QUESTION
I will be attending the SF Senior Mountaineer Course in May-June and was wondering which of your plans you think will be the best fit to get prepped.
Not sure if you have any SA on the course but overall it is not anywhere near as intensive as SFAS or anything like that. From what I can gather, most climbs do not exceed a 5.9 and it seems that you are mostly moving around some of the 14-ers in Colorado and Wyoming so I assume strong legs and lungs are a priority.
I am not sure if that is a good enough of a target-talk-on to assist in a recommendation but please let me know if you need more info or towards which of your plans I should lean.
Look forward to your reply, thanks and talk to you soon!
ANSWER
Sounds like an awesome course!
My recommendation depends upon your pack load and trip duration.
Day trips/light pack? Go with the Peak Bagger Training Plan: http://mtntactical.com/shop/peak-bagger-training-plan/
Multi-day trips, heavy pack? Go with the Backcountry Big Game Training Plan: http://mtntactical.com/shop/big-game-hunting-training-program/
Good luck!
– Rob
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QUESTION
I am currently in the SF Q-course and have been looking for a training plan that will get me back into shape. I have about 1 year left in the pipeline and have been wanting to go to the CDQC afterwards. As of right now my APFT has been lacking due to limited time to hit the gym. In the next few phases I should be able to go to the gym more regularly.
A few of the things that I am looking for in a plan would be:
– APFT improvement ( Pullups, push-ups, core, sit-ups, etc.)
– Running ( 2 mi. and 5 mi., even further if able…am interested in doing more marathons and longer distance runs)
– Rucking
– 4-5 days/ week schedule
– Swimming
– Weight room/ olympic lifting movements
– Recovery/ Mobility
I know that having all of this tailored into one plan would be improbable but if there is a plan that could encompass most of these criteria that I have outlined that would be most helpful. Thanks for the help once again!!!!
ANSWER
I’d recommend you start our stuff with Valor (http://mtntactical.com/shop/valor/).
This plan includes bodyweight work, gym based strength and work capacity, and interval driven running and rucking.
It doesn’t include swimming – but you could add in a long recovery swim on your own on the weekends.
– Rob
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QUESTION
I caught your interview on the Hunt Backcountry podcast. Great info! I am interested in your 7 month backcountry training package as a way to prepare for an Idaho backpack elk hunt in 2017 and have just one question for now. The required equipment list recommends a functional fitness weight room, could you elaborate please? I live in (very) rural Missouri and don’t have local access to a quality gym. I have outfitted a gym in my house that includes all free weights (plates, dumbbells, bench, squat rack cage, pull down rack, etc). How sophistcated does the gym equipment need to be? Thanks in advance.
ANSWER
You’re good. About the only thing you’ll need is a couple sandbags.
– Rob
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QUESTION
A few questions about the 2016 rock climb cycle
1) Do any of your athletes do any climbing outside of the training? I’d like to know if you specifically restrict them from doing any other climbing, so as to quantify their progress under your programming, or if you allow them to do some but try to control/limit the amount. If you’re not controlling it, do you know how much they’re doing?
2) If you were going to add more cardio work, (maybe you were going to modify the programming along the lines of the 2014 alpine rock climb training), or more leg-work like step-ups and/or quadzillas, where would you add it?
As always, keep up the great work!
ANSWER
1) Yes. I can’t control it …. I’ve tried before but it simply doesn’t work – all are jonesing for desert trips and many travel to Lander on the weekends for a day or two of cragging. Understand all that matters is outside performance. Many will come into the gym on Monday and report back on their climbing – that it’s improved. Some will be fatigued on Monday, but all are progressing in the gym regardless of outside programming.
2) 2 a days (run/hike/step ups in the evening, climb training in the morning) – and you can add in cardio on the weekends. You could also do extra cardio after the climbing session … it just extends your training time in one block to 2-2.5 hours depending upon the duration of your run/hike.
– Rob
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QUESTION
I’m currently in the AF planning on crosstraining to a battlefield airmen careerfield(TACP/EOD) in about a year. The main thing I’m trying to focus on now is improving my run time/endurance, getting stronger and leaner. Would the Virtue training packet be a good match for what I’m trying to do along with my time or would you recommend a different plan?
ANSWER
Yes – the Virtue Series is a great place to start.
– Rob
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QUESTION
With the Warbonnet, Pingora, and Watchtower training plans, you mention dedicating six weeks to training without worrying about performance. What type of performance are you talking about? Do you recommend doing any type of skill acquisition work with the plan? Do any of the plans focus on skill work at all?
ANSWER
By “performance” we mean keep grinding through the training sessions and trust the progressions. These plans are climbing fitness based – – the improvement you’ll see will be on the climbing fitness side. For example, significant improvement on a campus board assessment.
The goal is to spend 6 weeks really focusing on your climbing-specific fitness, and then take that hard-earned fitness to the rock to push your outside-the-gym climbing.
