QUESTION
Good afternoon, first let me say I am a large supporter of yours. My brother, sister, and I are all past customers. In my latest venture, i have set out with the goal of improving my bench and front squat to 1.5x my body weight, my deadlift to 2.5x my bodyweight, my OHP to my bodyweight, while still being able to run a 290-300 on the APFT for the male 17-21 age group and still have good rucking ability. I was wondering which one of your programs you would recommend for aiding me in reaching my goals, or if there would be two that i could use in conjunction with each other, and if not if you would be willing to put together some custom programming for me and i would be willing to pay whatever cost you deem necessary. Looking forward to hearing back from you, thank you for your time.
ANSWER
I don’t have a custom plan for you. In general – your APFT score might be the easiest to get to your goals given unless you suffer on the run. If you’re not close already, the strength goals will likely be the most difficult.
I’d recommend you start with Big 24 for strength.
Follow it with Valor for running/rucking speed, bodyweight work and work capacity.
Big 24: http://mtntactical.com/shop/big-24-strength-training-program-v3/
Valor: http://mtntactical.com/shop/valor/
– Rob
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QUESTION
I am stationed in Northern Italy and have become interest in the Mountain trail running they have to offer here and the surrounding countries. I have not run much over 5 miles at a shot for most of my life, so I am going to start with the 1/2 marathon or a little more to get my feet wet. I want to stay strong and get stronger but I also need to increase my weekly mileage to be ready for the trail. I know awhile back you were working on the SF45 program for us older gentlemen (I’m 46) but I can not seem to find any info about it on the web site. Is SF45 what you would suggest or do you have other programs that will help me stay or increase my strength and allow me to increase my mileage without breaking me down. Thank you for your time. I look forward to your comments.
ANSWER
No more SF 45 programming.
I’d recommend you begin our stuff with the Bodyweight Foundation Training Plan: http://mtntactical.com/shop/bodyweight-foundation-training-plan/
Don’t be fooled by “bodyweight” – this plan is no joke, and a great way to jumpstart your strength and endurance. It includes a 2 mile assessment, intervals based on those assessments, and 2x longer weekly runs.
– Rob
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QUESTION
I’m in the USAF and i’m in the process of retraining into EOD. I used to be in pretty decent shape (right around a 9:30 1.5mile), but I had two ankle surgeries last year and kinda got out of shape. I’m looking for a program that will help me get back to where i want to be, but also prepare me for EOD school. I have a decent amount of experience with these types of programs. I ran through the Horseman program once before, but i want something thats going to be a little different. I thin right now i’m looking at the TACP plan, the Endurance plan, the PAST plan, Fortitude, and the APFT plan. I’m just not sure which one would be most beneficial. Hopefully this is enough information for you to give me some advice. If not please don’t hesitate to ask away. I appreciate you taking the time to read this. Take care.
ANSWER
Start with Fortitude: http://mtntactical.com/shop/fortitude/
– Rob
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QUESTION
I’m a bit curious what sort of training regimen I should look into. I got out of the Army last July and let myself fall into a slump. I’m slightly disgusted with how out of shape I’ve generally gotten. I realize it’s not necessary, but I’d like to be back to an Operator Ugly level like I used to be. I’ve retained a bit of relative strength, but again, it’s not what it used to be and god knows my cardio is deplorable. Thanks for your time.
ANSWER
Start back with Bodyweight Foundation: http://mtntactical.com/shop/bodyweight-foundation-training-plan/
Don’t be fooled by “bodyweight.” This plan is no joke.
– Rob
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QUESTION
I’ve recently come back to your programming, after some time exploring some other workout routines, most recently the APRE training regiment. Anyway, I’ve always enjoyed the plans you put together and I’m wrapping up the rat6 training plan right now. My question, where should I go next? I like the strength emphasis with grinding work capacity sessions as well. What are your recommendations? For background, I’m a Navy SWCC and consider myself an intermediate to advanced lifter (I’m familiar with the proper form for all lifts) Thanks for any insight you can provide.
