Dark Horse Athlete

Law Enforcement, Tactical, First Responders, Functional Fitness
Coach
Justin Biays

Features
1 sessions per week
Must use App app to view and log training
Program Training
benefit-image-0
Time-Efficient Workouts
Each session is only 60-75 minutes long, including warm-ups and cooldowns, making it easy to fit into your busy schedule while ensuring maximum training effectiveness.
benefit-image-1
Progressive 16-Week Structure
The program’s four phases systematically develop strength, power, endurance, and tactical readiness, ensuring balanced and sustainable improvement.
benefit-image-2
Injury Prevention Focus
Includes mobility work, balanced strength development, and recovery strategies to minimize overtraining and reduce the risk of injuries.
benefit-image-3
Build Maximum Strength and Power
Focused strength and power phases progressively enhance your ability to generate force and explosiveness for peak physical performance.
benefit-image-4
Elite Tactical Conditioning
Conditioning sessions target aerobic and anaerobic capacity, preparing you for real-world tactical demands with efficient and effective workouts.
Features
feature-icon
Programming 5 days per week
Daily strength, conditioning, and skill training that’s accessible and challenging for athletes of any level or background
feature-icon
Exercise Video Guidance
Instructional videos to guide your practice and make execution easy
feature-icon
Delivered through TrainHeroic
sample week banner image
phoneMockup
Sample Week
Week 1 of 16-week program
Sunday
Baseline Day 1

Circuit

A

RAMP Warm up Protocol: Raise: 2 minutes of light cardio (e.g., rower or jump rope) -then- 30 seconds each: high knees, butt kicks, and jumping jacks Activate: 2 sets Glute Bridge march: x 10 rep/legs Band Pull-Aparts: x 12 reps Banded monster walk x10 reps per direction Mobilize: 2 sets Lateral leg swings x8/side forward leg swings x8/side Thoracic Spine Rotation x5 per side Potentiate: 2 sets Rest 30 seconds between sets Bodyweight Squats x 3 reps, slow down, fast up Push-Ups: x 3 reps , slow down, fast up Jump squat x3 plyo push up x3

B

Front Squat

C

Bench Press

D

Deadlift

E

Strict Bodyweight Pull-Up

Circuit

F

In this section, you'll determine your strength score, an essential metric that indicates your strength level compared to other tactical athletes. While it may not directly measure job performance, having a high strength score is certainly an advantage. Follow these steps to calculate your score: Add together your 1-rep maxes (1RMs) for the bench press, front squat, and deadlift, and write down this total. Multiply the number of strict pull-ups you achieved by 10% of your body weight, and record this result. Add the two results together and divide by your body weight to get your strength score. Use the following scale to interpret your score: Poor strength levels: Men = 5, Women = 2.75 Good strength levels: Men = 5.75, Women = 3.5 Excellent strength levels: Men = 6.5+, Women = 4.25+

Circuit

G

Foam Rolling: -Foam roll Quadriceps (1-2 minute) -Hamstring Smash (1-2 minute) -Glute smash (1-2 minute) -foam roll Upper Back/Shoulders (1 minute) Static Stretching: -Couch stretch + reach and rotation (30 seconds per leg) -Sciatic nerve flossing (30 seconds per leg) -Cat cow (1 minute total) -Childs pose (1 minute total)

Monday
Baseline Day 2

Circuit

A

RAMP Warm up Protocol: Raise: 2 minutes of light cardio (e.g., rower or jump rope) -then- 30 seconds each: high knees, butt kicks, and jumping jacks Activate: 2 sets Glute Bridge march: x 10 rep/legs Band Pull-Aparts: x 12 reps Scapular pull up x10 reps Scapular push up x15 Mobilize: 2 sets Lateral leg swings x8/side forward leg swings x8/side Thoracic Spine Rotation x5 per side Potentiate: 2 sets Rest 30 seconds between sets Bodyweight Squats x 3 reps, slow down, fast up Push-Ups: x 3 reps , slow down, fast up Jump squat x3 plyo push up x3

B

Push-Up

1 x 2:00

C

Plank

Circuit

D

Load= Wear duty vest and gear or a 20 pound weight vest. Protocol: 1. Do 3 minutes 25 meter shuttle sprints for max reps. Athlete must start in prone position and also drop down to the prone position every 25 meter length. 2. Rest 1 minute. 3. Repeat for three sets Score= total reps. Standards for Law Enforcement: Poor= less than 46 reps Good= 46-55 Reps Excellent= 56+ Reps

