At Tactical Barbell we define the Operational Athlete as ‘an individual required to excel in multiple fitness domains simultaneously – at any given time.’
Let’s break it down.
Excel: Depending on the kind of tactical athlete this means better than average. A LOT better than average. Let’s use the term advanced. If you’re an operational athlete you’ll rarely become elite at any one thing. So while you may never have a 1000lb deadlift, you’ll have to make do with a 500lb deadlift + the ability to run 5k in under 20 minutes. Something the specialist usually cannot do.
Multiple Fitness Domains: Pretty self-explanatory. As an operational athlete you have to have it all; a superior aerobic system, high levels of strength/structural resiliency, and work capacity to name a few. You have to find a way to train all of these qualities. If you’re hitting nothing but the weights 6 days a week you’re doing it wrong.
Simultaneously: Military operators have to have the ability to ruck for miles over brutal terrain. A ruck plus equipment/rations/extra ammo etc can easily end up weighing close to 80 pounds or more (strength/structural resiliency). Add sleep deprivation, constant muscular fatigue and exposure to the elements. 80lbs suddenly feels like 300lbs. Then that operator comes in from the field and has to hit 20 pull-ups on an upcoming Company or Squad PF test. So in this example the operator requires advanced levels of aerobic output and work capacity, along with a sufficient amount of strength-endurance and maximal-strength. These domains have to co-exist together in the moment. You can’t focus on strength training for several months and neglect cardio or vice versa.
At Any Given Time: Operational readiness isn’t a seasonal sport. Multiple fitness domains must co-exist simultaneously, and you have to be able to pull them out of your hat and perform year-round, every day, at any given time. Unlike a fighter, you can’t attend a 12 week training camp prior to competition, after which you get to eat cheeseburgers and let it all go for a while. You have to maintain a certain level of fitness all the time.
That’s how we define operational or tactical athletes.
Being Advanced in Multiple Fitness Domains is Elite. Think about it.
All of the above comes into play when you program your training. In Part 2, we’re going to cover off how to do that.