The tactical population tends to have a more challenging schedule when it comes to making time for your strength training. Some jobs require long hours, days, weeks, or even months, where you won’t have access to a gym. However, as the popular saying goes here at Power Athlete, you should still be able to Move the Dirt. Whether you’re using a spoon or a shovel, getting something done and staying consistent will always be infinitely better than doing nothing.
Believe me, I understand the difficulty when it comes to finding time for your fitness, both when you’re in the military and as a first responder. I was a grunt in the Marines (YUT), fighting in two wars between 2006-2010, and have been a Firefighter since 2013. I’ve done missions where I’ve gotten no sleep for 3 days, and I’ve had shifts where there were calls every hour on the hour at night as a Firefighter. It sucks.
During these times, it may be difficult, but you can still move the dirt (even if it’s with just a teaspoon). When you’re beat up and tired, less is certainly more. Recover, recover, recover. Take a nap, refuel with some real foods (if accessible), and get SOMETHING done. Even if you just go for a 10-minute walk, that’s better than nothing (bonus points if you drag a sled or find something to carry while you do it).
Matthew Spaid. “Move the Dirt: The Power of Daily Effort” Power Athlete, https://powerathletehq.com/bndf-for-bamfs/. Accessed 22 Feb 2025.