I have been following TACFIT Commando, from the fence, for some time and have tried some of the exercises. They seem like a good fit for me and are quite challenging, and I think I am ready to purchase one program or the other (e.g [...]]]> QUESTION AND ANSWER:

Hi John,

I have been following TACFIT Commando, from the fence, for some time and have tried some of the exercises. They seem like a good fit for me and are quite challenging, and I think I am ready to purchase one program or the other (e.g TF Commando or the newer TF Warrior). I wondered if you would please comment on any differences. I am interested in some aspects of both programs. How are they different? My interest is for general fitness and martial arts. Appreciate whatever comments you can offer, and thanks for such extensive reviews.

Happy Holidays,

Mike

TACFIT Warrior VS TACFIT Commando

Hey Mike,

This is a great question and you’re not the first to ask, so I’m posting my response here. First things first… Here is the official answer from Scott Sonnon himself:

Question: What is the difference between TACFIT Commando and TACFIT Warrior?

Answer: “Commando and Warrior are parallel in intent for physique and performance goals: the fat melting, muscle chiseling virtues are equal. Warrior adds a mental component not present in Commando, and as a result includes unique “cross-brain” exercises to train hard AND smart.”

That’s an accurate summary, but it’s also pretty vague. Let’s dive into the nitty-gritty details. First, the similarities…

Both TACFIT Commando (TC) and TACFIT Warrior (TW) have a lot in common. They’re very similar programs when it comes to the actual physical work being performed. They’re both bodyweight-only exercise programs that utilize the tabata protocol (high intensity interval training) to squeeze in a complete workout in about 30 minutes. They both have activity-specific joint mobility warmups and Prasara yoga cooldowns. They also both follow the 4×7, 28-day periodization model, although each has some alternate options for training schedules.

The actual product materials are also very similar. With your purchase you receive: ebook manuals, training calendars, instructional videos, the TAC-FOOD diet manual, and some other bonuses. In TW, you get a follow-along video for each workout. In TC, follow-along videos are only included in the deluxe edition (more expensive version). One nice addition to the TW product are worksheets that you can use to track your progress (also included are some printable wall charts to display each workout). But like I said, you’re paying for very similar product features with either program – with two significant exceptions (in my opinion).

1) TACFIT Commando has 3X the amount of workouts than TACFIT Warrior (3 complete 28-day training cycles), but only 3 levels of movement sophistication (beginner, intermediate, advanced – aka recruit, grunt, commando). So, you’re getting 3 times as many workouts, but not as much versatility in exercise selection. TACFIT Warrior, on the other hand has less total workouts (1 complete 28-day training cycle), but it comes with 5 different levels of movement sophistication. Technically, you could perform an entire 28-day cycle for each level of difficulty, making TC have 9 total cycles included and TW having 5 total cycles. Although, people already in good shape or having prior conditioning experience (especially in CST or TACFIT programs) will find the lower levels too easy, which is why I might steer you to TACFIT Commando first (if this is your situation).

2) Both TC and TW are plug and play. You just follow the program. But one thing that TW includes that TC does not is a mental component built right into the videos and manuals (some bonuses are also included for teaching the mental side of training). The mental aspect of TW is a huge component, and makes this product quite unique from TC. This should definitely factor into your purchasing decision. You can learn more about the mental component in my TACFIT Warrior Review.

One last note: there is some overlap between each program. For example, while each workout is unique, many of the exercises are included in both programs (of course, some exercises are unique to each program, too). Also, there is some overlap in the TC and TW manuals – particularly in regard to how to apply the programs and in explaining the Circular Strength Training System behind them.

Summary

TC and TW are both very similar programs when it comes to the actual workouts you’ll be doing. Although, there are some key differences. TC has more total workout materials, and TW is a more holistic program with the inclusion of the mental component and some other new features. Both are excellent stand-alone products in-and-of-themselves, but certainly one of them will be more suitable for your situation.

