CIVILIAN PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
STRENGTH & POWER
Regardless of your goals, having a foundation of relative strength and power will enable you to excel in any endeavor. We focus on developing strength that can be applied in real-world scenarios - from doing yard work to playing with your kids to crushing a weekend-long race or event.
MOVEMENT & ATHLETICISM
Being athletic and moving well enables you to excel in any sport or activity you choose to pursue. It also reduces injury risk and allows you to maximize your enjoyment while performing at your best.
CONDITIONING
Regardless of your specific goal, all programs will maintain a baseline of conditioning to keep you healthy and enable you to shift your training emphasis quickly. We offer specialized programs for obstacle course races, up to 50 K races, backcountry skiing and hunting, and many more.
PROGRAM DURATION
Our program has no set length because it's highly adaptable and specific to the individual. Whatever your goal or timeline, we can accommodate it. We recommend dedicating at least 6 months to BTE to allow yourself sufficient time to achieve long-term results.
Our flexible programming keeps you fit and healthy even with a chaotic schedule or competing demands. We can customize days per week, training emphasis, and mix of workout types (strength vs. conditioning). This includes the ability to pursue various primary and secondary goals, such as preparing for a specific event, gaining strength, improving athleticism, building muscle, or enhancing conditioning, all while maintaining a well-rounded and healthy lifestyle.
THE PILLARS OF TRAINING
Training includes conditioning, strength work, calisthenics, athletic development, and everything else you'll need to be physically prepared to crush your goals. These aren't one-size-fits-all programs. Each program is based on your fitness, specific limiting factors, and timeline. PR tracking, suggested weights, running and rucking speeds, and heart rate zones based on your specific capabilities help you get the most out of every training session.
We deliver daily mental skill lessons to ensure you have the mental skills to navigate a law enforcement career's physical challenges, pain & fatigue, and cognitive and social aspects. Every training session includes a specific mental skill focus. Daily lessons help you build mental skills to become more resilient and capable week after week, month after month.
OUR CIVILIAN PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS ARE DELIVERED THROUGH THE:
TRAINING ALSO INCLUDES
Tired of getting hurt running? How you run is as important as a good training program. We'll teach you how to dial in your technique to shut down injuries.
Want to get faster? Technique and efficiency can make up to a 25% difference in your running speed. That means your 8:00 min/mile pace can drop to a 6:00 min/mile pace with changes to your technique. Our running skills course is baked into every training program, guaranteeing you'll not only become fitter but get more out of the fitness you already have
Stay healthy: Our proprietary movement screen app provides individualized movement drills to target your specific movement limitations so you feel better, stay healthy, and continue to get fitter month after month.
Bulletproof joints: We also have joint-specific assessments and movement interventions to help you bulletproof your joints and target any local issues or restrictions.
Access to all our tools & resources: Get instant access to everything you need to know about nutrition, heat acclimation, memory & cognition exercises, leadership & communication skills, hydration/electrolyte management, and snacking/nutrition considerations. Use these along with access to our extremely skilled and experienced coaching staff to answer all your questions.
FAQ
There is no set length. Our program has no set length because it's highly adaptable and specific to the individual.
Yes, our programs can be paused, adjusted, workouts moved around, etc. We have low and zero-equipment progressions and tons of on-demand resources such as mobility circuits, finishers to target specific limiting factors, movement interventions for specific aches & pains, and much more. We built flexibility into the process because we know everyone has competing demands.
Training is delivered via the BTE Training App. Once you sign up, we'll send you an invite link to set up an account and download the iOS or Android App. Once you've set up your account, we'll upload training.
It depends on your situation. Trainees typically train 3-6 days per week, depending on their training background, fitness, and availability. We can accommodate almost any schedule. Our programs are flexible and adaptable to your needs.
Yes, you can message our coaching team anytime through the app. We typically respond in less than 12 hours, 360 days per year.
You can easily look ahead to preview what’s coming up and adjust the training schedule accordingly. You can adjust your training in three ways:
- Adjust: You can adjust which training sessions are assigned to each day in the next week. This allows you to adjust training based on your schedule.
- Pause: Programs are assigned when needed, not on a never-ending loop. If you miss a few days or are on vacation for a week, you can easily pick up where you left off. When you need a new program, it will show up.
BTE Training Options
BTE Training App
- Goal-specific training programs based on your strengths, weaknesses, and desired training frequency.
- Daily mental skill lessons to help build your mind as well as your body.
- Access to BTE Coaches through messaging to get your questions answered (average response time is less than 8 hours).
