Tactical Athlete Training Systems, Inc. had the opportunity to raise “the bar” at the 2007 Annual SHOT Show in Orlando, FL last month. SHOT is an acronym for shooting, hunting and outdoor trade – not to be confused with the SHOT DVD I produced (Superior High Output Training). This is a huge event. Imagine 656,100 square feet of exhibit space, 19,990 exhibiting personnel, 20,390 buyers, 1,342 members of the press and 494 guests – a total of 42,216 people under one roof. Our booth was in the “law enforcement/military section” on the very far end of the building. Some of our “neighbors” were 5.11 Tactical, Black Heart International, Original SWAT, Zistos, and a German boot company whose name totally escapes me . . .
Our well-known “Tactical Athlete Pull-Up Challenge TM ” (formerly called the “88 lb. Pull-up Challenge TM ” attracted and challenged many. 90 men took the 90-pound pull-up challenge, but only nine succeeded. Out of the nine winners, at least six of them were CrossFitters, who regularly incorporate a wide variety of pull-ups into their training and dominate most pull-up contests. Equally impressive, two very strong ladies effortlessly cleared their chins over the bar while a 36 pound kettlebell dangled from their waistline. These men and women are, indeed, functionally and tactically fit! I wish I had time to take pictures of all the winners, but our new “camera man” (my son, Michael) was at home and in couldn’t get off school. Next year, we hope to photograph all the winners with their chins clearing the bar!
If you are thinking, “I could never perform a weighted pull-up – let alone a body- weight pull-up!” . . . think again. I have taught countless men, women, and teenagers how to go from “not-even-close-to-a-pull-up!” to body-weight pull-ups in as little as one training session. Most master body-weight pull-ups within a month and are ready to start adding weight. As stated many times by many trainers, “The difference is in the details!” While the majority of contesters at the SHOT Show did not meet the requirements of the “Tactical Athlete Pull-Up Challenge”, many walked away with new techniques and training tips to employ. After hearing about my history of shoulder surgeries and dislocations and how I rehabilitated them, many saw hope and determined to make improving their pulling strength a personal pursuit for 2007!
Well, how about you? Have you committed to make pull-up strength a priority? In case you need a little encouragement or enticement, here are the rules of the “Tactical Athlete Pull-Up Challenge TM “:
For men, the criterion is :
- Hang a 90-pound Pack Weight from a belt cinched around your waist.
- Use an overhand, thumb-less grip; palms face away.
- From a “dead hang”, perform one pull-up
- Finish with chin clearing OVER the bar.
For women: the rules are the same, but a 36-pound kettlebell is hung from the belt.
Sounds simple, and it can be – with proper progressions and training! Learn more about pull-ups by reading other articles on our website or viewing our T.A.P.S. DVD or iPod.
Several of you are already convinced of the need and committed to train, but are in need of a good pull-up bar. Our new, improved “2007 T.A.P.S. TM ” units are available exclusively through www.tacticalathlete.com . A few proprietary design changes to the original T.A.P.S. design yield an even stronger and more rugged, yet lighter, unit. Its functions are far superior to ordinary pull-up bars, and its commercial-strength durability is ideal for those who train hard. These features, and that fact that it is assembles/disassembles quicker and with even greater ease than the original model, make the new “2007 T.A.P.S. TM ” even more appealing to those who train as teams or on the move.
Our new manufacturer, Legend Fitness, has plenty of units IN-stock and ready to ship. With Legend Fitness, we have implemented improved quality control checks, a more expedient shipping arrangement, and a plan to keep the stock full. More details regarding new shipping options, model description, accessory packages, etc. are available on the “Equipment” page under “Store”.
To all my old friends in the tactical community, who stopped by the Tactical Athlete booth at the SHOT Show to say hello – it was great seeing you and catching up! To the new friends I have met, let’s keep in touch. To all the valiant warriors who are presently serving abroad, may God continue to bless and protect you as you diligently serve and protect us . Your sacrifice and service is greatly appreciated!
Keep fighting the good fight,
Jeff Martone