Transforming from Athlete to Tactical Athlete:
The Core Principles of Tactical Fitness vs. Athletic Training

The term “tactical” often finds its way into discussions to set apart the extraordinary as “military grade” or the stylishly functional as “tactic-cool.” About 15 years ago, this term extended into a new realm—tactical fitness, which focuses on the physical preparation essential for military, law enforcement, and firefighting professions. The transformation from athlete to tactical athlete is based on many similarities but some profound differences. Tactical fitness becomes your secret weapon when your mission demands versatility and resilience across a spectrum of athletic elements and tactical skills.

I look at it this way. As someone who seeks methods for over 25 years (and counting) to coach people preparing for military, police, and fire fighter professions, that treating themselves as athletes is critical to being a capable sheep dog / public servant.  One of the most essential rules for tactical athletes is treating oneself as an athlete, which is crucial for those preparing for roles as protectors and public servants. This mindset necessitates adopting the habits of an athlete—consistent training, proper nutrition, hydration, and recovery—to build a resilient and capable individual. You don’t have to be a world-class powerlifter or a triathlete, but you need a versatile combination of job-specific skills to perform efficiently without risking injury. In essence, your training should be as if the lives of your loved ones depended on it.

Similarities Between Tactical Fitness and Athletic Training

This requires tactical fitness to become “sports / job specific” or even better, “multi-phasic movement specific” grounded in a foundation of movements that are basic to all athletics.  Movements that are multi-planar as well and based in strength such as squats, pushups, pullups, dips, overhead press, lunges, hip hinges, carry, crawl, run, swim, and load bearing (ruck / equipment carry). As with any sport, with these movements, you need to have a foundation of strength to build the other elements of fitness upon and specialize depending upon the sport / job in training. If you are coming from several years as a competing athlete, you may have a few of these strengths already, but there are typically equal and opposite weaknesses you must assess immediately. 

The Differences

An easier way to break these movements up is to say, Push, Pull, Leg, Full-body, Core, Cardio. Then taking these movements and applying ALL the elements of fitness to them such as strength / power, speed / agility, endurance / muscle stamina, and flexibility / mobility.  This is essentially Tactical Fitness. Of course, there are many sub-categories to these elements such as hand-eye coordination, grip strength, core strength, and varying methods and speed and distances of cardio endurance. But what differentiates tactical fitness from standard fitness / athletic training is that the tactical athlete HAS to be good at all of these elements of fitness. A swimmer does not need agility. A powerlifter does not need to run. A runner does not need upper body strength. And if you look at the best in the world in these sports, it shows. However, once again, depending upon the job of the tactical professional, varying degrees of ability in ALL of the elements will apply.  

Tactical Fitness – Three Phases - To, Through, and After

Getting TO the Training - As with any athletic programming, you have to start somewhere.  In the tactical fitness world, phase one requires an athlete to get TO the Training. To do this, you need to master a specific set of skills that are in a fitness test. Some are tougher than others. In the athletic world, a younger athlete will do well focusing on the similar basics of squats, pushups, pullups, lunges, and running / swimming to get in shape for more sport-specific skills. These exercises and tests vary from military branch of service, to each police and fire department across the world.  Some similarities, but all typically have a different way to assess a candidate’s abilities. Training specifically for this test is critical especially if the job you are seeking is competitive. But it does not end there, once you are in the competitive range of fitness testing, you need to start preparing for phase two of tactical fitness – getting THROUGH the training.

Getting THROUGH the Training - Depending upon what is next for you as a qualified candidate (boot camp, basic, police and fire academy, SWAT, or special ops selection), the next focus is getting specific, which requires some research, creativity, and understanding of the movements required in daily activities. Preparing the body for heavier load bearing activities is typical as you will carry your gear in these jobs.  This can be 15-20 lbs and more than 100 lbs depending on the activity being trained.  That is why the foundation of strength is critical even for programs that boast high-rep calisthenics training, longer running, rucking, and swimming. Simulating these movements can be done with logs, dumbbells, kettlebells, sandbags, medicine balls, and even a buddy in a fireman carry activity.  Regardless, a true mix of being good at all the above elements are fitness will bode well for the student as weaknesses in any of the elements of fitness will quickly be determined into the first few days of your actual training/selection.

After the Training – Now as an Active Duty Member of Tactical Profession, it is your job to learn specific job skills.  Master the basics and identify your weaknesses. Practice not until you get things right, but until you cannot get them wrong.  You never stop training and you should never stop physically training for the same fitness elements above will be required (maybe less / maybe more) to some degree in your job. In fact, durability, work capacity, mindset, and stress mitigation become the focus IF you want to have longevity in your career.  Training smarter – not harder is the goal, especially as we age in this profession, still covering the movements listed above. After all, in a 20-30 year career, you will be older longer than you are younger.  Learning to evolve your training to fit the job, your lifestyle, and your previous injuries, and to prevent future injuries and chronic stress, is key to performing at the highest levels within your unit.

So, get good at the things you dislike to do – not great, just good. Focus on your weaknesses as you transition from athletics to the tactical professions so you can address these weaknesses before they are discovered Day 2 in your basic or special ops training.

If you’re ready to transform your approach to fitness and embrace the tactical mindset, our comprehensive training programs offer the tailored support and expert guidance you need. Whether you’re preparing for a career in the military, law enforcement, or firefighting, we can help you get to, through, and beyond your training. Explore our programs today and start your journey to becoming a high-performing tactical athlete ASAP as any weakness left undeveloped will be exposed on day 1 of training. Visit StewSmithFitness.com to learn more.

From Competitor to Protector! At Stew Smith Fitness, unravel the distinct phases of becoming a Tactical Athlete. Immerse yourself in a journey where your competitive spirit meets essential tactical skills, designed specifically for those prepared to serve in elite military, law enforcement, and firefighting roles. 

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