If you were ONLY pursuing better health and fitness, then I would probably recommend TACFIT Commando right off the bat. However, you also mentioned martial art, which makes me wonder if you might be interested in the mental side of things, as many martial artists are. In the end, it’s really up to you – I can’t possibly make the decision for you. They’re both excellent programs and I’m sure you would get a lot of use out of either of them. I hope this clears up the confusion and offers you the help you needed to make the decision.

More Information About TACFIT Warrior

Click here to order TACFIT Warrior

Click here to read the TACFIT Warrior Review

Click here to see two different TACFIT Warrior Workouts

More Information About TACFIT Commando

Click here to order TACFIT Commando

Click here to read the TACFIT Commando Review

Click here to visit the official TACFIT Commando FAQ

Click here to see a TACFIT Commando Workout

For those who have experience with one or both programs, what do you think of the products, and what advice would you give to Mike? And of course, if you have any more questions, please let me know in the comments.

If you found this article helpful, please share it with your friends and tweeps:

Share Tweet

CST, CST-KS, NSCA-CPT
Fitness Professional

I’ve been talking about it since December, and now it’s finally here. [...]]]> Note: maybe you’ve already read my TACFIT Commando Review, and you’ve gotten most of your questions answered from yesterday’s Q+A with a hesitant buyer. This one last bit of info is about why I love this program and why you will, too.

I’ve been talking about it since December, and now it’s finally here. The buzz has all but worn off.

Yesterday, Scott Sonnon (the co-creator) told me that this is already the most successful product launch in the history of his company RMAX International – and that was only the first DAY of being released at the introductory sale price (of the 3-day launch sale). The response has been massive, and many of my readers have made a choice in the last 24 hours to take on the TACFIT Commando challenge. I truly think that this program will set a precedent for future bodyweight products, strength training products, and even just general fitness products. It’s that good.

I’m particularly excited about this program for several reasons…

5 Reasons Why You’ll Love TACFIT Commando

1) It’s based on the cutting-edge Circular Strength Training system - What others criticize as the “cool kids club of fitness,” or “a group of blind followers baited into hyped-up, ineffective training programs” I see as a collection of principles and methods that are universally accepted as valid training advice. CST is a framework that includes all the relevant tools and strategies for achieving physical goals. It is a SYSTEM that puts them all together with a health-first focus. When you boil CST down to it’s very essence and when you get rid of all the gossip-baggage associated with it, what remains is what every good coach agrees on that works for physical goals – the commonalities, not the differences. TACFIT Commando is based on this genius CST system and that’s exactly why it works so well.

2) It’s a cheaper, equipment-free version of the original TAC-FIT - One of my major reservations in recommending the original TACFIT program was that it required special equipment like parallettes, gymnastic rings, clubbells, etc. These are all great tools that I love using, but not everyone has access to them. TACFIT Commando requires ZERO equipment so your only investment is the product itself. Speaking of investments, this program is WAY cheaper than the original TACFIT – hundreds of dollars cheaper actually (even after the sale expires on Friday). At the 51% off sale price, you’re getting a ridiculous amount of material for a very low price. It’ll still be well-worth the full price when it nearly doubles on Saturday.

3) It’s a bodyweight program, and therefore hugely beneficial and practical to its end-users - I’ve covered the benefits of bodyweight exercise many times in the past. Let alone the practical benefits of not requiring much, if any, equipment – and therefore a gym membership, you can do it anytime, anywhere, and it doesn’t cost any money (unless you want to invest in specific tools like pullup bars or parallette’s, for instance.) But there’s also physiological benefits from training with bodyweight exercises.

You may have heard some strength coaches say that you shouldn’t lift weights until you can control your own bodyweight – that’s very good advice. World renowned coach, Alwyn Cosgrove is known for holding this mantra at his California facility, Results Fitness. Before you load your body with external forces, make sure you have adequate control of your own bodyweight. Bodyweight training develops inter-muscular coordination. That’s a fancy way of saying “being able to transfer force throughout your entire body.” It also serves as a foundation for good lifting skills (and swinging skills for you clubbell athletes).

