Mud Run Training

If you enjoy “getting muddy” and want to prepare yourself properly for mud run events such as Warrior Dash, Rugged Maniac, Savage Race, Swamp Dash & Bash and the grueling Tough Mudder, we have the perfect solution. Our Mud Run Training classes are designed to improve mobility, strengthen your entire body, boost performance and reduce the risk of injury.

You will NEVER run longer than a 100-yard sprint or short shuttle run to help prepare your body for a mud run event. Why? Because you need to be fit to run, NOT run to get fit! You need total-body strength, conditioning, explosiveness and power. If you spend most of your time running and not enough time strengthening your body, you will have a hard time with the obstacles. We’ve figured out the best way to train for these events to build the strength and conditioning you need to dominate mud run events without causing overuse injuries due to excessive running and improper training (read more about this in our FAQ section below).

If you want the necessary mobility, strength, conditioning, speed and explosiveness to dominate a mud run competition without wasting your time running, this class is for you!

The 55-minute Mud Run Training class includes a 20-minute high-priority tissue quality, flexibility, mobility/activation and core circuit to best prepare you for the workout. The main training session includes an intense and fast-paced 20-30 minute high-intensity total-body metabolic strength, speed, conditioning and endurance circuit that provides total-body strengthening and conditioning needed for mud run events. The class ends with a 5-minute high-priority tissue quality circuit.

Due to the small group format, each class is limited to 15 members and pre-registration is required.

The Mud Run Training class is a stand-alone class. This means that you can take this class even if you’re not a member of Underground Fitness Revolution and just want to train for these types of mud run events. You can also take these Mud Run Training classes 2x/Week as your main training sessions each week to develop strength, speed, explosiveness, power, conditioning and fat loss since it is offered on a month-to-month basis at an affordable rate (perfect for those of you on a budget and able to make two sessions each week).

Here’s some more info:

Mud Run Training Class Rates:

- $99/month-to-month (+ tax) – Special Introductory Rate!

- This includes two sessions per week (Tues and Thurs) for six total sessions per month following our three weeks on, one-week off calendar schedule. ALL sessions must be used within the month. Unused sessions DO NOT carry over to the next month.

- The Mud Run Training Class is monthly (no minimum commitment or membership length required). Join any time and cancel any time!

Also, here are a few incentives to join the new Mud Run Training Class (tell others that you think may be interested in this class):

Mud Run Training Class Incentive and Information:

- Meets Tuesday and Thursday at 6pm

- Get one month free if you sign up two friends (plus the friends get half off – only $50 for their first month!)

- Get a special Mud Run Training T-shirt for being a member of this class!

- Cost: $99/month (+ tax) – Special Introductory Rate!

Monthly Mud Run Training Classes:
– Available January – April and August – November – By Appointment Only –
Tuesday & Thursday – 6:00 pm

Contact Us Today to Join Our Mud Run Training Class!

Nate Trenteseaux

Located in the Rolling Oaks Plaza

15202 NW 147th Drive, Suite 800

Alachua, FL 32615

352.682.3310

nate@undergroundfitnessrevolution.com

 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):

1.) Why do you have a specific program for mud run training?

I was recently asked to contribute to a Men’s Health article on Tough Mudder/Mud Run training. Contributing to this article may open other doors for national and local attention for specific mud run training and Underground Fitness Revolution as a provider of that type of training.

As you may know, I spent the past six months training for the Tough Mudder (along with 12 of our members) as well as a few other mud run events leading up to Tough Mudder. I am continuing to train myself and our members for upcoming mud run events, and I want to offer opportunities to train more people for these events. Because of this, we now offer Mud Run Training classes.

These new classes provide more specific mud run training. This means more rope jumping, GPP, sprinting, shuttles, sled dragging, Prowler pushes, sandbags, battling ropes, kettlebells and other equipment and exercises that have the most carryover to the conditioning and strength needed for these events.

2.) Since mud run events take place at certain times of the year (fall and spring), will these classes run year round? Is it necessary to train all year for a mud run event? 

Great questions!

The Mud Run Training classes will NOT run year round because these events are seasonal. It is not necessary to train specifically for mud run events year round as our high-intensity total-body metabolic resistance training classes provide the overall strength and conditioning needed to build muscle, boost metabolism, burn fat and maintain (and increase) conditioning.

The goal of the Mud Run Training classes is to provide specific skill and conditioning training that has the most carry over to these events. Just like an athlete trains specifically for their sport for several months prior to the season, this class is set up the same way. I’ve found that 3-4 months or 12-16 weeks of consistent skill and conditioning training is enough for these events. For those in very good shape and experience with mud run events, I recommend a minimum of 2-3 months or 6-8 weeks of specific training to prepare for mud run competitions. Because these events are seasonal and specific, year round training is not necessary. The Mud Run Training classes will be available during the following months:

- January

- February

- March

- April

- August

- September

- October

- November

This means there will be no Mud Run Training classes during the months of May, June, July and December.

The above schedule provides enough specific training for events that run in the fall (Gator Mud Run, Swamp Dash & Bash, Tough Mudder, etc.) and in the spring (Rugged Maniac, Savage Race, Warrior Dash, Metro Dash, Swamp Bash & Dash, etc.).

Because the training sessions are month-to-month, sessions can be taken when needed depending on the events you are participating in and how much specific skill and conditioning training you want and need to best prepare you for these mud run events. You may attend on a month-to-month basis, a couple months at a time, or all available months.

3.) Why do you say that you don’t need to waste your time running for these events when running is required? Why do you always say, “Get fit to run, don’t run to get fit?”

