Sapper Leaders Course Training Plan

$79.00

  • 8 Week, 6 day/week Training Plan, with multiple 2-a-days
  • Ruck and Run Intensive
  • Includes focused SPFT work, 12-mile Ruck Work, distance running and long Saturday “mini events”
  • Short (10-20 minute) mulit-modal work capacity events
  • Intense core, mobility, and stabilzer strength training for durability
  • This training plan is one of the 200+ Plans included with an Athlete’s Subscription.

Description

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The following is a sport-specific 8-week program is specifically designed to prepare athletes for the Sapper Leader Course. The plan includes a 1-week taper, and is designed to be completed the 8 weeks directly prior to your course start week.

This program gets progressively harder each week, until week 8, when the training tapers down into the start of selection. Don’t skip ahead!! The plan is designed to build upon itself. If you have to miss a training day, start up back where you left off.

This is a 6 day/week training program with many 2-a-Day training sessions.

To successfully complete this program you’ll need to make training for selection a priority during your work day.

This is Version 2 of the plan, updated January 2020.

Ruck & Run Intensive

This plan is “sport specific” to the specific fitness demands you’ll face the Sapper Leader Course – specifically rucking, running, calesthenic-based “smokers,” upper body strength endurance, etc. The plan includes:

  • Extensive rucking and running
  • Testing and progressive training for the SPFT (Sapper Physical Fitness Test)
  • Testing and progressive training for the 12 mile Ruck, and a 6 mile run
  • Short (10-20 minute) mulit-modal work capacity events
  • Intense core, mobility, and stabilzer strength training for durability
  • Long, intense, Saturday “mini events” lasting from 2 to 4.5 hours designed to prepare you physically and mentally for the long days you’ll face during the Sapper Leader Course

The plan includes 48 Total Training Sessions. It is intended that you’ll train Monday – Saturday, and take Sunday’s off. Sessions 1, 7, 13, 19, 25, 31, 37, and 43, are Mondays and the beginning of each training week.

Here is the general training Schedule:

  • Monday: AM – SPFT Work & PM – Ruck intervals (2-a-day)
  • Tuesday: Short Work Capacity, Core Strength, Durability
  • Wednesday: AM – Sandbag Get up Intervals & PM – Running Intervals
  • Thursday: AM – SPFT Work & PM – Ruck intervals (2-a-day)
  • Friday: Work Capacity, Low Back Fitness
  • Saturday: Mini-Event

Assessments
The plan deploys 4 specific assessments, and follow-on progressions based on your assessment results. This way the plan automatically “scales” to your incoming fitness level.

You’ll take these assessments 2x times over the 8 weeks – during Weeks 1 and 4:

  • SPFT – Max Hand Release Push Ups (2 minutes), Max Leg Tuck (2 minutes) and 3 Mile Run
  • 10 min Sandbag Getups @ 60# for reps
  • 12 Mile Heavy Ruck for Time – 35# Ruck, 10lb Rubber Rifle or Sledge Hammer, or Dumbbell
  • 6 Mile Run for Time

EXERCISE PROGRESSIONS
Exercise progressions for the assessments are based on your most recent assessment results for the SPFT, 10 minute Sandbag Get Ups for Reps, 6-Mile Run, and 12 Mile Ruck.

Example 1 – SPFT Hand Release Push Ups
Athlete Performs 60x Hand Release Push Ups on initial SPFT during Session 1.

Session 7 from the plan calls for:
5 Rounds, Every 90 Seconds
35% of your Max Rep Hand Release Push Ups

35% of 60x Hand Release Push Ups is 21(.35 x 60 = 21). Set a repeating timer for 90 seconds. On Round one, do 21x Hand Release Push Ups as fast as possible, then rest for the remaining time left in the interval. When the Round 1‘s 90 seconds is up, sprint through 21x Hand Release Push Ups again for Round 2, rest the remainder of the interval, etc. through 5 Rounds.

