middle east back in 2008/09 and thoroughly enjoyed them.

ANSWER

Glad to hear it worked for you while in in the military, and glad to have you back.

Saturday includes an option for skiing or a moderate-paced run (distance depends on the week of training). So if you’re not getting the skiing in, do the run.

For Sunday’s, if you’re not skiing, total rest.

QUESTION

I am looking into the programs you offer at MTI. However, I am not entirely sure which would be best suited for me.

I have a long history of CrossFit & long distance running training and I will be commencing Royal Marine Reserves training in March and would like a program geared towards this. Essential an all round program for physical resilience and robustness.

Starting in March 2024 and finishing in June 2025 there will be about 25 training weekends, two 2-week courses and weekly evening training. Works out about 2 weekends a month.

I was considering the daily operator training to start and then moving over to a more specific program later into the pipeline.

Which program would you recommend?

ANSWER

Your plan is solid. Operator Sessions is a good place to start with that schedule. If those two-week courses will be ‘grinders’ or have specific fitness tests that need to be trained for, let me know the details and I can give you a recommendation to prepare.

Good luck!

QUESTION

My son wants to join the army next year, his goal is to become a Ranger.

Now he’s following the Military on the Ramp program. Could you tell me please which programs he must pick from the list next ?

ANSWER

I’d recommend the following plans in order for your son. This will take you through to 2025. Once he’s closer to a enlistment date, please reach back out and we can develop a plan based on a more definitive timeline.

Humility – Bodyweight Strength, loaded work capacity, IBA runs and long, unloaded runs
Big 24 – Barbell based, total strength
Fortitude – Gym based strength, distance running and rucking
Valor – Gym based work capacity, short, intense running and rucking intervals
Resilience – Gym-based Strength, Chassis Integrity, Heavy Rucking and distance running

QUESTION

I recently came across Mountain Tactical Institute website and the wildland firefighter training programs and wanted to find out more. I’ve been working on prescribed burns for about a year and will be on-call for wildland fires this year. I admit, I’ve been slacking on training this winter. I’m getting back in the rhythm over the past couple weeks, mostly doing trail runs 1-3 miles and some body weight exercises. Definitely not doing as much as I need to considering the demands of fire. I’m looking for something more specific that will help me get to where I need to be.

I’ve looked at the wildland firefighter pre-season training plan and the daily wildland training subscription, but can’t figure out what’s best or where to start. Are you able to give me some guidance and explain a little more about training plans vs subscriptions?

ANSWER

I’d recommend going with the Wildland Fire Daily Programming. The programming for both is specific to wildland needs and we’ll include pre-season-specific training as Spring comes around. Some people simply like to purchase a plan versus the cheaper subscription option, but the programming has the same purpose/objectives.

QUESTION

62 yo male, participate in climbing (ice/rock), mountain biking, ww kayaking, upland bird hunt 50 days/year. Scheduled for partial knee replacements in April and July. What do you think about the following training plan (flexible depending on surgery recovery)? Home gym has dumbbells, Kettlebells, pull up/dip, trx, step up box, airdyne, treadmill.

ANSWER

Sounds like a great plan. Plan on being flexible with your knee replacements. Be smart, listen to your PT. Otherwise, no adjustments on your plan from my side.

QUESTION

I am looking to complete 13km (8 mile) rucks comfortably.

I have always had difficulty completing rucks as I feel my gate is poor and my lower back bears most of the load when I get tired. Which program will be the best for me as I need to work towards achieving my goal by July 2024.

ANSWER

The Ruck Improvement Plan is your best option for a focused approach. A few tips as well…

– Make sure the loading of your pack is distributed. If you’re using a sandbag, it should be secured within your pack and tightly cinched to the front of the pack (the part closest to your pack). If using items clothes and equipment, ensure the heavier items are loaded on the top within the pack.

– If possible, use a pack with a external frame

– Make sure your waist bands. They should be slightly above your hips, wrapping around at your belly button.

QUESTION

I am interested in improving my ruck as I will be doing infantry military training over the summer.

I am a 5’5 candidate with incredibly short legs. Usually, I feel my lower back bearing a lot of the weight after long distances. This makes me slow down and fall behind on the pace we are rucking at.

Will this program help me and shore up my physiological disadvantage or should I find other ways to address this? Strength for me I feel isn’t an issue, but rucking truly is an equalizer for me as I perform really bad at it.

Please let me know as I am interested in your programs.

ANSWER

I’m not sure which program you’re referencing, but the best match would be the Ruck Improvement Training Plan. Your rucking speed is dictated to your aerobic capacity, your stride length, and your foot speed. At 5’5 you’re going to have to work a little bit harder than most, as the stride length will be less than a taller person.

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