- On demand workouts - finishers, movement circuits, bodyweight workouts, and add-ons are always available.
- Every training block & session includes an in-depth overview, so you know exactly why and how to get the most out of each training session.
- PR tracking, suggested weights, running and rucking speeds, and heart rate zones based on your specific capabilities help you get the most out of every training session.
- Access to BTE courses - Dialing in Sleep, Nutrition Fundamentals, Advanced Nutrition, Time Management, Cooking & Food Prep, Advanced SOF Prep Resources & Considerations
BTE Training App with Coaching Calls
- Everything included in the $49 Training App package
- Introductory 20-minute coaching call with Coach Miguel Zeran, aka "Z" to dial in your training program, set goals, and create a plan for accomplishing your goals.
- Monthly 20-minute coaching calls with Coach Z to continue refining your long-term plan in all facets of performance: training, nutrition, mental skills, sleep, & stress management.
- Bi-weekly in-depth check-ins with video feedback from Coach Z on all facets of your performance plan.
- This package is ideal for anyone who wants additional accountability and guidance without paying for the full 1v1 coaching experience
1-on-1 Coaching
- Individualized movement work to reduce injury risk and improve efficiency
- Fully-customized strength training to fit your needs, equipment, and schedule and keep you structurally balanced and resilient
- Work capacity training based on the demands of your job, selection, or event that you're training for
- Comprehensive energy systems development, including water comp training (when applicable) and individualized pacing and technique feedback
- Nutrition and supplementation guidance to optimize recovery, body-comp, and performance
- Individualized feedback with an ongoing dialogue with your coach to dial in your mental performance over time.
- Weekly check-ins with feedback on your performance, progress, and questions and unlimited email access to us throughout the process
Reviews
Three years in — still my best decision
I’ve been on the BTE programme since early 2022, and looking back, it’s hard to overstate how much it’s shaped my training and mindset.
When I first joined, I just wanted a solid structure. What I got was so much more — a system that’s taught me how to train smarter, recover better, and stay consistent even when life gets messy. The programme keeps evolving (new resources, updated frameworks, smarter tools), but what hasn’t changed is the level of care. The coaches are quick to respond, patient with questions, and genuinely invested in helping me succeed. It never feels “cookie-cutter.”
Three years later, I’m stronger, more resilient, and still excited for what’s ahead. If you’re looking for more than just workouts — but a system and a team that actually grows with you — this is it.
A Completed Path to Elite Performance
From the moment I downloaded Building the Elite, I could tell this wasn’t just another fitness app. It’s designed for people who want a serious, structured, and professional approach to building strength, endurance, and mental toughness.
The programming is evidence-based, with clear progressions, detailed explanations, and a perfect balance between physical training and mental skills development. I especially appreciate how it integrates strength, endurance, recovery, and mindset training all in one place.
The user interface is intuitive, the workouts are easy to follow, and the performance tracking keeps me motivated as I see measurable improvements week after week. What truly sets this app apart, though, is its focus on building elite habits and resilience, not just fitness numbers.
If you’re looking for a tool that blends science-backed training with practical application to help you perform at your best, Building the Elite is it. This app doesn’t just improve your workouts—it elevates your entire approach to training and personal growth.
Solid, balanced, adaptive program.
Really impressive balance of achievable programming, not lacking in variety and other administrative functions tailored to suit individual needs. Admins and trainers are responsive typically addressing queries inside a few hours. The on-demand section is also super useful for all the administrative aspects of the program, from nutrition to stretching.
Can't recommend it enough
I’ve been working with the team for several months now, getting ready for a tac team selection. The training is tailored to my needs. It’s very well researched and I already see great results. The BTE method works (if you put in the work that is) and got me confident to go through a selection when I’m over 40. The team is dedicated to their mission and works hard for us customers. Do it, you won’t regret.
Just do it.
If you’re on the fence, just do it. It feels strange at first to go back to basics but I can tell you with complete confidence and certainty that it will pay dividends as you work toward your goals.
I was a CrossFit/weightlifting athlete and assumed that I would have everything I needed to be successful. I was wrong, this is what I needed. Smart training, injury and pain free, more volume than I’ve ever done in my life and the mental skills are invaluable. You will succeed if you put in the work, it’s up to you if you really want this. If you do, set yourself up for success with BTE.
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Become more resilient and capable every month
If you do 90% of your workouts in the first 90 days, we guarantee you’ll improve all areas of your fitness or you will get all your money back. We know our program works & stand behind it.