Note – the push up progressions are tough. You can break sets as needed to get in your reps during the 60 second interval. You may need to go to your knees to complete the reps.

Example 2 – SPFT 3-Mile Run:
Athlete completes the Session 1 SPFT 3-Mile run in 24:00

Session 4 from the plan calls for:

2 Rounds
Run 1-Mile at Interval Pace based on 3-Mile Run time
Rest 8 Minutes between runs

Go to the “Exercises” tab on the website and click “Running Calculator.” Chose the 3-Mile assessment distance and input the finish time of 24:00

The Running Calculator (see below) spits out the interval paces for various interval distances. You’ll see the 1-Mile Interval Pace is between 07:02 and 07:12.

On Round 1, run 1-Mile between 07:02 and 07:12. Rest 8 minutes, then repeat 1 more times

Example 3 – Sandbag Get Ups
Athlete Performs 75 Sandbag Getups @ 60# in Session 3.

Session 9 (AM) from the plan calls for:

10 Rounds – Every 90 Seconds, 10% of Max Sandbag Getups (Round Up)

10% of 75 Sandbag Getups is 7.5 (.1 x 75 = 7.5). Set a repeating timer for 90 seconds. On Round 1, do 8x Sandbag Getups (Round up from 7.5) as fast as possible, then rest for the remaining time left in the interval. Repeat this 9 more times for a total of 10 Rounds

Example 3 – 12 Mile Ruck Intervals

Athlete completes the Session 2 12-mile ruck assessment @35# plus 10# sledge/dumbbell/rubber rifle in 1:30:00 (12 min, 30 sec mile pace).

Session 4 from the plan calls for:

2 Rounds
3 Mile Ruck at Interval Pace based on SESSION 2 Heavy Ruck time, Flat Course.
Rest 10 minutes between Rucks

Load – 35# plus 10# sledge/dumbbell/rubber rifle

Go to the Exercise tab on the website and click the “Ruck Calculator.” (See below).

Screen Shot 2016-07-18 at 3.31.37 PM

On Round 1, you’ll run 3 miles at a per-mile pace of between 10:30 and 11:33, or under 34:39 total. Then rest 10 minutes, and do it again for Round 2.

Example 4 – 6 Mile Run Intervals

Athlete completes the 6-mile Run assessment in 42:15 in Session 3

Session 9 (PM) from the plan calls for:

2 Rounds
2 Mile Run at Interval Pace based on SESSION 3, 6-Mile Run Time
Rest 10 Minutes between runs

Go to the “Exercises” tab on the website and click “Running Calculator.” Chose the 6-Mile assessment distance and input the finish time of 42:15

The Running Calculator (see below) spits out the interval paces for various interval distances. You’ll see the “Per Mile” Interval Pace is between 06:18 and 06:46.

Screen Shot 2016-07-18 at 3.32.41 PM

On Round 1, run 2 miles at a per-mile pace no slower than 06:46 (13:32 total). Rest 10 minutes, then repeat.

HEAVY RUCK RUCK, IBA RUN, RUN, UNIFORMS

  • 12 Mile Ruck Assessment and 3-Mile Repeats – Full cammies, boots, helmet, 10 pound rubber rifle, sledge hammer, or dumbbell, 35# ruck plus water
  • 3 Mile run and repeats: Shorts, t-Shirt, sneakers
  • 6-Mile Run, 2-Mile Run and their interval repeats – Shorts, t-shirt, sneakers
  • Long Saturday Mini Events – Cammie pants, t-shirt, boots, 10 pound rubber rifle, sledge hammer, or dumbbell, 35# ruck for any rucking.

RUCKING ADVICE

Use this training plan to get your rucking dialed – including boots, pack loading (weight high instead of low seems to help), pacing, nutrition, and hydration dialed. Ruck in the same boots you’ll take to selection. Refuel the same way you’ll refuel at selection, etc. One tip for the Rucks – a run/walk split will help you cover ground, for example, Run 3 Minutes, Walk 1 Minutes. Also, work to increase the frequency of short strides to increase speed, rather than stretching out your stride.

