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Class Fitness Pre-Requisites for MVT Classes

We are bringing in fitness pre-requisites for MVT classes. We are nailing down the details over at the forum but I will detail here pretty much what it is going to be. These standards will not apply to those who are already booked on classes in October and November 2017, but they will apply to classes starting in 2018. This is simply because they were not published when those currently on classes made their bookings. However: more fitness is good!

Why? Two main reasons:

  1. The fitness pre-requisites are designed to ensure a basic level of cardiovascular fitness and endurance and also the ability to safely get up and down from kneeling positions. This is essential to safety on class: the ability to get up and down from kneeling without waving, or muzzling others with, the rifle. A lack of fitness (or being ‘gassed’/ exhausted) leads to a lack of concentration which in turn can leads to safety issues.
  2. Many MVT classes are light infantry tactical classes and require a basic level of physical ability. We are not looking for IronMan athletes, but on the other hand it appears that some students make no effort at physical conditioning and are kidding themselves. This also leads to a less then optimal learning experience, both for that student and for their range buddies. You will get more of your monies worth if you make an effort at a minimum level of physical conditioning.

On the other hand, many people do not even know what a minimum level of physical conditioning is. So we are going to spell it out, and require self-certification prior to attending class.

We will distinguish between flat range classes only (Flat Range Standard) , and those that move off the flat range (Tactical Range Standard). Flat range only classes include Defensive Concealed Handgun and Combat Rifle Skills. Those that move off the flat range include Combat Team Tactics, Combat Patrol / Direct Action, Close Quarter Battle Course, Force on Force Team Tactics.

In addition to these basic standards, we will also develop and offer a competitive MVT Combat Fitness Test via the MVT Forum. We already run (free) Fitness Challenge events on the Forum, and the plan will be to run these twice a year, developing and including an MVT Fitness test.

Tactical Range Standard

2 Mile Event:

The 2 Mile Event will be a 2 mile course on flat or gently rolling terrain, on track or road. It will be completed in 30 minutes or under carrying a 25 lb load. This is a standard 15 minute mile pace.

Notes:

  1. This will be conducted by students and self-certified within one (1) month of the class start date.
  2. The 25 lb load can be carried in any form. It can be  a pack, ruck, load bearing equipment, plate carrier or any combination.
  3. Carrying a rifle is not necessary.
  4. the 25 lb weight is dry weight and does not include any carried food or water. 25 lb will be the weight at end of the 2 miles.
  5. This test will not be conducted at class, due to time limitations and the fact that the VTC terrain is more challenging.  This will be self-certified by students in an amendment to the current information packets which are sent out prior to class.
  6. MVT reserves the right to remove a student from training if it is felt they are physically unable to perform at class  leading to safety concerns.
  7. Athletes will be able to self-certify an event or standard that is considered an equivalent or greater level of physical conditioning – but you must check with MVT in advance by email.

Alternate Forward Lunges:

Immediately on completion of the 2 Mile Event, students will complete a series of alternate forward lunges for 2 minutes, carrying the 25 lb load. The minimum standard is 30 lunges in 2 minutes.

Notes:

  1. You can search ‘alternate front lunges’ on YouTube to see this exercise.
  2. The starting and finishing position for each lunge is stood upright, feet slightly apart, hands behind head fingers interlocked.
  3. The hands on head position is a specific MVT requirement for this exercise, designed to mimic the muscle / balance requirements when kneeing down on the ranges holding your rifle in a safe direction. Hands remain on head throughout the performance of the exercise.
  4. On each lunge, touch the knee of the rear leg to the ground, alternating legs on each lunge.
  5. Do not put the knee of the lunging (forward) leg over the toes of the forward foot. This is good form.
  6. Count each repetition when returning to the standing position. Thus it is 15 lunges on each leg, alternating, 30 total.

MVT reserves the right to ask for this test to be conducted at class, wearing the equipment worn at class, if there are any doubts as to the ability of the individual to move safely around the ranges.

Students with medical issues must obtain clearance from a relevant medical professional prior to conducting any of these exercises or tests.

Flat Range Standard

Alternate Forward Lunges:

This is the same exercise as above, but without the 25 lb load. Students should conduct this wearing the equipment, or weight equivalent, of the equipment that they are planning on wearing at class. For CRS, this should be a minimum of 4 x loaded magazines. At flat range classes, there is still the requirement to get into kneeling and prone firing positions, and recover and move safely.

These standards will be published and linked off the relevant class pages. The class paperwork will be amended to include a self-certification section.

If anyone has general questions, or is interested in the MVT Tactical Fitness test, they can be raised on the MVT Forum. For specific questions, or questions about injury, disability or equivalent events, email MVT (maxvelocitytactical@gmail.com).