How This Fitness Conference Trains Tactical Athletes

Every year, I make it a point to attend the National Strength and Conditioning Association's Tactical Strength and Conditioning (TSAC) annual training.

It was held this month in San Diego, and the event is where the science of physical fitness, mental toughness and resilience meet the needs of the military, law enforcement and firefighting community professionals.

I speak at these events each year, but I attend many of the classes and learn something new each year from some of the smartest trainers in the world. Now, 10 years old, tactical fitness is its own genre, answering the call of tactical athletes in the professions where physical fitness can be the difference between life and death.

Since the first TSAC symposium more than 10 years ago, the community has evolved significantly. Here are a few of the positive developments that have come from creating a such a specific program:

1. Education: A great effort has begun in this direction. Teaching all first responders they are tactical athletes and to treat themselves like athletes is an ongoing educational challenge. The NSCA also has created a TSAC facilitator certification program that helps trainers have standard core knowledge as well as follow-on education each year; continuing education units (CEU) through online training or attending sanctioned training programs and conferences also are available.

Training the trainers is a key element at TSAC conferences. While education is the primary focus, it is not limited to the physical mission of the tactical athlete.

2. Resilience: In an effort to address the mental and emotional stress of the tactical professions, resilience, mental toughness and thinking under stress are also core training objectives within the programming. Guest speakers, like Col. Dave Grossman, drive home the need for our tactical professionals to learn the physiological and psychological stresses of their job.

Taking away the stigma of seeking assistance to deal with high-stress events has been a major focus of the TSAC and its participants. Those efforts have made a significant positive impact on all who get involved and learn more about the physiology of stress and coping mechanisms.

3. Tactical trainers: Human performance departments have been created across the military branches and special-ops units, largely due to the military seeing the need for a smarter way to train.

Many groups within the military, special-ops world, police and firefighting communities have hired actual fitness consultants to create smart training programs to prepare for the deployment cycles of the military or the daily grind of shift work within the police and firefighting/EMT communities.

A focus on nutrition, tactical athletic performance, rest and recovery is in constant balance with being mission ready. Some trainers are veterans and have higher education in physiology, as well as certifications in strength and conditioning by such groups as the NSCA.

4. Vendors: Meeting the vendors and testing out equipment is an exciting part of the conference. Some of the fitness world's greatest companies are represented in the vendor halls. Here is a list of some of the standout vendors that received attention from the military, police and fire department purchasers:

TRX: This is a classic piece of suspension training equipment and deployable gyms made by Sorinex. It is entrenched in the tactical fitness world.

Sorinex and Raptor Weight Vests: Sorinex is a gym equipment manufacturer creating customized gyms for tactical gyms, and college and professional teams. Raptor Weight Vest is now working with Sorinex to sell here in the USA.

Strength Board Balance: A new balance board great for rehab as well as adding to standard workouts.

Combat Ready Tape: Kinesiology tape but prepacked for body parts. Great for the go-bag/med kit.

MoBell Muscle: Collapsible barbells/sandbag weights. Easy for travel.

Gopher Performance: One of the leading distributors of fitness, education and wellness products.

The Right Stuff: A NASA-developed hydration product used by professional and tactical athletes, and Olympians.

Brute Force Training: A leading distributor of sandbag and functional training.

Perform Better: A leading distributor of education and functional training products.

There were more than 30 vendors featuring products, services and educational opportunities for human performance departments, the individual tactical athletes and trainers. Because of space, I am sorry I could not list all of the vendors equally.

If you are interested in learning where the future of tactical fitness is moving and meeting many of the decision makers in the business, consider the NSCA-run Tactical Strength and Conditioning annual training program next year.

Stew Smith is a former Navy SEAL and fitness author certified as a Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) with the National Strength and Conditioning Association. Visit his Fitness eBook store if you're looking to start a workout program to create a healthy lifestyle. Send your fitness questions to stew@stewsmith.com.

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