REQUIRED EQUIPMENT

  • Stop Watch with Repeating Countdown Timer – Smartphone will work.
  • 60# Sandbag
  • Ruck – same ruck you will use at selection, 35# of filler, 10# Rubber Rifle (No rifle? Use a 10 lb sledge hammer or a 10# dumbbell)
  • Pull up Bar
  • Climbing Rope
  • Foam Roller

COMMON QUESTIONS

What if I miss a day?
Don’t skip ahead. Start where you left off. The plan is progressive, and its training sessions designed to be completed in order.

What if I have less then 8 weeks before I start the Selection Course?
Still start at the beginning of this training plan anyway. Don’t skip ahead.

What if I can’t handle the training volume at first?
Building stamina and resilience is a key training goal of this plan, and physical and mental stamina is also key to completing the Selection course. If you can’t handle the training volume at first, its better to cut training sessions short, rather than take unscheduled rest days.

What if I can’t make the prescribed reps for the bodyweight exercises, or the prescribed interval times for the rucks or runs?
Do your best, and be sure to do the total number of rounds, even if you can’t make the reps or the time. Don’t quit. Push ups – it’s not unusual to have to break sets and/or go to your knees to make your prescribed reps.

How do you count reps for Sandbag Getups?
Sandbag Getups – The prescribed rep count is total reps, so 50x Sandbag Getups at 60# sandbag = 50x total reps, 25x each shoulder.

Unfamiliar Exercises? Questions?
Go to www.mtntactical.com and click the “Exercises” link to see unfamiliar exercises.

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.

Required Equipment

REQUIRED EQUIPMENT




  • Stop Watch with Repeating Countdown Timer – Smarthphone will work

  • 60# Sandbag

  • Ruck - same ruck you will use at selection, 35# of filler, 10# Rubber Rifle (No rifle? Use a 10 lb sledge hammer or a 10# dumbbell)

  • Pull up Bar

  • Climbing Rope

  • Foam Roller

Sample Training

BELOW IS THE ENTIRE WEEK 1 OF PROGRAMMING:

******************

SESSION 1

Obj: Assessment (SPFT)

Warm up:

3 Rounds

Training:

(1) Max Hand Release Push ups in 2 Minutes

- Note - rest position is in the front leaning rest position (high plank)

*** Rest 5 Minutes

(2) Max Leg Tuck in 2 Minutes

- Note: You can rest in the down position, but cannot let go of the bar to rest

*** Rest 5 Minutes

(3) 3 Mile Run (timed)

RECORD YOUR SCORES

***********

SESSION 2 

Obj: Ruck Assessment

(1) 12 Mile Ruck for Time, Flat Course

Load - 35# + 10 lb Rubber Rifle/Sledge/Dumbbell

RECORD YOUR TIME 

************

SESSION 3

Obj: Assessment

Warm up:

3 Rounds

  • 8x Squats
  • 8x Push-Ups
  • 8x Sit-Ups
  • Run 100m
  • Instep Stretch

Training: 

(1) 10 Min Sandbag Getups for Reps @ 60#

RECORD TOTAL REPS

** Rest 10 Minutes

(2) Run 6 miles for Time

RECORD YOUR TIME 

************

SESSION 4 AM

Obj: SPFT Work (Use results from SESSION 1)

Warm up:

3 Rounds

Training:

(1) 5 Rounds, every 90 sec

30% of Max Hand Release Push ups

(2) 5 Rounds, every 60 sec

30% of Max Rep Leg Tucks

(3) 2 Rounds

Run 1-Mile at the "1-Mile Interval Pace"  based on the SESSION 1, 3-mile Run Time and the MTI Running Calculator

Rest 8 Minutes between efforts

(4) 3 Rounds

PM TRAINING:

Obj: Ruck Work

(1) 2 Rounds

Ruck 3 Miles at your "3-Mile Interval Pace" using your SESSION 2, 12-Mile Ruck Finish time and the MTI Ruck Calculator.

