This is a 4-week, 5 day/week training plan is specifically designed to prepare firemen and women to compete in the LLS Firefighter Stairclimb Competition held in March every year in Seattle. The LLS Firefighter Stairclimb Competition is the largest on-air fireman stairclimb in the world. Click HERE for more on this event.
The LLS Fireman Stairclimb Competition is held at the Columbia Center in Downtown Seattle and includes 788 feet of vertical elevation and 1,356 steps. This plan is designed to be completed the 4 weeks directly before the LLS competition. As designed, you’ll get two full days rest between the completion of this training plan and the competition.
This is the version 1 of this plan, updated October 2024.
Step Up and Assesment Focused
You’ll complete a full, 1,356 step up assessment at 8″ step every week during this training plan, ideally in full bunker gear and on air. In addtion, you’ll complete a push up and pull up assessments, and complete a progression base on your push up and pull up results. Finally, you’ll train your core via MTI’s Chassis Integrity programming.
This 4-Week Training Plan includes a taper week – so after completion you can role right into your event-specific training plan.
Overall, this plan has a significant step up focus, and you’ll be doing loaded step ups 3 days/week.
Schedule:
- Monday – LLS FIrefighter Competition Assessment
- Tuesday – Upper Body Strength, Work Capacity, Chassis Integrity
- Wednesday – Step Up Intervals
- Thursday – Upper Body Strength, Work Capacity, Chassis Integrity
- Friday – Step Up Intervals
- Saturday – Total Rest
- Sunday – Total Rest or Competion (Week 4)
COMMON QUESTIONS
How Long do the Sessions Last?
45-60 Minutes
What if I miss a day?
If it’s just one day, skip it and stay on schedule. If you miss several days, follow the programming in order when you return and skip ahead to week 4 in the plan the week directly before the competition.
Where do I find unfamiliar exercises?
See our Exercise Library HERE. The Run Calculator is listed as an exercise.
Why are there two numbers listed for the exercises with assigned loads?
The lower weight is the prescribed weight for women, and the higher is for men, for example, Barbell Complex @ 45/65# means women use 45# and men use 65#.
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.
How do I access the plan? Pdf? Online?
Plan access is online, via username and password.
Do you have an App?
Yes.
Can I print out sessions to take to the gym?
Yes – you can print a week of programming at a time.
What about nutrition?
See our Nutritional Guidelines HERE. During runs which take more than 2 hours, supplement with gels or similar.
More Questions?
Email coach@mtntactical.com
– Rob Shaul
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.
This is a limited equipment program. Below is the required equipment:
- Bench or step for step ups (8")
- Bunker Gear or Backpack with 45# of filler,
- Stop watch
- SCBA and SCBA Mask
- Sandbag (40# pound for women, 60# for men).
SESSION 1 - MONDAY
Objective: LLS Fireman Stairclimb Assessment No.1
Warm Up:
- No Warm Up - Go Right Into the Assessment
Training:
- LLS Stairclimb Assessment
- 1,356 Step Ups for Time - 8" Step
Uniform Options:
- Bunker Gear including helmet, boots, and SCBA. On air if possible.
- T-Shirt, Shorts, 45# Pack, SCBA Mask, fire boots
Max Effort. Record Finish Time.
If on air, complete the 1,356 step ups even if air runs out.
2 Rounds:
- Hip Flexor Stretch
- Pigeon Stretch
SESSION 2 - TUESDAY
Objective: Strength Assessment No.1, Chassis Integrity, Work Capacity
Warm Up:
3 Rounds:
- 5x In-Place Lunges
- 5x Hand Release Push Ups
- 1x Pull Up
- Instep Stretch
- Lat + Pec Stretch
Training:
- Push Up Assessment
- Max Hand Release Push Ups - 2-Minute Time Limit
- You can stop and rest in the down position if needed - but keep working for the full 2 minutes.
- RECORD MAX HAND RELEASE PUSH UP REPS
Rest 3-5 Minutes
- Pull Up Assessment
- Max Rep Pull Ups
- No time limit and you can stop and rest in the dead hang position if needed - but keep both hands on the pull up bar and don’t touch your feet to the ground/bench.
- If you can’t do a single pull up, switch to horizontal pull ups and do a max rep test.
- RECORD MAX REP PULL UPS
- Max Rep Pull Ups
- 3 Round Grind:
- 30% Hand Release Push Ups
- 30% Pull Ups
- Run 200m - Down 100m, Back 100m
- Grind = work steadily, not frantically, through this circuit for the prescribed rounds or time. Pace yourself, but don’t stop to rest.
- 10 Minute Grind
- 3x Sandbag Getup - 40/60#. Alternate shoulders each round.
- 6x Sandbag Good Mornings - 40/60#
- 5x EOs
Grind = work steadily, not frantically, through this circuit for the prescribed rounds or time. Pace yourself, but don’t stop to rest.
SESSION 3 - WEDNESDAY
Objective: Step Up Intervals
Warm Up:
3 Rounds:
- 10x Squats
- 6x Hand Release Push Ups
- 10x Step Ups - 8" Box
- Instep Stretch
- Lat + Pec Stretch
Training:
2 Rounds, Every 15 Minutes:
- 45x Step Ups - 8" Step
Uniform: T-Shirt, Shorts, 45# Pack, SCBA Mask, fire boots
Max Effort each round. Faster you finish, the more rest you get before the next round begins.
2 Rounds:
- HUG - Hip Mobility Drill
SESSION 4 - THURSDAY
Objective: Strength, Chassis Integrity
Warm Up:
3 Rounds:
- 5x Walking Lunges
- 5x Hand Release Push Ups
- 1x Pull Up
- Instep Stretch
- Lat + Pec Stretch
Training:
6 Round Grind:
- 30% Hand Release Push Ups
- 30% Pull Ups
- Run 200m - Down 100m, Back 100m
Grind = work steadily, not frantically, through this circuit for the prescribed rounds or time. Pace yourself, but don’t stop to rest.
10 Minute Grind:
- 3x Sandbag Getup - 40/60#. Alternate shoulders each round.
- 3x Sandbag Cross Clean - 40/60#
- 3x Side Plank Raises
Grind = work steadily, not frantically, through this circuit for the prescribed rounds or time. Pace yourself, but don’t stop to rest.
SESSION 5 - FRIDAY
Objective: Step Up Intervals
Warm Up:
3 Rounds:
- 10x Squats
- 6x Hand Release Push Ups
- 10x Step Ups - 8" Box
- Instep Stretch
- Lat + Pec Stretch
Training:
2 Rounds, Every 15 Minutes:
- 45x Step Ups - 8" Step
Uniform: T-Shirt, Shorts, 45# Pack, SCBA Mask, fire boots
Max Effort each round. Faster you finish, the more rest you get before the next round begins.
2 Rounds:
- HAM - Hip Mobility Drill
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