If you plan to become a part of the army or the police force, then you might be interested in becoming what we call a “tactical athlete.” That means not only developing strength but also making sure you’re agile, quick on your feet, and able to endure difficult situations and long missions. The problem with working towards that goal is that you’re essentially aiming to become “good at everything” – so you lack focus on one area. You don’t have one particular thing you’re trying to achieve. Instead, you’re hustling towards improving every single part of being a great athlete.
In theory, this sounds great – after all, who doesn’t dream of being the perfect athlete? But in practice, more often than not, problems with programming tend to occur as it’s very hard to fit in so many different kinds of training sessions in one block. In this short article, we’re going to talk about how to fit in powerlifting with your military tactical training and whether that’s even possible to do.
So, if that’s something you want to learn more about, then keep on reading.
What Goes Into Military Tactical Fitness Training?
Before discussing whether other sports, such as powerlifting, can fit into a military tactical fitness program, we first have to define what that term means. As you all know, members of the army, special forces, and the police have to be very well physically prepared – meaning they should be able to sprint quickly, endure many miles of walking and/or running, and perform all kinds of strength training exercises. In addition to that, they also need to be able to control their emotions, make the right decisions in key moments, and work safely and accurately with firearms.
For one person to be able to do all that, it takes a special kind of dedication and a ton of hours working out and practicing. More often than not, the regime is so rigorous that it’s hard to fit in any specialized training for a sport – regardless of whether that’s powerlifting or football. With that said, as powerlifting is essentially a type of strength workout, it’s easier to include it in your training in comparison to other sports.
How to Mix Powerlifting With Military Tactical Fitness Training
If you’re asking this question, then it’s highly likely that you’re already a powerlifter, and you’re wondering how you can combine it with the kind of work you have to do to get into the military. Fortunately, it’s not a mission impossible to achieve that, as long as you obey a few principles.
Determine What You’re Lacking: If you’re already pretty strong, but you need to work on your agility and endurance, then you need to prioritize those two training sessions over powerlifting and other strength work. However, if you’re someone that is lacking power and strength, you can feel free to put focus on your powerlifting journey.
Pay Attention to Programming: On the same note, make sure you program carefully – either do a weekly split or alternate between days. For example – Monday, Wednesday & Friday are for endurance and agility, while Tuesday and Thursday are for strength training. Alternatively you can dedicate week 1 to powerlifting and week 2 to cardio, but we don’t recommend that route as it makes it more difficult to recover between sessions.
Train Safely: Ensure you have the right equipment for all the training sessions you’re doing. For your runs, get proper shoes that are fit for your stride and will protect you from any potential knee or ankle injuries. The same applies to powerlifting – use chalk, a belt, and wraps. One of the favorite exercises among powerlifters is the deadlift. Deadlifting with wraps and a belt will make the movement that much safer, as it will protect your hands and your back from potential injuries. In the long run, that will ensure your body is able to handle all of the extra training.
Give Yourself Recovery Time: With so many activities and so little time, people often make the mistake of never resting or just resting too little. While the method of constantly working may get you some results in the short run, it will also surely lead to negative outcomes in the long run, as your body will simply feel unable to handle all that extra stress. For that reason, it’s good to give yourself at least two days for active recovery each week – during those, you can work on your mobility and also prioritize social activities, as having your personal life away from military preparation will be key for your mental clarity.
Pay Attention to Your Nutrition: As you increase your workload, you also have to ensure you get adequate fuel. Athletes always say you eat to perform and to recover better, and that’s one mantra you should follow as well. Try your best to get high-quality, healthy meals full of complex carbs, good fats, and a decent amount of protein. Along with that, be graceful with your body and treat yourself with something you love from time to time.
Adapt & Adjust: The key to good programming is flexibility. Be ready to adjust on weeks where you don’t feel as well or to change days depending on how your body is responding to the training. That way, it will feel less stressful, both mentally and physically.
In Conclusion
As you can see, it’s absolutely possible to combine your passion for powerlifting with your mandatory military training. It all comes down to proper planning and having the ability and flexibility to adjust whenever needed. However, it’s crucial to keep in mind that your interest in powerlifting shouldn’t be prioritized over your need to improve in other athletic areas, as that might cost you a place in the army or police force. That’s why your main focus should always first be on the ultimate goal of your training and then on how you can make it more enjoyable for yourself.
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