Extra Skill Acquisition? Not sure exactly what you’re referring to here, but in general, I’m guessing you’re referring to technique improvement. These plans are intense, but if you wanted to add, I’d recommend a 30-minute V-Sum of 4 problems. I believe a timed V-Sum is the best, most focused way to push your technique. You need to watch for overtraining, however. These plans are very intense and recovery is important.
Another plan to consider is our Pre-Season Rock Climbing Training Plan (http://mtntactical.com/shop/pre-season-rock-climb-training-plan/). This plan deploys a 50 minute V-Sum every Monday. This might be the best place to begin our rock-climbing specific programming.
– Rob
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QUESTION
I had acl and meniscus surgery in mid November, and trying to make the best of my training while on recovery, is the leg injury training plan for me?
ANSWER
Understand this plan isn’t a rehab plan for your injured leg, but rather trains the rest of your body around the injury while you’re in PT: http://mtntactical.com/shop/training-program-for-athlete-suffering-from-leg/
– Rob
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QUESTION
Wanted to purchase one or two programs that you have on line. Wondering if you could help me out on picking witch one that would work-out best. Taking off the second week of July to climb in Europe for three weeks. (Matterhorn, Eiger and a couple more)
Big Mountain Climbing Training Program, AMGA Alpine Guide Course Training Plan, Expedition Mixed/Ice Climbing Training Program or something else? I’m not new to training, climbing or cross-fit…..
I belong to a nice 24×7 Golds with a salt water lap pool, a nice indoor climbing gym. I also have some really nice hiking/trails next to me that I usually put into my program.
· 8.0 mile roundtrip, gain 3150ft, highest point 3900
· 9.4 miles roundtrip, gain 4000ft, highest point 4822
· 8.6 roundtrip, gain 3800 highest point 5629
Thanks
ANSWER
I’d recommend you repeat the Alpinist Fitness Assessment Training Plan (http://mtntactical.com/shop/alpinist-fitness-assessment-training-plan/) beginning 11 weeks out from your trip. Complete the Plan, re-assess on Monday, rest the remainder of the week plus the next Monday, then start again.
This plan includes plenty of running, loaded step ups, core and upper body work.
You’ll do a weekly V-Sum for climbing fitness – which is about what you’ll need for this trip.
In addition, I’d add in a long Saturday Trail Run …. with plenty of vertical.
One change to the plan …. use your likely Europe pack weight for the step ups and progressions. As prescribed, the plan uses 40 pounds. I suspect this is heavy compared to what you’ll carry.
Good luck.
– Rob
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QUESTION
I’m interested in your Body weight training plans. I have been an athlete all of my life as I grew up playing baseball and tennis at fairly high levels. I have since moved on to skiing/mtn biking/golf as my main areas of focus. I’m currently employed as an avalanche forecaster for the Wyoming Department of Transportation. I ski tour 4-5 days a week for work and the occasional bigger tour in the park. I would like to increase my overall fitness, however I would like to start from the beginning and develop proper form as it has been a while since I have had a structured gym plan.
I’m also working towards skiing the Fuhrer Finger route on Mt. Rainier in May (in a day is the goal).
Please let me know what you think would be best for me.
ANSWER
A great place to start would be the Bodyweight Foundation Training Plan: http://mtntactical.com/shop/bodyweight-foundation-training-plan/
This plan begins with an assessment, and follow-on progressions are based on your incoming fitness. This way it automatically scales to your incoming fitness.
– Rob
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QUESTION
I’m applying for the UK All Arms Commando course and was wondering what program you think would help me out with my training?
The training expects you to be at peak fitness on joining the course finishing with the Commando tests.
Any help would be a great help!
Regards
ANSWER
I’d recommend the Ruck Based Selection Training Plan: http://mtntactical.com/shop/ruck-based-selection-training-program/
– Rob
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QUESTION
Active duty Army currently, a couple friends bought some of your training programs we did for APFT prep and pre-deployment a couple years back. Nearing the mark, it is time to walk away from the Army and plan to transition to LE. May have a chance to attend FELTC CITP before that happens, and that program is slightly different for the PT test. What would you recommend from your programming to prep for it? Looking at the Illinois agility run, 1.5 mile, Bench Press (sitting at 100% already @ 220) and Sit/Reach with the body fat check at the end. Army puts me at 19% but triple caliper I get around 14%, so that part doesn’t really concern me, benefit of being 6’5”. Thanks.
ANSWER
I’d recommend the SWAT Selection Training Plan: http://mtntactical.com/shop/swat-selection-training-plan/
It’s not perfect, and is likely overkill for your event, but includes a 1.5 mile run assessment and bench press work.
What it doesn’t include is the specific Illinois Agility assessment. You’ll need to work this into the plan – understand that practicing the drill will be huge to scoring well.
– Rob