Description
Our Chassis Integrity programming theory evolved in Summer 2015 after a personal experience. I had moved away from the tactical programming to some distance running and bodyweight work. The bodyweight training included plenty of core work – sit-up variations, bridging, lower back complexes, EO’s, and some ground and equipment based work such as Russian Triangles, Ankles to Bar, GHD Sit-ups, etc. Further, my core circuits pushed beyond what I commonly programmed for athletes in both rounds and duration. I really hammered it – or so I thought. After a couple of months, I got back underneath the barbell for some front squats and struggled to go heavy. My legs were strong, in isolation, and my core was strong, in isolation, but the link and coordination between the two weren’t there – I lacked “chassis integrity.” This had a real impact on me – as I’d hammered my midsection, but all that work hadn’t translated into the functional task of lifting heavy while standing. It caused me to question my core programming theory to that point and I began to develop the Chassis Integrity model. Before Chassis Integrity My prior core training theory had alternated between two circuits – FIRE, and LBC. “FIRE” is an acronym for “Flexion / Isometric / Rotational / Extension”. A FIRE Circuit has one exercise from each, for example: 4 Rounds
- 10x Weighted Sit up @ 25# (Flexion)
- 30/30 Side Bridge (Isometric)
- 10x EO’s (Rotation)
- 10x GHD Back Extension (Extension)
“LBC” is an acronym for “Low Back Complex” and we learned this approach from the book “Foundation Training,” by Eric Goodman and Peter Park. The authors note that few miss a day of work because of ab pain, and correspondingly wondered why so much core training focused on the front of the body, and not the low back. They aimed to change this, and our typical Low Back Complex circuit comes from their exercise menu. Below is an example. I’ve since expanded the scope of our Low Back Complex to mean a circuit of four extension exercises. 4 Rounds
- 20/20 Standing Founder
- 20/20 Low Back Lunge
- 20/20 Kneeling Founder
- 10x Face Down Back Extensions
Chassis Integrity Theory
My experience last summer caused me to question three things about this core training approach.
- Why were we doing so many ground or equipment based core exercises when in reality most core work is done standing? I reasoned that not performing core exercises from a standing or kneeling position had compromised my chassis integrity.
- I questioned the need for isometric and flexion core exercises in general. Real-life core for the athletes we serve (mountain/tactical) is seems dominated by extension and rotational movement patterns. Real-life also includes isometric work, but not in the way we had been training it. More specifically, rather than isometric work, what really occurs is anti-rotation. Mountain and Tactical athletes must fight force trying to torque them rotationally.
- Previously I had programmed core circuits using the standard round and reps format used as examples above. This approach seems to train strength, but not necessarily strength endurance. Perhaps grinds for time would be more transferable outside the gym, I reasoned.
What evolved is a new approach to core training – Chassis Integrity. First, I moved away from most ground-based core exercises to prescribing exercises performed either standing or kneeling. To achieve Chassis Integrity I needed to train the system holistically. Second, I began to replace the FIRE circuits in favor of Chassis Integrity circuits and move from rounds and reps to time. This Plan deploys 5 types of Chassis Integrity Circuits – most with 3x exercises. Each circuit deploys a combination of these movements:
- Anti Rotation
- Rotation
- Total
- Extension (low back)
The first 10 circuits in the plan are 10-15 minute long grinds and use relatively light loading. Beginning with Circuit 11, the duration jumps to 15-20 minutes, and loading increases.
COMMON QUESTIONS
How Should I Use These Circuits in My Training? These Chassis Integrity circuits are 10-20 minutes long and are designed to either supplement existing training by serving as focused mid-section “finishers” to other training sessions or replace current core training in existing training. The circuits can also be completed as stand-alone training for endurance and other athletes.
Required Equipment? These circuits are designed to be completed in any commercial or functional fitness gym. Exercise substitutes are included for gyms that don’t have sandbags or kettlebells.
How Fast should I work Through the Circuits? The circuits are to be completed as 10-20 minute “grinds.” “Grind” equals work briskly, but not frantically. These are not “As many rounds as possible” efforts. Again, work briskly, not frantically.
What does “45/65#” or “12/16kg” mean? This is the prescribed loading for women/men – so in the first example, women use 45# and men use 65#. In the second example, women use a 12kg kettlebell and men use a 16kg kettlebell.
Why is Chassis Integrity Is More Appropriate for Mountain and Tactical Athletes? Foremost is its transferability outside the gym to the real world. The Chassis Integrity movements and exercises closely mirror the mid-section strength and strength endurance demands faced by mountain and tactical athletes. Most likely, these athletes will be lifting or moving something fairly heavy, bulky and awkward and deploying extension, rotation and isometric strength (total core) in one movement. As well, sometimes real-world midsection strength demands a single movement. But more often, mid-section strength is a strength endurance effort – think uphill hiking with a heavy pack for miles. Chassis Integrity, with it’s extended “grind” duration, trains not only the absolute midsection strength for single events, but also the strength endurance needed for extended work.
Have you and your athletes noticed a difference? Absolutely – anecdotally, myself, I’ve seen a significant improvement in real-world midsection strength for activities like hauling out game from a backcountry hunt or getting firewood. Several of my athletes, both mountain and tactical, have reported similar improvement and experience. It’s like we’ve built an integrated band of muscle and functionality around our midsection.
Where do I find unfamiliar exercises?
See our Exercise Library HERE. The Run Calculator is listed as an exercise.
What about nutrition?
See our Nutritional Guidelines HERE.
Can I see sample training?
Click the “Sample Training” tab to see the entire first week of programming.
How do I access the plan?
You can access the plan via username and password either through our website or through our app (Mtn Tactical Fitness) available for IOS and Android.
Can I print out sessions to take to the gym?
Yes – you can print a week of programming at a time.
More Questions? Email coach@mtntactical.com
DISCLAIMER
Before beginning any exercise program, consult with your physician to ensure that you are in proper health. Physical training contains inherent risks including, but not limited to, muscle strains, tears, physical and bodily injury up to and including death. This training program is not meant to provide medical advice; you should obtain medical advice from your private health care practitioner. If you are unable to assume these risks then you should not engage in this training program. No liability is assumed by Mountain Tactical Institute, Inc, its owners or employees, and you train at your own risk. Mountain Tactical Institute makes no warranty, express or implied, of any kind in connection with this training program.