Rest 10 Minutes between Rucks

Load - 35# + 10 lb Rubber Rifle/Sledge/Dumbbell

***********

SESSION 5

Obj: Assessment

Warm Up:

3 Rounds

  • 10x Walking Lunges
  • 10x Push Ups
  • 10x Situps
  • Run 100m
  • Instep Stretch

Training:

(1) 6 Rounds for Time

  • 5x Sandbag Burpees @ 60#
  • Rope Climb or 3x Tarzan Pull Ups
  • Run 400m

RECORD FINISH TIME

(2) 3 Rounds

  • Hip Flexor Stretch
  • Instep Stretch
  • Foam Roll Quads and Low Back

*********

SESSION 6

Obj: Mini Event - 2 Hour

Set a Running Clock …

(1) Minute 1-30

Ruck Run @ 35# pack plus 10# Sledge/Dumbbell or Rubber Rifle, moderate pace

Moderate = comfortable but not easy

(2) Minute 31-60

  • 5x Mixed Grip Pull Ups
  • 10x Hand Release Push Ups
  • 15x Squats
  • 20x Sit Ups

(3) Minute 61-90

IBA Run wearing IBA, 25# weight vest or 25# pack plus 10# Sledge/Dumbbell or Rubber Rifle, moderate pace

Moderate = comfortable but not easy

(4) Minute 91-120

  • 5x Mixed Grip Pull Ups
  • 10x Hand Release Push Ups
  • 15x Squats
  • 20x Sit Ups

Testimonials



"This training is excellent and very pertinent.  Unlike other exercises and training plans, MTI has done an excellent job in creating a plan with purpose and I can clearly see how each exercised translates to  real-world military training.



Thanks for everything thus far."



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"I am sending this email to let you know that after completing several of your training programs, I have been successful with a difficult Army course. I graduate from the Sapper Leader Course tomorrow. Your programs have changed my life when y comes to PT, and I want to personally thank you for all the hard work and dedication you and Mountain Tactical puts forth."

 

**********************************

 

"Back at the end of 2016 I reached out to you asking for program advise prior to attending Sapper school. At the time I was deployed in Iraq and you recommended Big24 followed by the Greeks prior to the 8 week Sapper specific program. Let me tell you, that Sapper program was no joke and the Saturday mini events kicked my ass. I was in the best endurance shape of my life.

Ultimately the work paid off and I received my tab as a first time go. I wasn’t the strongest or the fastest but I was overall one of the most rounded. One piece of feedback would be to adjust the end of the programming. Sapper always has a report date that falls on a Thursday with the initial PT test hitting at 0500 on Friday and the Ruck march Saturday at 0200. Both of these events are prereqs to classing up. Adjusting the rest days to account for this schedule would help.

Hope this is helpful and thanks again for being so receptive to user questions."

 

 

1)  Mission Direct

Gym numbers mean nothing. All that matters is mission performance. 

To this end, MTI’s fitness solutions and programming are not boxed in by convention, tradition, orthodoxy, public opinion or any other artificial constraint driven by inside or outside forces.

We begin with the raw fitness demands of the mission and build a fitness solution which directly prepares the athlete for those demands.

 

2) Fitness Solutions Built from the Ground Up

MTI’s programming is not “re-tread” bodybuilding, football, CrossFit, kettlebell, strength or general fitness programming. We’ve built our fitness programming for mountain and tactical athletes from the ground up.

The Fluid Periodization methodology we deploy to concurrently train multiple fitness attributes is completely original and has continued to evolve and improve over the years.

Our mid-section training methodology, Chassis Integrity, is also original, as is our endurance programming, 7 strength training progressions, tactical agility, and work capacity programming.

Our mountain sports pre-season training plans, tactical PFT, selection, school, course, and fitness improvement training plans across military, LE and Fire Rescue are MTI-developed, tested and athlete-proven.