Circuit

E

Foam Rolling: -Foam roll Quadriceps (1-2 minute) -Hamstring Smash (1-2 minute) -Pec Smash (1-2 minutes) Static Stretching: -Couch stretch + reach and rotation (30 seconds per leg) -Sciatic nerve flossing (30 seconds per leg) -Cat cow (1 minute total) -Prone scorpion (1 minute total, 30 seconds per side)

Tuesday
Baseline Day 3 

Circuit

A

RAMP Warm up Protocol: Raise: 2 minutes of light cardio (e.g., rower or jump rope) -then- 30 seconds each: high knees, butt kicks, and jumping jacks Activate: 2 sets Banded good morning: x 20 reps Band Pull-Aparts: x 12 reps Forward walking lunge x10 reps Reverse walking lunge x10 Mobilize: 2 sets Lateral leg swings x8/side forward leg swings x8/side Thoracic Spine Rotation x5 per side Potentiate: Build up Sprints: 20 meter sprint x3 sets Each set start at 70% effort and build to 90-95% speed over the course of 20 meters Rest 1:30 between sets

B

Run

1 x 1.5

Circuit

C

5 Rounds for Time: 10 Burpees. 10 Sandbag over shoulder 10 DB box step up Sandbag Weights: Beginner: 50–75 lbs. Intermediate: 75–100 lbs. Advanced: 100–125 lbs. Dumbbell Weights: Beginner: 15–20 lbs per dumbbell. Intermediate: 25–35 lbs per dumbbell. Advanced: 40–50 lbs per dumbbell. Step Height: 16–20 inches.

Circuit

D

Foam Rolling: -TFL Smash (1-2 min) -Hamstring Smash (1-2 minute) -Glute Smash (1-2 minutes) Static Stretching: -Down Dog + Cobra (20 reps) -90/90 stretch (1 minute total) -Cat cow (1 minute total) -Pigeon stretch (1 minute per side)

Wednesday
ACTIVE RECOVERY

Circuit

A

Active Recovery 30-45 minutes of light walking, cycling, or swimming at an easy pace

Circuit

B

20-30 minutes of targeted mobility work focusing on hips, shoulders, and ankles. Use foam rolling, static stretching, and band work MyoFasical Release: *spend 2 minutes on each muscle group -Glute Smash -TFL Smash -Foam roll lats -calf smash -Lax Ball in foot Activation: 2-3 sets -clam shells x10/side -banded shoulder external rotation x12/side -Toe walk x25 yards -heel walks x25 yards Stretch: 2 sets -Couch stretch + Reach and rotation x30-60 sec/side -Childs pose x1-2 minutes -Tibialis Anterior stretch x30 sec/side -Pigeon stretch x30 sec/side

Thursday
Baseline Day 5 

Circuit

A

RAMP Warm up Protocol: Raise: 2 minutes of light cardio (e.g., rower or jump rope) -then- 30 seconds each: high knees, butt kicks, and jumping jacks Activate: 2 sets Monster walks: x 10 each direction Lateral lunge: x 8 per side banded face pulls x15 reps Lateral speed skaters x4 per side Mobilize: 2 sets Lateral leg swings x8/side forward leg swings x8/side Thoracic Spine Rotation x5 per side Potentiate: 2-3 sets Rest 30 seconds between sets 25 meter farmers carry #50% of body weight per hand Broad jump x2

B

DB Farmer's Walk

C

5-10-5 Agility Test

3 x 1

Circuit

D

Foam Rolling: -Foam roll lats (1-2 min) -Foam roll upper back (1-2 minute) -Trap Smash Smash (1-2 minutes) Static Stretching: -Child pose (1 minute) -Kneeling forearm stretch (1 minute) -Cat cow (1 minute total) -Couch stretch + Reach and rotation (1 minute per side)

Friday
REST DAY
Saturday
REST DAY
FAQs
How long are the daily sessions?
Each session lasts 60-75 minutes, including a 10-12 minute warm-up and a 5-8 minute cooldown. This ensures you can train effectively while balancing a busy schedule.
Can this program prevent injuries?
no program can guarantee this, but this program includes mobility work, balanced strength development, and recovery-focused strategies designed to reduce overtraining and minimize the risk of injuries.
What results can I expect?
You’ll see measurable improvements in strength, power, conditioning, and tactical readiness. The program is designed to optimize your performance while preparing you for testing or real-world physical demands.
Who is this program designed for?
This program is specifically designed for police officers and tactical athletes looking to improve strength, power, endurance, and readiness for demanding physical tasks. It’s suitable for novice-to-intermediate athletes with 1-2 years of consistent training experience.
TACTICAL ATHLETE: LAW ENFORCEMENT