4) It’s been created for the elite men and women whom we count on every day, but it’s still relevant to fitness trainee’s and weekend warriors alike – TACFIT Commando is cutting-edge. No if’s, and’s, or but’s! This is exactly what elite forces all around the world are using to train themselves for peak conditioning. Let me say that another way. The BEST of the BEST are using this program, so naturally, it must be outstanding. The great part is that it has scalability built-in to the program so anyone who is healthy enough to exercise can start it. You don’t have to be a Navy SEAL to start TACFIT Commando. It was created with the intention of being used by a broad range of people like you and I (see the Q+A post for more info specifically for beginners or deconditioned folks).

5) It’s going to slap CrossFit in the face - Pretty hard, too. You see, the TACFIT Commando protocol is based on the SAID Principle, which states that the body adapts specifically to the demands imposed upon it. SPECIFICALLY. There’s no such thing as general conditioning. If you still think it exists, I’m sorry to burst your bubble, but it doesn’t exist. That’s why TACFIT Commando was created very specifically for the needs of our servicemen. It’s not a general conditioning program at all. That’s not to say that people won’t use it to build muscle, burn fat, and build their conditioning levels with it (what we often equate with “general fitness goals”). What we must understand is that these things are by-products of training specifically for tactical fitness. They aren’t the end goal, but they are some of the results.

TACFIT Commando has a lot more over CrossFit besides that. And yes, I know – THEM’S FIGHTEN WERDS!!!

If you haven’t made up your mind about TACFIT Commando yet, then I hope this brought some light to the program. If you have more questions about it, feel free to comment in yesterday’s Q+A with a hesitant buyer, and you can also read my official TACFIT Commando review here.

For more information, or to purchase TACFIT Commando, please visit the official site here:

http://PhysicalLiving.com/TACFIT

To your health and success,

CST, CST-KS, NSCA-CPT
Fitness Professional

Hello John,

Thanks again for your responses to all my questions! I wonder if I could ask [...]]]> Note: I received some questions from a hesitant buyer about TACFIT Commando this morning. They graciously allowed me to republish my response here on my blog. Their name has been left out for anonymity sake.

QUESTION:

Hello John,

Thanks again for your responses to all my questions! I wonder if I could ask you a few more questions, this time about Tacfit Commando. One of the things that has impressed me so much about CST is its extensive vocabulary of bodyweight exercises. While many of these movements are not absolutely unique to CST, they are thoughtfully put together all in one place, with accompanying forms of joint mobility, compensation, etc. One of the challenges of being a newcomer to CST is sorting through all the different products, and trying to differentiate them from each other and determine their distinctive value. I am delving into Flowfit and Intuflow. I think I can already appreciate (and more importantly feel) their commonalities and differences. To me, being able to move in a sophisticated manner is much more compelling than increasing my bench press!

Tacfit Commando looks like a very interesting product. I tried the Israeli Challenge and truly enjoyed it, even if movements like the quad squat, springing tripods, and swinging planks were not entirely new to me (for example, they are all in Flowfit). The marketing of Commando, however, has me very wary. Frankly, I think it is packaged in a hokey manner that makes me feel like I’m being sold snake oil. This comment has nothing to do with the goal of training soldiers, the sincerity of Commando’s creators, etc. It is simply a comment on how
it is all packaged. I feel as though the approach can stand on its own without all that artifice (i.e. Intuflow has little artifice and amazing content), and the artifice makes me wonder about the value of its actual content!

I know you do not endorse products lightly. In fact, your endorsement is encouraging me to give Commando a chance. As there are pros and cons to any approach, I wonder if you could suggest some of the weaknesses in Commando. What kinds of athletic goals and plans would it not be particularly well suited for? Could you give me a sense of how it differs from products like BER? Can it be incorporated with other forms of resistance or endurance training? Is there a substantially new vocabulary of movement in Commando as opposed to
what has come before?