I have found that it is not necessary to run on a regular basis to prepare for these events. As I’ve said many times before, “get fit to run, don’t run to get fit!” The reason I don’t recommend running is because it is very hard on the body. Each step is the equivalent of 2-4 times the body’s weight in force applied to the foot, ankle, leg and joints. This is a plyometric movement and is very hard on the body especially if you are not yet fit to run.

A one-mile run is approximately 1,500 steps (or 1,500 repetitions). That means each leg is performing about 750 steps (or repetitions). If I took an overweight or out-of-shape client and told them to hop on each leg 750 times, you would think I’m crazy. But that’s exactly what you’re doing when you run. And the amount of force applied to the body is dangerous and can cause numerous foot, ankle, knee, hip and lower back issues. If I can have someone perform various exercises that require far less repetitions but provide the same benefits as running, I’m going to choose the safer option.

A University of Southern Maine study found that a single set of a weight-training exercise torches as many calories as running at a 6-minute-mile pace for the same amount of time. So for every second you spend lifting weights, your body is expending high amounts of energy.

There’s also the metabolism boost of weight training. Resistance training has a much larger metabolic impact than long-distance running does. Plus, your body is being given a stimulus to gain strength and build new lean tissue. One last efficiency benefit: Lifting weights through a full range of motion can improve your flexibility as well or even better than static stretching does, according to a University of North Dakota study.

Other recent research studies have confirmed that resistance training burns more calories, provides more benefits and puts less stress on the body than running.

Does this mean I’m anti-running? No, not entirely. To build the speed, explosiveness, power and conditioning for mud run events, I recommend sprints, shuttle runs and high-intensity total-body metabolic resistance training. Sprints and shuttles cover far less distance and put less stress on the body than running. High-intensity total-body metabolic resistance training provides the necessary strength, muscle, flexibility, mobility, conditioning, speed, power and explosiveness needed for these events.

Should you run to prepare for mud run events if you don’t normally run? I believe some running will be beneficial for those preparing for these events if they have never run before or if they are training for a longer event such as Tough Mudder. Remember, running is a skill. So you should condition your body to be able to handle the forces generated by running. But this should only take place AFTER you have developed the strength and conditioning necessary to safely run (remember: get fit to run, don’t run to get fit).

Also, you do not have to run often or for long distances to prepare for these events. If you’re running a 3 or 4-mile race, I would recommend focusing on sprints and short runs (1 mile) where you focus on speed. Once you’re competing in mud run events that are more than 4 miles, you may need some longer runs to help condition your feet, ankles, shins, knees, hips and back. But again, you can and should develop the strength and conditioning needed through your training – not from running. The biggest mistake I’ve seen from people competing in mud run events is a focus on running and not enough time spent on strength, speed, conditioning, explosiveness and power.

4.) If I know someone that is not a member of Underground Fitness Revolution but is training for mud run events, can they join the Mud Run Training Classes?

Yes!

This class is suited for members and non-members alike. You DO NOT have to be a member of Underground Fitness Revolution to take these mud run training classes. If you want to best prepare yourself for these events, these classes are a perfect compliment to whatever training you may be doing now (at the gym, with another trainer, or at home on your own).

The cost for non-members to attend is $99/month with no minimum commitment. This provides two sessions each week (Tues and Thurs at 6pm) for six total sessions each month following our 3 weeks on, 1 week off calendar schedule.

5.) If I’m already a member of Underground Fitness Revolution and do not plan on competing in these mud run events, is there a reason I should take these classes?

That depends.

If you participate in other sports or recreational activities (soccer, ultimate Frisbee, softball, flag football, etc.), these classes will provide the conditioning, speed, explosiveness, power and strength you need for your sport.

If you don’t participate in other sports or recreational activities, these classes will help accelerate your fat loss while improving your conditioning at the same time. Although the training sessions for the Mud Run Training classes provide some specific skill training for mud run events, the sessions also provide general fat loss and conditioning even if you don’t compete in these events.

6.) What is so different about the Mud Run Training Classes compared to the regular High-Intensity Total-Body Metabolic Resistance Training sessions and memberships?

Good question!

Our High-Intensity Total-Body Metabolic Resistance Training sessions are our core group coaching and fitness training classes. These sessions are designed for busy people that want results with only three 45-minute sessions each week. The goal of these classes is to provide a total-body workout that will help you build muscle, increase your strength, boost your metabolism, burn fat, increase your conditioning, prevent injury and increase your confidence and self esteem. These sessions use a variety of tools to accomplish the job including dumbbells, kettlebells, medicine balls, sandbags, Valslides, Rip-Core, TRX suspension trainers, etc. These tools allow us to focus on total-body strength and fat loss. For the majority of people whose goal is to lose weight, look better, feel better and get a nice toned body, these classes provide everything they need.

The Mud Run Training classes are also total-body workouts that focus on building the conditioning, speed, explosiveness, power and strength necessary for mud run events. Although these classes have many similarities to the High-Intensity Total-Body Metabolic Resistance Training sessions, the main difference is the focus on mud run skills and conditioning as well as the types of equipment and intervals used during the sessions that have the most carryover to mud run events.

The Mud Run Training classes also run during specific times of the year and not year round like our High-Intensity Total-Body Metabolic Resistance Training sessions. The Mud Run Training classes are more high-intensity “cardio” or interval type training using tools such as sandbags, kettlebells, battling ropes, sleds, Prowler pushes, sprints, shuttles, rope jumping and explosive body-weight exercises (burpees, squat jumps, lunge jumps, ply push-ups, etc.). The goal is to provide the conditioning needed to run 3-12 miles while tackling a variety of obstacles that require a mix of upper and lower body mobility, strength, speed, explosiveness and power.