
Tacfit Commando review
An unbiased review of Scott Sonnons Tacfit Programme.
I often get asked by trainees at Krav Maga Bristol about the latest training package or programme to be marketed. One such package is Scott Sonnons’ ‘Tacfit Commando’.
As I get older I value anything focusing on joint mobility and athletic longevity. So, in spite of a healthy skepticism about anything using the term ‘special forces” I dismissed the marketing and took the plunge. As a professional trainer – it’s got to be worth a shot.
Tacfit Commando in a Nut shell
Downloadable work outs (with variations) with pdf manual and diet.
How much and what’s included.
$99 USD or £65 GBP. That’s around $40 cheaper than P90 X and comparable with various fitness programmes available from Amazon. Tacfit Commando is a series of downloadable videos an eBooks and e calendars. The whole package makes a 90 day package iand delivers 3 progressive levels of training via a series of “Missions” (work outs). There are no physical package or goods.
How does the programme work…
The programme is broken down into 4 phases.
1. No intensity Day – (joint mobilisation only)
2. Low Intensity Day – (joint mobilisation and Prasara Yoga exercises)
3. Moderate Intensity Day – ( the low intensity day with the Tacfit work out at moderate intensity)
4. High Intensity day – – ( the low intensity day plus the same Tacfit work out at high intensity)
In summary, that’s 2 days active recovery and 2 days bodyweight metabolic conditioning using the Tabatta protocol (that’s 20 seconds effort – 10 seconds rest and repeat 8 times).
The Workout
These are clearly explained, and simple to follow. Read the manual (it’s pretty detailed explaining training rationale and programme structure). Watch the Instructional video, and follow along with the work out.
Whilst it is simple to do the workouts, simple and easy are not the same thing ;-).
Workout outline
Each ‘Mission’ has a mobilisation based warm up and cool down with the meat of the session being a core of 6 movements, each repeated for 20 seconds with a rest period and then done again for 8 cycles. Allow around 30 minutes for the workout. The missions feature some clever programming, really cool moves and a great backing track.
VERDICT
Firstly, I really liked the programme.
It’s unique. Importantly, focusing on real world movements stressing lateral and rotational movement as well as more conventional movements. This is great for people like me with an interest or job teaching/training in martial arts.
This is also quite important as it will help address many of the imbalances and aches and pains experienced by your typical European. This is multi planar work out stressing ‘complex’ movement patterns and this is a good thing as and is not simply another rehash of push/pull cardio movements.
I also like the incorporation of different intensities in training with a strong foundation of mobilisation in work outs. Great job on that part Mr Sonnon.
The programme contains lots of pushing and rotation but no pulling movements at all. This is a significant omission but in fairness it is an equipment free bodyweight only programme – so we’ll let that slide.
The downside for me is the marketing. This wont be good preparation for entering the military. Given the militaries focus on endurance, load carrying and conventional calisthenic exercises, you’d be better using the pre selection training materials the military offer. You can usually get a comprehensive preparation programme geared specifically for their requirements for online and FREE.
The overhyped “special forces’ marketing gets in the way of what is essentially a really smart programme. I think this is an intelligent and truly unique programme that has clearly been well thought out. But the stress on all things military undermines a quality programme with cliched marketing that takes away from what is in effect some very smart programming. A lot of professional trainers I have spoken with use Scotts stuff but wont attribute it due to the overhyped marketing and not wanting to be associated with it – interesting…
Would I buy it?
Bottom line – would I spend my own hard earned cash? Yes.
Was it worth it? Yes.
Why?
I loved the programming, the exercises and the emphasise on active recovery – in fact so much I ran the sessions in my own conditioning class. I loved the drama of the backing track – it was great and the evoloutions were great – highly recommended. Shame about the cheesy advertising though….
Scotts site is here if you want to take a look
P90X – try amazon
Crossfit – is appropriate for Military fitness and assessments.
TRX
Military – with TRX and Military programme – £149 if you shop around
Paul Grey
Paul Grey is a certified Personal trainer, Crossfit trainer and MMA conditioning coach.