WILDLAND FIREFIGHTER PHYSICAL PREP & MAINTENANCE PROGRAM
STRENGTH & POWER
Relative strength and power are two of the most important physical traits every wildland firefighter must possess. We focus on developing strength that can be applied in real-world scenarios, such as carrying heavy and awkward loads, generating rotational power, and upper body strength to manipulate chainsaws and other equipment in the field.
MOVEMENT & ATHLETICISM
To perform at their best, wildland firefighters must be able to move well under load for hours on end, day after day, in full kit. This is also essential to reducing injury risk and having a long and successful career.
CONDITIONING
The ability to move overland at a good clip and immediately start working is essential for high operational efficiency. Being aerobically fit increases efficiency, so you have more left in the tank when you need to work fast and allows you to make better decisions under stress. We develop this capacity through targeted conditioning work to keep you fit and able to perform at your best in the field.
PROGRAM DURATION
Preparing for a career as a wildland firefighter is challenging. Most departments seek those who excel, not just meet minimum standards. With an intelligent preparation process, it can be a manageable challenge that sets you up for a rewarding career.
Our program has no set length because it's highly adaptable and specific to the individual. Whatever your timeline to get in shape for fire season, we can accommodate it, but we suggest dedicating at least 6 months. Depending on your current fitness baseline, you may need more or less time.
If you're already working as a firefighter, we offer flexible programming to keep you fit and healthy throughout your career. We can customize days per week, training emphasis, and mix of workout types (strength vs. conditioning) and pause the program while you're in the field. This includes the ability to chase secondary goals such as gaining strength, improving athleticism, putting on some muscle, or improving conditioning, all while staying well-rounded and healthy.
THE PILLARS OF TRAINING
Training includes conditioning, strength work, calisthenics, athletic development, and everything else you'll need to be physically prepared to pass your mandatory PT tests and excel in the field. 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 the physical, emotional, and cognitive challenges, as well as the social aspects, of a firefighting career. 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 WILDLAND FIREFIGHTER PREP / MAINTENANCE PROGRAMS ARE DELIVERED THROUGH THE:
TRAINING ALSO INCLUDES
Become a rucking machine: Learn how to stay healthy as you build volume and become a rucking machine.
Crush your PT tests: Dial in your pacing, nutrition, hydration, foot-care, and other strategies to easily crush your PT tests.
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
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
So much more than a workout program
I’ve done several different “tactical” programs. BTE is my favorite. I can only speak to the selection prep, but the whole experience is excellent. Not only is the programming well thought out and surprisingly individualized, but the mental skills development is extremely helpful. I’ve found myself applying some of the methods outside of the day to day training. Additionally, their running form course and nutrition resources have helped me out a lot. Big thumbs up from me.
Excellent program.
I am highly satisfied with the training program so far.
The app and programming are detailed and thorough but not unnecessarily complicated. The accompanying videos and tips for each exercise are helpful. The coaches have been diligent in responding to my questions and providing feedback. I know the “why” behind each exercise and each session I’m tasked with – a credit to these chaps’ professionalism and care in arming you with information and their wealth of knowledge. It’s also been flexible for life things which have popped up.
The on-demand extra content including nutrition and mental skills are also excellent.
These lads make it easy to put your trust in them for your time and energy’s investment into your training.
Best-in-class programming and coaching
I’ve been training with BTE for about a year. They’ve helped me improve my overall fitness and resilience, but the part I’ve been most impressed with is the emphasis on mental skills as part of the training process. This is where I’ve seen the most benefit in my work, school, and in life.
App Built For You And Your Life
I work two jobs and didn’t think I’d have time or energy to train. The app took the planning, tracking, and organizing out of my hands and let me focus solely on training. The coaches work with you and you can move around your own schedule, that way you are able to train at your convenience. My strong areas were maintained and my weak areas exploded in progress. Amazing app and coaches
Fantastic, focused training.
The coaches listen and construct really effective programming around your needs. Their response time is perfect and the app is easy to use! Highly highly recommend, feeling in good hands for selection pathway.
Preparedness through Education
Utilizing BTE for a LE focused SOG selection course has opened my eyes to how training is supposed to be conducted. Not only have I grown physically but mentally as well. These lessons leave me feeling prepared for any possible challenge. And physical performance skyrocketed. I constantly use their mental tools and breath work in my role on a regional SWAT team. Cannot recommend enough.
Extremely Impressed with the Program
I’m not training for SOF selection but I’m finding this program extremely valuable in maintaining my physical relevancy in the last quarter of my military career. At 40 I incorrectly assumed my physical peak was long behind me. Nine months into this program I’m absolutely shattering my lifetime PRs across the board, and keeping up with guys in my unit that are 15 years younger. Stay consistent and trust the process.
Extremely knowledgeable and intelligent programming
The BTE app and training program ticks all the boxes. The team at BTE are extremely knowledgeable and have not left any stone unturned.
A comprehensive approach to overall wellbeing
To sum up, I have been using BTE from november 2023 and I am very pleased with the results and the support from the BTE crew.
First of all, BTE is not only about physical capabilities, it incorporates all aspects to become a capable human being and meet the standards throughout. This means your body, mental state, thought process, interacting with peers, leadership capabilities to name the few.
Secondly, BTE trainers are definitely professionals. They modulate the training blocks so that your weaknesses are directly adressed. Your strengths and weaknesses are assessed periodically and systematically so that every training block has as much positive effects as possible. I very much appreciate that the training is diverse so that I cant stay in the comfort zone for too much. The crew is very helpful and always available through in-app messages.
Lastly, BTE and the community will provide you the tools. The tools are no BS, top notch and ready to be used. But only you can use them. If you have the discipline, you will see the results very soon.
Awesome App with Personalized Training
When I first started this app, I was a little surprised, as I was not sure what I was expecting. Then, all of a sudden, I’m interacting with multiple coaches, who were spending a significant amount of time listening to my goals and devising a plan to reach them. The app was great, and the coaching was even better! If you’re looking at personalized training for SOF or SWAT selection, I would definitely recommend it!
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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.