Training For the Tactical Athlete:  Samples from The Tactical Alpha Program

Training For the Tactical Athlete: Samples from The Tactical Alpha Program

As a tactical athlete, the stakes are high, and your level of fitness should be of the highest priority. For those entering an academy or basic training and wanting to excel, you’ll need a well rounded base of fitness.

For those that want to stand out and not just make it through, TACTICAL ALPHA is definitely for you. It’s time to lead the pack. BE THE ALPHA!

What Does a Tactical Athlete Need?

What attributes define a high level tactical athlete?

You must be well rounded in all markers of fitness.. This means you don’t have to excel in any one area, but you have to be good across all of them. In particular, I’d want to see:

  • High Aerobic Power
  • High level of strength-endurance
  • Strength in the big compound movement patterns (squat, deadlift, overhead press, bench press, pull up)
  • Mobility and durability: High level of work capacity and general physical preparedness.
  • Ability to generate power repeatedly (power-endurance)
  • Mental Resiliency: Ability to operate under extreme stress and fatigue.
tactical athlete pyramid

This may seem like a lot, and it is. Therefore, having a solid program is paramount in building yourself into a well-rounded machine.

A balance of strength work, conditioning and recovery is needed to ensure progress without burning yourself out.

My personal view of a tactical athlete is reflected in my programming. I visualize someone who has some muscle and enough size to look like they shouldn’t be messed with.

They should be lean, strong and able to run a 6 minute mile. They should be tenacious and able to continue working under extreme fatigue and mental stress. And they should be STRONG.

Get Stronger

Without a doubt, getting stronger must be a priority for any tactical athlete. That goes for a police officer as much as for a military athlete or firefighter.

The problem I’ve seen with a lot of programs is that this is taken to extremes to the point that some look more like bodybuilding or powerlifting programs, neglecting other critical aspects of tactical fitness.

Yes, you’ll look good.. but you’ll be a 4 cylinder Prius pretending to be a V8 SRT, and it won’t take long to be exposed.

Another problem is the type of strength being focused on. There MUST be a heavy focus on strengthening the core/trunk.

Tactical athletes often have to carry awkward loads over unknown terrain and distances. They may have to operate wearing heavy gear for long periods of time.

Again, weaknesses will be exposed, either in the form of injuries or simply breaking down and being unable to perform.

Improve Conditioning – Methods

Interval Sprinting

Tactical Alpha is a strength AND conditioning program. Out of a desire to remain big and strong and still be able to MOVE, I created this style of programming through a little bit of trial and error and a lot of research.

In basic training, at the age of 34, I was able to run sub-6 minute miles at 240lbs.

It was not easy to get to that point, but the methods used were sound and very effective.

I simply cut out most of the frequent, longer distance running that put a lot of recovery stress on the body, and implemented high intensity interval sprints, working up to about 8-10 x 400 meter sprints by the end of a 3 month training program.

These were supplemented with full body conditioning (see below) to great effect. This was to become the foundation of my programming.

The high intensity nature of the interval sprints allows us to gain a huge benefit in the form of aerobic power and mental toughness, while only having to perform them once every 7-9 days, or even less than that.

Full Body Conditioning

Aside from the sprints, full body high intensity conditioning is implemented with similar goals in mind.. To improve aerobic power and teach the body to clear lactate more efficiently. It isn’t mindless “WOD’s.” It’s purposeful, progressive conditioning.

Here’s an example of a Full-body conditioning session I used in the early days of Tactical Alpha.

These full body conditioning sessions use full body movements that are very taxing on the body. Therefore, we do NOT need to implement them more than once per week to gain a massive benefit from them.

Many people suffer from the mistake of performing TOO MUCH high intensity training, which only ends up hurting your progress in the long run.

Core Strength

Core strength is a misunderstood element of fitness. A strong core does not come from performing sit ups. It comes from forcing the trunk to stabilize heavy loads, as you would see in a movement like the Zercher Squat or heavy loaded carries.

Below is a Zercher Squat. Holding the weight out in front forces your core/trunk to work extremely hard to stabilize and maintain upright posture. All of the muscles in the core and the stabilizing muscles of the upper back are working overtime in movements like this.

Loaded Carries

Loaded carries are another staple set of exercises that don’t get nearly the attention they deserve. For a tactical athlete, these are a crucial addition to your training.

Below are two examples utilized in the Tactical Alpha program of effective loaded carry variations: Single Arm Overhead Carries and Farmer Carries

Get a Solid Program

Training with a structured program is always going to yield better results than just going at it alone.

This is even more true for a well designed, progressive program. Knowing exactly what you need to do each day and being able to measure progress will allow you to completely rebuild your engine and become an all around better, more complete tactical athlete.

There are many programs out there, but I’ll stand by Tactical Alpha against any of them.

I’ve used it on myself multiple times to great effect and have utilized the same programming with other athletes as well, always with great results.

The program is delivered through the TrainHeroic App. Every movement has a video demonstration and each training day is fully explained.