I’m not expecting you to say anything negative about your colleagues, or put you in a bind, but I thought it might be helpful to get feedback from one person who thinks the packaging is a real turn off (i.e. Sonnon’s statement that the enemy is not honorable enough to do the workout- I mean c’mon…). I will probably end up purchasing Commando before the initial deal expires, but hoped your feedback could help me make an informed decision.

Many Thanks,
Anonymous

ANSWER:

You’re very welcome. I’d be happy to assist you in your buying decision. Times are rough and money is tight, so I want to make sure you don’t feel like you’re getting scammed into something that isn’t right for you.

I hear you on the marketing, but as I said in my email newsletter… If you take away all the marketing, all the shiny signs and fancy sales copy, and leave ONLY the program, I think it stands alone as an excellent product, which is why I gave it an endorsement. If I were in charge of releasing it, I’m sure I probably would have done it a little differently, but let’s get to your questions.

you wrote:
What kinds of athletic goals and plans would it not be particularly well suited for?

TACFIT Commando was created specifically for tactical fitness, but it can be used for a variety of training goals such as fat loss, muscle building, general strength and conditioning, among others.

Where it would be least appropriate is as a strength and condtioning program for a very focused athletic activity. Some athletes would benefit directly from the TACFIT Commando program – martial artists, MMA fighters, etc. Other athletes, like soccer or tennis players, for instance, would experience benefits, yes, but not specific to their sport. In these cases of competitive athletes with very specific needs, I would generally recommend against it – there are wiser ways to spend your money.

But if you’re not a competitive athlete and you’re looking for a fun way (fun for you maybe – not everyone will be into the “tactical” nature of TACFIT) to get in great shape, then TACFIT would be appropriate.

you wrote:
Could you give me a sense of how it differs from products like BER?

The formatting is basically the same. It’s downloadable in digital form – ebooks and videos that you will store on your hard drive.

The actual program itself shares a lot of similarities with other CST bodyweight programs like the Bodyweight Exercise Revolution, which was created by Ryan Murdock and Adam Steer. TACFIT Commando could be considered an upgraded training program from BER, it’s more advanced and contains new material.

You’ll find with all CST programs that there is overlap. For instance, practically every bodyweight CST product that I own contains instructions about the spinal rock exercise. It’s a great exercise and it’s great to get perspective on how it can be used for different purposes, but it’s true that some of what you pay for is rehashed material. In TACFIT Commando’s case, it’s the collection of the materials and the SYSTEM that is most valuable. The system is nearly identical to that of the original TACFIT program, and differs a little bit from other CST programs.

One way to look at it is that TACFIT is an outgrowth of Circular Strength Training (the parent system for which all RMAX products are created). TACFIT Commando is then an outgrowth of the original TACFIT. So, there will naturally be overlap in materials, but it’s been organized for a very specific purpose.

you wrote:
Can it be incorporated with other forms of resistance or endurance training?

Absolutely yes. It comes with a stock program that can be followed verbatim, but there’s no reason it needs to be. You can supplement TACFIT Commando sessions for your regular strength training, cardio, or strength endurance work. There are many different ways to do it.

you wrote:
Is there a substantially new vocabulary of movement in Commando as opposed to what has come before?

Yes – much of it has been seen before (ie in Scott’s training videos), but never in a RMAX product – that is, it’s never been taught before. And some of it has never been seen before and will be truly unique to TACFIT Commando.

Given the discussion we had before, I think it would be a great fit for your situation, but perhaps used as a supplement to your current training program rather than the only program you follow. The main advantage is that it’s comprehensive, and at the sale price it’s probably the most CST material you can buy for that price.

Let me know if you have any more questions, I’d be happy to help.

*Update: Read the official review here:

The Complete TACFIT Commando Review

Pick up your copy of TACFIT Commando here:

http://PhysicalLiving.com/TACFIT

To your health and success,

CST, CST-KS, NSCA-CPT
Fitness Professional