Over the years hundreds of athletes and coaches have taken our advanced programming and unit fitness leader programming courses and MTI is widely recognized within the mountain and tactical professions and fitness media as a thought leader in fitness programming for military and tactical athletes.

 

3) The MTI Method

→ Research: MTI begins program design with extensive research of the fitness demands of the mission, sport or event, identifies the exercises and progressions which sport-specifically meet those demands, chose end-of-cycle goals, and program backward to design the training plan.

→ Deploy & Assess: We deploy the training plan “Lab Rats” at our Wyoming facility. Training session and cycle issues are identified and fixed as we work through the training plan. Post cycle we assess the programming’s effectiveness and efficiency. We keep the stuff that works, and fix or toss the stuff that doesn’t.

→ Publish & Assess Again: Plan is published for purchase as an individual training plan and made available to our subscribers. Feedback/results are assessed.

→ Iterate: We take what we learn from lab rats and athletes, re-visit, update and improve already published training plans. Several of our individual training plans are on their 4th or 5th version.

 

4) Mission-Direct Research

MTI exists to “Improve Mountain and Tactical Athletes mission performance and keep them safe.” To that end, we have developed a unique research methodology aimed at identifying real world areas of improvement and identifying immediately deployable mission-direct solutions. Click HERE to learn more about MTI’s Mission-Direct Research methodology, and Here to read about just few of our research efforts.

5) Field Proven

Our stuff works. Weekly we receive unsolicited reviews of our programming and testimonials to its effectiveness.

 

6) Programming Breadth

MTI’s library of 200+ sport-specific fitness plans for mountain and tactical athletes is unmatched. Resources range from specific programming for tactical special forces selections, to specific plans for climbing Rainier and Denali, to general fitness solutions such as running improvement, to post-rehab from injury.

Over the past decade, MTI has partnered with hundreds of athletes throughout their individual mountain and tactical careers, and provided fitness solutions as they face new mountain objectives, tactical schools, selections, PFTs and deployments, and came back from injury.

 

7) Worldwide Influence

Our work is not limited to US Athletes.

We’ve developed selection-specific training plans for Canadian, UK, Australian and German Special Forces Selections and worked with individual military personnel from Scandinavia, South, and Central America.

Canadian, Australian, UK and western European law enforcement and fire/rescue athletes have used MTI programming for mission-direct fitness.

On the mountain side, Alpinists from Japan to Slovakia have consulted with MTI and used MTI’s programming to prepare for mountain objectives.

 

8) Mission Performance beyond Fitness

MTI’s exists is to improve Mission Performance for mountain and tactical athletes and keep them safe. 

This focus on “mission direct” solutions, enhancements and improvements drives our work and research and extends beyond fitness solutions to include training, leadership, gear, team culture, and safety. 

Fitness is just one area of our work.

Our non-fitness research has included tactical cultures, combat uniforms, and gore-tex performance, and effect of stress on marksmanship.

Our work on defining what it means to be a Quiet Professional has had penetrating influence and driven healthy conversations with both mountain and tactical professionals.

 

9) Direct, Honest, Clear Answers

Since 2007 we’ve taken and answered dozens of questions weekly from mountain and tactical athletes. We’ve saved these individual Q&A’s and now thousands are archived on our site.

We’re not salesmen, and our answers are noted for their directness, honesty, and clarity. Our stuff isn’t for everyone. If we can help, we’ll let you know. If we can’t, we’ll let you know that, too.

– Rob Shaul, Founder

 

All of the Above is Backed Up By Our Promise: Our Stuff Works. Guaranteed.

Our Stuff Works. Guaranteed.

By Rob Shaul

I received notes frequently from athletes hesitant to purchase a subscription or training plans asking me to sell them on why they should make the purchase.

While I understand the question, I’m not a salesman – so I can’t put a hard sale on anyone for our programming.

I can tell them the process we go through to design our programming.

We begin with extensive research on the fitness demands of the event, identify the exercises and progressions which sport specifically meet those demands, chose end-of-cycle goals, and program backward to design the plan.

