U.S. Special Forces Workout

Exercise is labor without weariness. - Samuel Johnson

The workout program is designed for strength and endurance, not bodybuilding.


Week 1


Day 1:


  • 100 meter swim, nonstop; any stroke but not on your back.
  • Forced march with rucksack (1/4 body weight); 3 miles in 45 mins. Along a road or 1 hr. cross country.

Day 2:


  • Stationary bike; 20 minutes at 70% heart rate.
  • Side straddle Hop or Jump rope 10 minutes (work toward nonstop).

Day 3:


  • 3 sets (maximum repetitions) of push-ups in 30 seconds.
  • 3 mile run (moderate, 8-9 minute pace).
  • Rope Climb/or 3 sets (maximum repetitions) of chin-ups Forced march with rucksack (1/4 body weight); 5 miles
    in 1 hr 15 min along the road or 1 hr 40 min cross country.

Day 4:


  • Stationary bike; 20 minutes at 70% heart rate.
  • 40 yard sprints (10 times; 30 second rest).
  • 15 meter swim.

Day 5:


  • Forced march with rucksack (1/4 body weight), 5 miles in 1 hr 15 min along road or 1 hr 40 min cross country.

Day 6:


  • 3 sets push-ups and sit ups (max repetitions in 30 seconds).
  • 3 sets chin-ups (max repetitions).
  • 200 meter swim.

Day 7:


  • Rest

Week 2


Day 1:


  • Forced march rucksack (1/3 body weight); 8 miles in 2 hrs along road or 2 hrs 40 min. cross country.

Day 2:


  • Stationary bike; 20 minutes at 70% heart rate.

Day 3:


  • 3 sets (maximum repetitions) of push-ups, chin-ups, and sit-ups in a 35 second period.
  • Run 5 miles (moderate 8-9 minute pace).
  • 3 sets (30-50 each) of squats with rucksack (1/4 body weight). Go down only to the point where the upper and lower leg form a 90 degree bend at knee.

Day 4:


  • 300-meter swim, nonstop; any stroke but not on your back.

Day 5:


  • Forced march with rucksack (1/3 body weight); 10 miles inn 3 hrs along road or 4 hrs cross country.

Day 6:


  • 3 sets (maximum repetitions) of push-ups, chin-ups, and sit-ups in a 35 second period.
  • Stationary bike; 20 minutes at 80% heart rate.
  • 15-meter swim.

Day 7:


  • Rest

Week 3


Day 1:


  • 4 sets (maximum repetitions of push-ups, chin-ups, and sit-ups in a 40 second period.
  • Run 4 miles (fast to moderate 7-8 minute mile).
  • 4 sets (50 each) of squats with rucksack (1/3 body weight). Go down only to the point where there is a 90 degree bend at knee

Day 2:


  • Stationary bike; 20 minutes at 80% heart rate.
  • Jump rope or Side straddle Hop 12 minutes (work towards nonstop).

Day 3:


  • A. Forced march; 12 miles with rucksack (1/3 body weight or 60 lbs, whichever is greater) in 3 hrs along road or 4 hrs cross country.

Day 4:


  • Swim 400 meters.

Day 5:


  • 4 sets (maximum repetitions) of push-ups, chin-ups, and sit-ups in a 40 second period.
  • Run 6 miles (fast to moderate 7-8 minute mile).

Day 6:


  • Stationary bike; 20 minutes at 80% heart rate.
  • Jump rope or Side Straddle Hop 10 minutes nonstop.
  • 15-meter swim.

Day 7:


  • Rest

Week 4


Day 1:


  • Forced march; 8 miles rucksack (1/3 body weight or 60 lbs, whichever is greater) in 2 hours along road or 2 hrs 40 min cross country.

Day 2:


  • Swim 400 meters.
  • 4 sets dips (max repetitions).
  • 4 sets (maximum repetitions) of push-ups, chin-ups, and sit-ups in a 40 second period.

Day 3:


  • Run 6 miles (fast to moderate 7-8 minute pace).
  • 3 sets (8-12 reps) leg presses, heel raises, leg extensions, leg curls.

Day 4:


  • 4 sets (maximum repetitions of push-ups, chin-ups, and sit-ups in a 40 second period.
  • Stationary bike; 25 minutes at 805 maximum heart rate.

Day 5:


  • Forced march; 12 miles with rucksack (1/3 body weight or 75 lbs, whichever is greater) in 3 hrs along road or 4 hrs cross country.

Day 6:


  • 4 sets (maximum repetitions) of push-ups, chin-ups, and sit-ups in a 40 second period.
  • Jump rope; 15 minutes nonstop.

Day 7:


  • Rest
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