JTF2 SELECTION PREP PROGRAM
BUILD THE FOUNDATION
The first step is building the baseline physical capacities for more advanced and targeted PFSE and selection-specific training. This phase emphasizes building a sizable aerobic engine (via running & rucking), relative strength, confidence & competence in the water, and the work capacity to tolerate large training loads. We also emphasize how you do everything - perfecting your running and rucking technique, as well as all basic strength movements. The quality and depth of your foundation sets the platform for the rest of your work-up.
PFSE PREP
Once you can easily hit the physical standards in general domains, it's time to translate that fitness to more specific outputs to prepare you for the PFSE. The 2.4 km run and calisthenics assessments (push-ups, pull-ups, sit-ups) are the most common failure points. So, we emphasize translating your running abilities into crushing that event. However, we do so while continuing to develop the broader capacities needed for the entire selection, such as longer-duration runs and high-volume beatdowns.
SELECTION PREP
Once you have smoked your PFSE & submitted your packet, we shift the emphasis of training to improving running endurance & speed, weighted carries, high-rep calisthenic beatdowns, swimming, and water confidence. We also emphasize movement work and taking care of your body. Your training volume at this stage is very high and will have been for quite some time. Injuries are common in selection, so the more time you invest in taking care of yourself during this phase, the less likely you are to become a med drop or get performance dropped in the course due to an injury.
DELOAD & PEAKING
One of the biggest mistakes you could make is showing up to selection beat up and with residual fatigue. By tapering volume and strategically integrating high-intensity sessions over the final 4-6 weeks, you'll show up to selection, peaking physically while also feeling fresh. We've sent hundreds of clients to the SOF selection courses and have mastered this process.
PROGRAM DURATION
JTF2 selection is not a tryout. It’s a job interview where you demonstrate that you’ve been preparing for this role for a long time because it’s important to you and you’re a professional. Our successful JTF2 clients typically spend at least a year preparing for selection and, in some cases, over two years.
By doing so, they’re never concerned about passing the minimum standards. Instead, they’re concerned with setting new personal records or hitting excellent performances near the top of the class.
Our program has no set length because it's highly adaptable and specific to the individual. Whatever your timeline for selection, we can accommodate it, but we suggest dedicating at least 12 months, especially if you'll have deployments, trainings, or other interruptions in your work-up.
THE 3 PILLARS OF TRAINING
Training includes running, rucking, strength work, calisthenics, swimming, and everything else you'll need to be physically prepared for selection. 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. This isn't a static program. Each year, we prepare people for JTF2 Selection and adapt our program based on their feedback. We know the specific physical demands and where you must be in all fitness domains to excel and get selected.
The limiting factor for most individuals in a selection program is their mind, not their body. To ensure you have the mental skills you'll need to navigate the physical challenges, extreme pain & fatigue, and cognitive and social aspects of selection, we have an 18-month mental skill progression. 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 so you're ready when you show up to selection.
Selection screens for more than just physically fit bodies and capable minds. You need the ability to apply these in situations devoid of predictability and control, with no positive feedback for days and weeks on end. This breaks most people and separates those who will succeed from those going home. Once you have the baseline physical and mental skills, we utilize specific training methodologies to mimic the more insidious aspects of selection and help you build the robust skills necessary to navigate these situations.
IF YOU WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT PREPARING FOR JTF2 SELECTION, CHECK OUT THE IN-DEPTH ARTICLE LINKED BELOW.
OUR JTF2 SELECTION PREP 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 account for a 25% difference in your running speed. That means your 5:00 min/km pace can drop to a 3:45 min/km pace with changes to your technique. Our running skills course is baked into every training program, guaranteeing you'll not only become fitter but also 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.
Become a rucking machine: Learn how to stay healthy as you build volume and become a rucking machine.
Crush your weighted overland movements: Dial in your pacing, nutrition, hydration, foot care, and other strategies to crush your timed events and never fall out on forced marches.
Access to all our SOF prep tools & resources: Get instant access to everything you need to know about heat acclimation, memory & cognition exercises, leadership skills, hydration, electrolyte management, snacking/nutrition considerations, & land navigation. Use these along with access to our extremely skilled and experienced coaching staff to answer all your questions.