Then we test the cycle on ourselves and our lab rats here in Wyoming. We document, note what works and doesn’t work, re-assess, and make changes and modifications.

Then we publish the programming in the form of one of our plans or as part of our subscription daily training sessions for tactical and mountain athletes.
We don’t stop there – our daily programming is the “tip of the spear” for our programming evolution. We use these sessions to learn and make continuous improvement.

As we learn more and improve, we go back, and update the sport-specific training plans on the website. For example, we’re currently on Version 5 of our Ruck Based Selection Training Plan and Version 3 of our Dryland Ski Training Plan and Version 4 of our Big Game Back Country Hunting Training Plan.

We understand our programing isn’t cheap, but we believe it’s a great value. The $79 for the Ruck Based Selection Training Plan, and $39 for the Dryland Ski Training Plan reflect the, research, work, innovative theory, iteration, testing and feedback we’ve put in and received to make these plans effective.

All that matters for us is outside performance, and we feel strongly that Our Stuff Works in the real world.

Here’s our guarantee:

1) Individual Training Plan Purchase:
If you purchase an individual training plan, follow it as prescribed before your season/event/pft/selection, and if you don’t feel you were physically ready for your season/event/pft/selection, and/or didn’t see dramatic improvements in your early season performance, we’ll refund your money, no questions asked.

2) Athlete’s Subscription
If you purchase an Athletes’ Subscription, follow the training sessions as prescribed, and are not satisfied with the quality of the programming, notify us within 30 days of purchase, and we’ll refund your money, no questions asked.

Questions?
Email: rob@mtntactical.com

COMMON QUESTIONS:

Do you have any reviews or testimonials from athletes who have used your Athlete’s Subscription
Yes. Click HERE.

Is it true you guarantee your stuff works?
Yes. If you purchase an Athletes’ Subscription, follow the training sessions as prescribed, and are not satisfied with the quality of the programming, notify us within 30 days of purchase, and we’ll refund your money, no questions asked.

How is MTI programming different than CrossFit?
This is a common question. Read our answer HERE.

You have a lot of competitors. Why should I choose MTI?
MTI is driven to improve mountain and tactical athletes’ mission performance and keep them safe. This emphasis and focus on mission performance sets us apart. Read about more that sets us apart HERE.

If I purchase a plan or subscription, how do I access the programming?
All of our plans are online, accessible via username and password.
You can log in through our →Website  or Mobile App →IOS and Android.

Do you have downloadable .pdf’s of the training plans?
No. But you can print the programming, by week, from your browser. You access individual training plans online via a username and password.

Do you have a mobile app?
Yes, we do. Available for IOS and Android.

What is the difference between purchasing an individual training plan, packet of plans or an Athlete’s Subscription?

  • Plan – Like purchasing the DVD of the first Star Wars movie. You own it forever, including any updates we make to the plan.
  • Packet – Like purchasing the DVD’s of all the Star Wars movies. You own them forever, including any updates we make to the plans.
  • Athlete’s Subscription – Like subscribing to Netflix. You get access to all 200+ plan in our library, but lose access if you unsubscribe.

If I purchase an Athletes Subscription Can I cancel on my own, anytime?
Yes.

Do I have to contact MTI to cancel or can I do it myself?
You can do it yourself. Instructions HERE.

If I purchase a subscription and have questions about where to start or what plans(s) to use for my goals, will you help?
Yes. We answer dozens of training questions from athletes weekly. Email coach@mtntactical.com.

If you add new plans or update existing plans after I subscribe will I have access to them?
Yes. We are continuously adding training plans and packets (2-5/month) and updating plans. With your subscription you’ll have access to all new plans, new courses and plan updates.

What Equipment is Required?
Click the “Required Equipment” tab to find out what equipment is required for the specific plan you are interested in.

Where do I find unfamiliar exercises?
See our Exercise Library HERE. The Run and Ruck Calculators are listed as exercises.

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. You are encouraged to do it before purchasing.

What if I have more questions?
Email rob@mtntactical.com

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