You also have access to a coach. It is an unbeatable value and a priceless tool for anyone serious about taking their performance to the next level.

Like they say.. Everyone wants to be a beast.. ’till it’s time to do what beasts do. If you’re ready to take yourself to the next level, we’re right here waiting.

tactical fitness athlete

Also, if You’ve read this far, I’ll reward you by offering you a 40% off code for the program. This isn’t a gimmick.. People pay the full price, but if you read this far you’re obviously serious about something, and at the end of the day I’d love to help you achieve your goals and beyond.

CODE: TacAlpha22: 40% off of an already very fairly priced elite program.

Conclusion

The Tactical Athlete must possess a high level of ability across the entire spectrum of fitness;  Aerobic power, strength, speed, strength-endurance and mobility.  

A police officer may need to chase a suspect, then engage in a physical altercation, all while wearing gear. A military athlete may need to sprint, under fire, to a fallen soldier, then carry him/her to cover, while wearing full kit. Firefighters may spend long periods of time with heavy gear on, handling heavy, awkward equipment and running in and out of dangerous situations.

When you need it the most, your level of fitness might just be what makes the difference between success and failure,,, life and death. However you decide to go about it, treat it as a high priority and get yourself a solid plan. Best of luck to you, and if you have any questions, feel free to shoot me an email: Contact@supastrong.net

SupaStrong
SupaStrong

Bioforce Certified Conditioning coach, Trainer. Federal Law Enforcement Agent, Army Reserve Infantryman 11B. Husband, Father, Brother, Son, Friend.

ST-3 Tactical Program

Swole Town Lifting Program

Swole Town.  A Lifting Program to Pack on Slabs of Muscle.

Swole Town. A Lifting Program to Pack on Slabs of Muscle.

Want to look like an absolute beast? Swole Town is live, and residency is earned and paid for with effort. I want to give you a sample training week (scroll to the bottom), and explain why this lifting program is worth paying a visit to if you’re looking to build muscle, get stronger and scare children and small animals with your physique.

3 months on the Swole Town Program and you’ll be buying new t-shirts… and jeans, cuz we don’t skip leg day, and we sometimes do it twice.

Build Muscle Fast

Swole town is designed around 4 week training blocks. Every 4 weeks, we move into a new cycle. When this happens, the focus changes a bit, gradually moving from higher volume cycles full of high-rep supersets and metabolic stress-inducing protocols, to more intense methods such as cluster sets and myotatic reps.

The point of this is to keep your body in a constant state of evolution and adaptation, and to keep things fresh and exciting. When you look forward to your training, your results tend to be a lot better. Swole Town is exciting and you’ll find yourself wanting to know what’s coming next.

You’ll also be marveling at the huge traps and massive back you see staring back at you in the mirror. This isn’t about pretty boy beach muscles. We’re building beasts.

Swole Town Pin

Methods for Strength and Size

The program uses varying methods designed to pack on size and build strength. Proven strategies are taken from many different programs and methods. These are all built in to optimize gains.

You may see elements of 5 x 5, strongman training, and classic bodybuilding techniques all thrown into the mix in different cycles. If it works, I’m going find a way to use it. And this makes training more enjoyable, as you’re exposed to different methods.

Metabolic Stress and Mechanical Load

In the end, only 2 factors lead to hypertrophy…

Metabolic Stress

Metabolic stress is induced through high rep supersets and taking sets to failure at the right time. We also utilize newer methods, such as Blood Flow Restriction Training (BFR), also known as occlusion training.

The physiological environment created within the muscle from this style of training is a huge stimulus for muscle growth. Metabolic stress is what causes the “pump” you feel (and see) when you train.

The current cycle we’re in, called “RAGE,” is full of metabolic stress-inducing methods. The pump is real.

Here’s just one example of extreme metabolic stress from a leg-day session. It’s simple. 100 reps on the zercher split squat without putting the bar down. Similar tactics are employed for upper body work as well.

Mechanical Load

Mechanical load simply refers to the load, or resistance placed on the muscle. Heavier weights cause a higher load to be placed on (and sensed by) the muscle, which leads to muscle growth and gains in strength. Your muscles are organs and can sense the tension being placed on them. The human body is truly amazing.

We take a balanced approach and attack each with specific methods.

What’s a Day in Swole Town Look Like?

Here’s a week from the current cycle, “RAGE.” This is just an example, but if you like what you see, come check out the program and try a free week to get a closer look.

In the app, every movement has a video demo and you have access to a coach as well.

Click on the date to see different days for this week of training.

Your Move

I already know you can get bigger and stronger with Swole Town. I’ve been using this programming for a long time and have trained many people using the same strategies. When you’re ready, come take a tour of the town and let the gainz begin.

Try Swole Town now for free for a week, no questions asked.

SupaStrong
SupaStrong

Bioforce Certified Conditioning Coach, Trainer. Coach/Creator of Swole Town and Supastrong.net. Currently a federal agent, formerly 11b Infantry in the US Army Reserves. Training and coaching are my passions.