OVERVIEW
The Roller Derby Pre-Season Training Plan is a 6-week, 5-day-per-week training cycle designed to prepare athletes for the physical demands of roller derby. This program develops strength, speed, chassis integrity, and conditioning through a structured, multi-modal approach that progresses in intensity over time. The goal is to build the physical qualities that directly transfer to skating harder, recovering faster between jams, and staying durable across an entire bout.
FITNESS ATTRIBUTES
Lower Body Strength & Lactate Tolerance
This plan will be utilizing a leg blaster progression. Leg blasters combine lunges, squats, jumping lunges, and jumping squats to build muscular endurance and improve lactate tolerance in the legs—critical for repeated sprint efforts and bracing under contact. This progression builds skating-specific stamina and the ability to recover quickly between high-effort efforts.
Maximal Strength – Hinge Lift Density Progression
This plan also features a hinge-lift density strength cycle to increase max-effort strength through time-based progression. Athletes complete multiple rounds of heavy hinge lifts every 90 seconds using 80–90% of their tested 1RM.
Upper Body Hypertrophy & Durability
Upper body work in the plan follows a progressive volume model to build size, strength, and muscular endurance.
- Weeks 1–2: 5 rounds of 8 reps
- Weeks 3–4: 4 rounds of 12 reps
- Weeks 5–6: 3 rounds of 15 reps
Exercises such as bench press, barbell rows, Arnold press, and renegade rows target pressing, pulling, and shoulder girdle strength—enhancing both bracing ability and durability during collisions and falls.
Chassis Integrity / Core Strength
This plan uses Chassis Integrity grinds to develop functional, roller derby-transferable core strength. Each session is structured as a 20-minute grind of continuous movement focused on:
- Anti-Rotation
- Rotational Work
- Lower Back
- Total-Body Extension
Chassis integrity sessions reinforce midline strength, positional stability, and movement control—key for absorbing hits, initiating power on skates, and staying durable throughout a bout.
Speed & Conditioning
The plan includes two types of speed-specific efforts:
- Jingle Jangles – Short, sharp sprints with increasing work-to-rest ratios each week (e.g., 15/30 to 25/30) to develop repeated burst capability.
- Skater Hops – Lateral plyometric drills progressed from 30/30s to 45/30s to mimic skating stride patterns and reactive direction changes.
Each speed session pairs with short, game-like conditioning efforts that replicate the stop-and-go tempo of a jam—training the energy systems and mental focus required to excel on the track.
WEEKLY TRAINING SCHEDULE
- Monday: Strength – Upper Body Hypertrophy + Lower Body Strength
- Tuesday: Speed Intervals (Jingle Jangles), Conditioning + 20-min Chassis Integrity Grind
- Wednesday: Recovery Run (60 minutes, easy pace)
- Thursday: Strength – Upper Body Hypertrophy + Lower Body Strength
- Friday: Speed Intervals (Skater Hops), Conditioning + 20-min Chassis Integrity Grind
REQUIRED EQUIPMENT
Fully equipped weight room including racks, barbells, plates, dumbbells and/or kettlebells, pull up bar. 40/60 pound sandbag.
COMMON QUESTIONS
What if I miss a day?
Begin where you left off when you return to training. This program is progressed – each session builds upon the prior session – so don’t skip a session or skip around. Follow the training sessions in order, regardless.
How long does a training session take?
Sessions are designed to last 60 – 75 minutes
Where do I find unfamiliar exercises?
See our Exercise Library HERE. The Run/Ruck Calculator is listed as an exercise.
What about nutrition?
See our Nutritional Guidelines HERE.
Can I print out sessions to take to the gym?
Yes – you can print a week of programming at a time.
More Questions? Email: coach@mtntactical.com
DISCLAIMER
Before beginning any exercise program, consult with your physician to ensure that you are in proper health. Physical training contains inherent risks including, but not limited to, muscle strains, tears, physical and bodily injury up to and including death. This training program is not meant to provide medical advice; you should obtain medical advice from your private health care practitioner. If you are unable to assume these risks then you should not engage in this training program. No liability is assumed by Mountain Tactical Institute, Inc, its owners or employees, and you train at your own risk. Mountain Tactical Institute makes no warranty, express or implied, of any kind in connection with this training program.
Fully equipped weight room including racks, barbells, plates, dumbbells and/or kettlebells, pull up bar. 40/60 pound sandbag.
