I get this question all the time — what do I need to do to get to BUDS in the next year?
If it were me training — knowing what I know now. Having gone through BUDS twice — I would do this.
1. Baseline test monthly
2. Do every GORUCK, Spartan Race, SEALFIT 20X Challenge and long trail run race within 100 miles.
3. Find a local group and train (i trained in a local bodybuilding gym — don’t laugh – i made a mistake the first time — and then opened my freakin’ eyes and made HUGE changes with my workouts).
4. Build up to doing 1 hour of hard grinder PT. Think Mr. T in his closet doing pull-ups. If your not covered in sweat and wishing you were dead – then it is not hard.
5. Carry a heavy ruck until the straps wore off and there were scars on my back.
6. Find an old tire and pull that thing till it fell it apart. Pull it forwards, backwards and side ways. Add weight. Do the same with a sand bag — wear it out.
6. Ride my bike long distance and trail run long distance — and row long distance. If you have a mtn bike — get off the trails and carry your bike through crazy terrain.
Read books about warriors like Adam Brown in Fearless: The Undaunted Courage and Ultimate Sacrifice of Navy SEAL Team SIX Operator Adam Brown
This freakin’ works. I know as I have been there and know what it takes. I would bet a months paycheck on it. You can chase all day looking for magic potions and secret insider workout systems – if you want — I am just layin’ it all out there – a simple system – take from it what you will.
And I would encourage my son to use the same ideas. There is no fluff — it is just hard f&*$ work.
There are no special workouts — hidden ninja secrets. It is just sweat covering your whole body. A little bit of blood and a lot of sacrifice.
Simple concepts like “Train with those better than you (look back at #3.)
Your going to have to get up early and stay at the gym late. Probably walk home in the dark.
Give up friends that are bringing you down — They suck anyway.
But in the end you will change your life for the better.
And that is what we are really here to do — CHANGE YOUR LIFE FOR THE BETTER!!
I can hear you know… but Coach.. WTF — I aint going to BUDS — I am just trying to drop 20 lbs and get in better shape for the local GORUCK event.
Do the same — just tailor it for your needs. (Email me with any questions — as I try to answer all emails).
Notice that I put my cell # down below — text me… serious.
If you do these things — you will be durable, ready for the long endurance haul — anything at anytime.
Gotta run — taking Hannah out on a mtn bike ride this afternoon.
P.S. Check out our friends at STRENGTHCRATE — they are going to help us with a prize for next months fitness challenge with a killa prize.
Use this — STRENGTHCRATE Promo Code PTSTRONG15. This is our 5% off (recurring discount) for all of our service members and first responders.
If you do sign up with them — send me an email and I will send you a free audio of your choice (anything on our list).
Brad McLeod
www.sealgrinderpt.com
404-906-0726 cell
Great stuff! Thanks for all you do coach.
I have a question for the 1 hr smash- mouth grinder PT. For that 1hr is it just focusing on one workout like pushups or is it a whole body workout?
check out this grinder PT:
http://sealgrinderpt.com/navy-seal-workout/sealgrinderpt-9-6-11.html/
Hello, what was the training / style that made you fail the first time vs, the second? What were the differences in your training regime the second time around, what did you change ?
I trained in a bodybuilding gym doing isolated exercises. I failed out of BUDS due to failure on a math test.
why did you fail the test, how did you go about it differently in BUD/s academically? Im in college currently, what do you recommend taking or doing to prepare for the academics in BUD/s? thank you
I failed the test because I was tired and should have studied more before I went to BUDS. No excuses – I passed the second time around.
*Differently the second time academically
Thanks. I love your punch em in the face no fluff advice.
Brad,
Any suggestions for the tire workouts: distances, times, number of reps, etc.? Do you recommend pulling by hand with a rope, or wearing a harness? I assume you mean a tractor tire. Also, do you recommend tire flips?
here are some tips: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K5mHphp4BG8
Brad, how often should I be running?
I would run twice a week — 3x at tops. Every fourth week take a few days off.
What sort of distance should I build up to? Also, do interval days with running in the WODs help with distance endurance?
if you are going to buds — read the article above as i talk about having a 14 mile sand run under your belt before you go to Coronado.
Hey brad, wanted to get a few questions from you. I wanted to join a cross fit club to help me get in shape. They focus on running but not a lot of long distance. How often should you run so you’re still giving your body a chance to recover? I also wanted to take total water immersion which is focused on being more efficient I’m the water but it costs $450, do you think it would be worth it?
when i trained for BUDS the second time (smarter) I tried to rest twice a week. So i would run 2x a week, bike once a week and bodyweight PT five times a week.
What would you think would be a well planned workout for the week? In other words how should my week look like to prepare for buds? Thanks
I would do grinder PT 3x a week.
ruck 1x or 2x
swim 2x
rest 1 day at least.
How did you approach the swimming part, I’m really athletic but that has me a little nervous
go to the pool and get in it and start to swim. Each time you go swim a little bit further. Do you have friends that swim? Take them with you.
Would you do anything differently for SWCC selection than you would do for BUD/S?
I would train similar to BUDS so you will be ready for anything at anytime.
Brad,
I have been doing mostly a lot of body weight workouts, to include crossfit. I have just got out of the Air Force last year, served 13 years. I have always wanted to go further and always wanted to join the SEALs. Taken a while to learn that about me, lol. But anyways, I still have a lot of self motivation to go further, and I’m thinking of talking to the Navy here soon. I’m in goood condition, but still working on some flaws here and there. I’m a little more mature in age than most when they would join, but I know I can go thru. Anything you can suggest or give advice on as for mental toughness and more physical training?
I would first look at what is your weakness in the PST and then train hard to build up all parts of the PST to get a contract.
Then I would do a GORUCK challenge and Heavy. As many Spartan Races and Tough Mudders and Bone Frogs. I would go and do SEALFIT 20X and Kokoro events as a building block to get ready.