Fitness Archives

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I recently got the chance to speak to Dr. Whitfield East, the research physiologist for the US Army Center for Initial Military Training (CIMT). You’ve probably never heard of him, but he is responsible for leading review and analysis of military physical fitness training for the Army. More importantly, he’s a key player in developing the Army’s new Combat Fitness Test.

During this interview, we cover several important topics including the history of combat fitness testing; how military physical training evolved over time; how the new ACFT came to be; and what a training program for the average guy like you or me might look like if we were looking to maintain a solid base of fitness like this test requires.

The July 2019 Marksman Challenge is upon us. Last month the focus was on the fundamentals of rifle marksmanship, and this month we pivot to fitness. The theme of the month is rucking. So dust off your pack and let’s get to work.

I want to tell you about one of the best books on fitness and exercise I’ve ever read. In a way, it completely revolutionized how I think about exercise. I first purchased Body by Science in 2012 after a long stint of exploring better ways to live a healthy life.

Most people approach cardio training all wrong. it’s not just about fat loss or heart health. Cardiovascular training also has huge impacts on your recovery time between hard workouts and even your cellular health.

This post is all about rucking.
I want to dig into one of the foundational skills of the military, especially the infantry, but one rarely seen in the civilian world. We’re going to talk about the benefits of movement on foot, over ground, while carrying a load.

Set the way back machine to August 2016. I wasn’t far from leaving the Air Force, and looking for a challenge. The day taught me a lot about grinning through the pain and discomfort.

It also taught me the value of a team.

Cardio training is one of those things that everyone knows they’re supposed to be doing. Yet science is showing that most of are doing it wrong. As it turns out, our bodies are best at either training at low intensity for aerobic conditioning, or at high intensity for anaerobic value.

Sandbag training is a fantastic way to add some realism to your strength and conditioning routine. The simple truth is that not all the movements you need to do in the real world involve perfectly balanced weights that you hold right on the center of gravity.

While researching places to download fitness programs, I came across the Mountain Tactical Institute (MTI), run by Rob Shaul. Waylon is a 7-week program focusing on work capacity, core strength, endurance, and strength.

You wouldn’t build a house without a foundation, right? Fitness works the same way. A lot of people, including me, have attempted to pursue some goal without building the proper base fitness level. Every time I’ve tried it, I’ve usually gotten injured or been unable to complete the program.