General

Just finished RAT 6 about 2 weeks ago and saw a huge leap in my overall fitness and my Oly lifts technique. I’m new to lifting (or at least, lifting smart) and I weigh right around 165. When I started the plan, I could Bench 185# and Squat around 265#. I’m up on everything now, probably in large part due to just learning the proper technique through your videos. My Bench is now at 215#, and my Squat is at 360#. I had never done Power or Hang Cleans before, and now they’re a regular part of my workout. I’m planning on either going through another of your plans, or subscribing to the Operator Sessions, now that I feel more ready for them.

Great job with an awesome program! Gratefully,

You might find this feedback interesting….I’ve trained through your Ultra Running, Ruck Based Selection, Operation Ugly Train Up, Work Capacity and Body Weight programs with great results. 10 days ago, I was hiking with my wife- easy day, just six miles over moderate terrain. At mile 3.5, I rolled my ankle and fell hard. I was on the ground for about 5 minutes before I even tried to stand. Long story short, we walked the next 2.5 miles at a slow pace, and every step hurt (not the worse pain I’ve been in, but it was rough). Thinking it was just a sprain, I iced it, took some anti-inflammatory pills, wrapped it, tried to keep the weight off it, and left it at that. While at my routine physical yesterday, I asked my doctor to take a look at it. We took some x-rays, and he had a look of disbelief. I had been walking for 10 days with a broken ankle and not known it. I’d been in some degree of discomfort, but nothing that ever bothered me after the second day. After some further tests, and seeing an orthopedist, they determined that the ligaments and tendons in my feet, ankle and legs were so “durable” and strong, that they were basically making up for a broken bone, hence why I could walk all day with only mild discomfort.

I would credit your training with making me “durable”. While I’m going to be sidelined for the next 12 weeks with a soft cast/hard boot, at least I know I have a bullet proof (sort of) lower body. On another note, any ideas on training for someone with a leg in a boot for the next three months?

just wanted to thank you again for putting together the Tough Mudder packet, I finished my first race on Sunday in under two hours (11 miles) with gas in the tank, or at least it felt like it. You weren’t kidding in saying that the program will certainly over-prepare you – I got through 4 1/2 weeks (I bought it late for my comp) and felt like that was even more than enough. Anyway, thanks again, you guys rock.

“I wanted to thank you for your 5 week Goruck Training plan. I just did the Goruck Challenge 10/27/12. Class 300, and I can tell you that your plan not only helped me physically but mentally also. When I first recieved the plan and started looking through the workouts and how they progressed I thought to myself ” no freakin way !”, but when I actually did them I realized how much I was capable of and it changed my outlook on the challenge itself. After your workouts I was more motivated and excited to do the challenge because I knew I could do it. Your plan helped me focus on the task at hand and not dread the whole ordeal. I’m 43 and have had knee and back injuries that caused some concern but I believe your plan also kept me injury free because of all the core and leg work. You were right I actually started to love the sandbag getups, what an awesome exercise ! I am going to continue following with Military athlete’s programs because they work! Thanks again.”

Rob – Another quick note to let you know that the 5 Week GoRuck Program worked perfectly. My buddy and I followed the program from 5 weeks out and had no troubles with strength, conditioning or endurance at any point during our event. In fact we were a few of the strongest at the end and finished knowing that we had fitness to spare. That’s not bad for a couple of older desk jockeys. Thanks again for taking the time to answer my questions and producing a program geared towards such a fun event. Keep up the great work! -L

I recently finished up the Big 24 Strength Plan and it was dead on. I made substatial gains in all the lifts involved, and the weighted calistenics always challenged me. I doubled up the Big 24 with the Core Strength 1 plan and the two really seemed to work well with each other. I have done the Core Strength plan twice now and have always enjoyed it. Each time I complete it, I can definitely feel the strength carry over to everything else that I do.
I am currently heading into the second week of the 369 plan, and I’m finding it to be a real smoker. Its reminded me how much my work capacity has taken a hit in the last few months. Its turning out to be exactly what I need. I would also like to state, that the transition from Big 24 into 369 has been very smooth. The two programs are terrific complements to each other.

Thanks for all the programming and always answering my questions,

Been following Military Athlete from a distance since I left the military (didn’t discover it while I was serving unfortunately).  Now that I am in Law Enforcement I am very excited about the new LE specific site.  The LE Fitness assessment looks much more appropriate for the job that I do, disappointingly the actual physical test we have to pass periodically is not very demanding or job specific.  –J

I just completed the 24-hour GORUCK Heavy event in Pittsburgh PA this past weekend.   Myself along with 4 other friends used your 6-week GORUCK Heavy training plan (the first version with the long ruck on Wed and the long events on the weekends).   We even did the overnight sessions @ 10 & 12 hours.  Everyone that trained using your plan finished the Heavy!  (30 total started the event, and 22 finished).  The Cadre for the this event also uses your MA Plans and actually talked about Rob Shaul several times and carried a 10# “freedom sledge”  for the whole after telling us about how he does the ruck workouts with the sledge as stated in you plans.  Also, at one point about 1/2 through the event, he made us do Sand bag get-ups!    So glad we used MA to train up for this! Thanks for the great programming – we are big fans and plan to keep using it! –G