FAQ
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 Basic 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
Focused training
I came to BTE after completing selection for my agencies ERT. It has helped me continue to hit benchmarks and perform through the next phases of training. The adaptability of their program means you are getting a product tailored to you, your goals, and your weaknesses instead of a generic training plan. The team is incredibly responsive and does a great job of keeping you engaged. On top of that you get access to tons of extra content to support your training at an incredible value.
Never Too Late
I’m a 40y/o pilot in the SOF community and this program has far and away exceeded my expectations. While I’m not training for selection, I’ve been consistent with this program for the last 15 months and I can categorically say that I’m in the best shape of my life. The mental skills development aspect is extraordinarily helpful and the workout programming is tailored to your specific exact needs and goals. The coaching support is top-notch and responsive. This is the fitness program I’ve ever done and it’s not even close. Trust the process and stick with it. I promise you that BTE will help you achieve your goals.
Holistic and Effective
Their coaching has been invaluable to not only planning effective PT that helps me improve my greatest limiting physical factors, but also my mental ones. Their daily/weekly notes usually challenge me to think about how I approach PT (and life) in much more resilient and adaptive ways.
Best Performance Training Program
This is by far the best training program I’ve run for increasing performance across all domains. Coaches are extremely responsive and willing to answer any questions you may have. They genuinely care about your progress and celebrate wins while helping you through setbacks. Can’t recommend enough.
Exactly what I needed
This program helped me build the belief I could become an operator. I rarely deal with injuries or nagging pains and I’ve made a significant amount of progress.
Well Worth the Investment
After first hearing about the BTE programs on social media, I decided to give it a try after seeing a colleague successfully complete a demanding military course after using the program. Since starting, BTE has improved not only my fitness, but also key areas like nutrition, sleep, mental resilience, and overall movement mechanics – I’ve never felt or performed better.
I’m extremely happy with the results, and the value far exceeds the cost of the program.
50 years old and 5 years with BTE!
Started with BTE back in 2021 at 45 yrs old and I’m probably in some of the best life condition yet. Whether it’s physical, mental, nutrition, or just feeling good as I move as an older adult BTE has laid the path for me to follow.
Always accessible, always constructive, and always leaning forward into the art and science of getting the best out of their clients. So effective my son has enrolled as well as he prepares for SFAS and is hitting all benchmarks.
Extremely affordable based on your goals and where money goes. I have never regretted any money I have invested in BTE as the returns I’ve received from following their path have been life changing.
Great product, even better guys!
Unmatched training
This is a training app, yeah, the programs/coaching are unmatched, for sure, but it’ll end up influencing much more than just your deadlift or your run time. The amount of genuine care and effort is evident in every detail. There are continuous updates and additional programs that are essential for not only someone on a selection pipeline, but the average civilian. I came across BTE at a low point in my life and training has always been a means of pulling myself through – but I’ve never had a program link mental and emotional skills within a program. Committing fully to the BTE programming not only improved all aspects of my physical training, but my mental – it helped rebuild my entire foundation stronger and my capacity well deeper. The content on this app is incredibly useful, and their text book is a must read. 11/10 would recommend.
Best Programming Bar None
I have been an app customer for over a year now, and I continue to see gains across the board. BTE has kept me consistent with flexibility of schedule, super responsive coaches, and a wealth of information provided within the app. For the first time in my professional life, I’m not burdened by overuse injuries, yet maintaining higher output week in/week out. There’s simply nothing that compares, and I’ve tried it all over my career.
Shifting paradigms- training, mentality, practice
Initially coming onto BTE programming, was half expecting to be smashed from the get-go, like other programs I have used previously.
That’s not a dump btw, just an experience up until BTE.
For a heap of candidates, I’m sure that process has worked.
However, this program is really about addressing everything from the foundations up.
Building the Elite is not just a name, it’s a mission statement. Adhering to the program (or in some cases, not) has really shifted my internal paradigm around training, mentality, and putting it all into practice.
Being on this programming has shifted my mindset, and is really making me consider, and actively implement in all aspects of life, as opposed to ‘just’ training/ prepping for SOF, as if it’s totally separate to life outside of SOF, eg family/ work/ conflicting schedules, etc.
The team is professional, and have created an app/ program/ community, that reflects this.
Good, real feedback, good comms, well built app, that can be customized on the fly, if needed.
Regular check ins, and speedy response times really help keep accountability.
If you’re looking for something built for the long game of life, highly recommend checking this out.
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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.