SESSION 1 – MONDAY
OBJ: Hinge Lift Assessment 1, Strength
Warm Up
3 Rounds:
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8x Hinge Lift – increase weight every round to warm up
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10x Push Ups
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Instep Stretch
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Lat + Pec Stretch
Training
Hinge Lift 1RM
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Work up to 1RM Hinge Lift
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Add 10–30# to your finishing warm-up load → 5 reps
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Add 10–30# → 3 reps
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Add 5–30# → 1 rep
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Continue adding and doing singles until reaching 1RM
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Aim to hit 1RM by your 4th or 5th single
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RECORD 1RM HINGE LIFT RESULT
5 Rounds:
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8x Bench Press – increase load each round until 8 reps is hard but doable (target HBD load by Round 3)
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8x Barbell Bent Over Row – same progression as above
10 Rounds:
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Mini Leg Blaster
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Rest 30 Seconds
1 Round:
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Foam Roll Complex
SESSION 2 – TUESDAY
OBJ: Work Capacity, Chassis Integrity
Warm Up
4 Rounds:
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5x Walking Lunges
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10x Push Ups
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Instep Stretch
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Lat + Pec Stretch
Training
20 Rounds:
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15 Second Jingle Jangles
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30 Second Rest
20 Minute Grind:
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5x Standing Russian Twist – 15/25#
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5x Sandbag Good Mornings – 40/60# (increase to 60/80# if possible)
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60s Sandbag Zercher Carry – 40/60# (increase to 60/80# if possible, switch shoulders every round)
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Grind = work steadily, not frantically. Pace yourself, no unnecessary rest.
2 Rounds:
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Hip Flexor Stretch
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Instep Stretch
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Pigeon Stretch
SESSION 3 – WEDNESDAY
OBJ: Recovery Run
Training
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Run 60 Minutes – Easy Pace
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“Easy” = Able to speak in full sentences during effort
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SESSION 4 – THURSDAY
OBJ: Strength
Warm Up
3 Rounds:
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8x Hinge Lift – increase weight every round to warm up
-
10x Push Ups
-
Instep Stretch
-
Lat + Pec Stretch
Training
5 Rounds – Every 90 Seconds:
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4x Hinge Lift @ 80% of 1RM
5 Rounds:
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8x Arnold Press – increase load each round until 8 reps is hard but doable (target HBD load by Round 3)
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8x Renegade Rows – same progression as above
10 Rounds:
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Mini Leg Blaster
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Rest 30 Seconds
1 Round:
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Foam Roll Complex
SESSION 5 – FRIDAY
OBJ: Work Capacity, Chassis Integrity
Warm Up
4 Rounds:
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5x Walking Lunges
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10x Push Ups
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Instep Stretch
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Lat + Pec Stretch
Training
20 Rounds:
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30 Second Skater Hop
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30 Second Rest
20 Minute Grind:
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5x 1-Sided Dead Lift – 55/70#
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5x Kneeling Plate Half Moon – 25/35#
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60s Sandbag Shoulder Carry – 40/60# (increase to 60/80# if possible, switch shoulders every round)
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5x Sandbag Clean + Press – 40/60# (increase to 60/80# if possible)
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Grind = work steadily, not frantically. Pace yourself, no unnecessary rest.
2 Rounds:
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Hip Flexor Stretch
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Instep Stretch
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Pigeon Stretch
COMMON QUESTIONS:
Do you have any reviews or testimonials from athletes who have used your Athlete's Subscription
Yes. Click HERE.
Is it true you guarantee your stuff works?
Yes. If you purchase an Athletes’ Subscription, follow the training sessions as prescribed, and are not satisfied with the quality of the programming, notify us within 30 days of purchase, and we’ll refund your money, no questions asked.
How is MTI programming different than CrossFit?
This is a common question. Read our answer HERE.
You have a lot of competitors. Why should I choose MTI?
MTI is driven to improve mountain and tactical athletes' mission performance and keep them safe. This emphasis and focus on mission performance sets us apart. Read about more that sets us apart HERE.
If I purchase a plan or subscription, how do I access the programming?
All of our plans are online, accessible via username and password.
You can log in through our →Website or Mobile App →IOS and Android.
Do you have downloadable .pdf's of the training plans?
No. But you can print the programming, by week, from your browser. You access individual training plans online via a username and password.
Do you have a mobile app?
Yes, we do. Available for IOS and Android.
What is the difference between purchasing an individual training plan, packet of plans or an Athlete's Subscription?
- Plan - Like purchasing the DVD of the first Star Wars movie. You own it forever, including any updates we make to the plan.
- Packet - Like purchasing the DVD's of all the Star Wars movies. You own them forever, including any updates we make to the plans.
- Athlete's Subscription - Like subscribing to Netflix. You get access to all 200+ plan in our library, but lose access if you unsubscribe.
If I purchase an Athletes Subscription Can I cancel on my own, anytime?
Yes.
Do I have to contact MTI to cancel or can I do it myself?
You can do it yourself. Instructions HERE.
If I purchase a subscription and have questions about where to start or what plans(s) to use for my goals, will you help?
Yes. We answer dozens of training questions from athletes weekly. Email coach@mtntactical.com.
If you add new plans or update existing plans after I subscribe will I have access to them?
Yes. We are continuously adding training plans and packets (2-5/month) and updating plans. With your subscription you'll have access to all new plans, new courses and plan updates.
What Equipment is Required?
Click the "Required Equipment" tab to find out what equipment is required for the specific plan you are interested in.
Where do I find unfamiliar exercises?
See our Exercise Library HERE. The Run and Ruck Calculators are listed as exercises.
What about nutrition?
See our Nutritional Guidelines HERE.
Can I see sample training?
Click the “Sample Training” tab to see the entire first week of programming. You are encouraged to do it before purchasing.
What if I have more questions?
Email rob@mtntactical.com