ANSWER
Fortitude or Resilience from our Valor Series.
– Rob
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QUESTION
I’m trying to decide what program is best for me. A little about myself: I’m 24, 5′ 11″ 185lbs. I workout 6 days a week. My APFT score is 120 PU, 90 SU, 13:20 2 mile. 12 mile ruck with 45 lbs is 2hr 40 min. I weight train a lot, and run once a week. My workouts are never the same. Example; One day I’ll do 5×5 at 315 for squat. Another will be 10×10 at 225 or 4×25 at 135. About a 60 second break between each set. All other body parts are worked following that template. Never focusing on just reps or strength. I can train basically any day of the week, for any amount of time.
I will be attending Sapper school in Feb 2017 and Ranger school in Sept ’17. My legs (get very tight, very quick) and lower back are areas where I still need improvement when rucking and especially running. I’ve been looking over a lot of the plans yall offer, and wanted your opinion of which best fits my needs. I love intense weight training (HIT) but want to make sure I’m doing what will help me pass, not just look pretty. Valor looks like a good one, but am going to take your suggestion above anything.
Thank you for your time!
ANSWER
I’d recommend starting with the Virtue Series Plans – Valor is a good choice, followed by Resilience.
– Rob
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QUESTION
I had a buddy who’s an infantry reclassified turn me on to your programs about a month ago. I’m a former bodybuilder and the Achilles sessions are kicking my ass!
The reason I’m emailing you is because I was selected for Army WOCS and I’ll be attending starting in October. Should I continue on using just the operator sessions in prep for the course? My only concern is there isn’t much rucking mixed in and only one long run day. What program do you suggest I work on moving forward to my school date?
ANSWER
You’ll want to switch out to one of our plans which include specific APFT prep as well as rucking/running, etc.
Two plans to consider: Army OCS Training Plan: http://mtntactical.com/shop/army-ocs-training-plan/, and the Army Airborne Training Plan: http://mtntactical.com/shop/airborne-school-training-plan/
You’ll want to switch to one of these the 6 weeks directly before WOCS.
– Rob
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QUESTION
First of all thank you for all you guys do for fitness, as a service member I find the programming invaluable.
On the note of being a service member though I have run into a problem. I have injured my hip and long story short I am trying to stay away from most lower body exercises for the time being. Are there any programs you offer that are catered towards upper body due to a leg injury let’s say? Or perhaps is there a work out program I could reasonably pick out the upper body portions from while I am somewhat sidelined?
I know you guys are not doctors and I am not putting any kind of medical judgement on you, but I have been in the service long enough to know that I might be in for back and forth consultations for months so I am just trying to find away to exercise in some way. Any and all advice would be great.
ANSWER
If you can use you’re one good leg/side, I’d recommend the “Training Program for Guys Suffering Leg Injury” – this plan works the rest of your body around the injury.
If you can’t do this, you may want to get the “Ultimate Meathead Training Plan” – and just do the upper body portions.
Links:
Leg Injury: http://mtntactical.com/shop/training-program-for-athlete-suffering-from-leg/
Meathead: http://mtntactical.com/shop/ultimate-meathead-cycle/
– Rob
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QUESTION
I’m considering purchasing the strength packet, but I really can’t find any information on the sub programs.
I’m mainly interested in the time commitment, required equipment, and types of exercises involved.
I’ve heard great things about your programs and would really like to get started.
ANSWER
There are 3 plans in the packet: Rat 6, Ultimate Meathead Cycle, and 357 Strength.
Here are the links to the individual plans – which include descriptions and required equipment:
Rat 6: http://mtntactical.com/shop/rat-6-strength/
Ultimate Meathead: http://mtntactical.com/shop/ultimate-meathead-cycle/
357 Strength: http://mtntactical.com/shop/357-strength/
In general – Rat 6 is a classic, percentage-based training plan based on 1RMs.
Ultimate Meathead trains lower body strength, and upper body hypertrophy (mass).
357 Strength couples heavy strength work with complementary short, work capacity events.
– Rob