General Physical Preparation (GPP) and Specific Physical Preparation (SPP) are rooted in Soviet-era sports science and popularized by Tudor Bompa (a Romanian sports scientist), Westside Barbell and CrossFit. These programming models can apply to any type of long-term, progressive athletic goal, fitness event, competition or tactical challenge. They are simply terms that trainers and coaches should use to organize training programs for any type of goal.
Built on the Same Foundation
Together, GPP and SPP create an athlete capable of handling any physical situation one might encounter. Tactical fitness does the same, just on a different level of ability with different goals.
Phase 1/GPP
Like the first phase of tactical fitness, GPP focuses on building a foundation across multiple fitness components, including strength, power, speed, agility, endurance, stamina, coordination, flexibility and mobility. GPP’s primary goal is to "build the engine" by developing a wide range of physical attributes rather than sport-specific skills. Tactical fitness's first-phase goal is to prepare the recruit/candidate to ace a fitness test (get to the training).
Phase 2/SPP
The second phase of tactical fitness most closely resembles SPP, as it focuses on preparing athletes for the specific future challenges of military training and the job itself. SPP is also the "transformation" phase, during which general fitness is channeled into sport-specific qualities. Maintaining these fitness elements is part of the SPP programming for both competing athletes and active-duty operators, whether competing or performing their job.
Phase 3/Divergence
The third phase of tactical fitness includes maintaining all components of fitness, with a focus on stress mitigation, recovery and just being good at all of them; rather than being elite in just a few, like a competitive athlete.
While the training phases are similar in structure, the biggest difference between the competitive and tactical athletes is that the sport demands higher levels of capability to compete. Being competitive in tactical communities requires an above-average fitness level (not elite) across many components of fitness, but, depending on the job, an above-average/elite proficiency in tactical knowledge to perform under stress, and the ability to recover quickly.
How They Match Up
If you compare the GPP/SPP of athletics to tactical fitness, many of the same types of programming can be used, but eventually, the tactical specifics will require a new layer of training. You can see why in this side-by-side comparison:
| Features | GPP/SPP | Tactical Fitness |
| Primary goal | Athleticism | Mission completion/survival |
| Equipment | Weights, calisthenics, cardio | Rucks, body armor, equipment (but also weights, calisthenics, cardio) |
| Recovery/nutrition | Prioritized daily | Often skipped, ignored, poor sleep |
| Success metric | Win/personal best | Mission success/20+ year career |
GPP/SPP in Tactical Fitness Training
Drawing from my experience as a tactical fitness coach for over 25 years, here is how the Seasonal Tactical Fitness Periodization model compares for GPP/SPP training:
Athletes are trained from a broad base (GPP) of fitness to specific and more challenging levels of performance (SPP) through the “To and Through” Philosophy.
GPP is the “getting to” phase. It focuses on the baseline required to get accepted and pass entry-level fitness exams, such as the Navy PST. This involves building a foundation through high-repetition calisthenics (pushups, situps, pullups) and cardio training (running and swimming) to build muscle endurance and aerobic capacity. However, more challenging events exist in actual military training compared to many of the entrance fitness exams.
You do need to build strength, power and mass in many candidates, so an “off-season” lift cycle phase addresses these weaknesses to build overall durability in various load-bearing activities specific to special ops selection (logs, boats, rucks, personnel carry). This is where SPP joins the preparation as the “getting through” phase, because movement and energy system specificity are essential. Also, longer swims with fins and longer runs are required in this “getting through” phase. In the end, a runner who can lift and swim or a lifter who can swim and run is created.
Seasonal Tactical Fitness Periodization is a yearlong training cycle using the spring/summer to build and peak (GPP/SPP), including high volume calisthenics and maximal but progressive endurance in running, rucking and swimming. The fall season is a transition period that adds weight training, reduces running miles and introduces speed and swimming miles. The winter lift cycle is to build durability, mass and strength, and to reduce the impact of running so joints can recover (GPP).
While GPP/SPP and tactical fitness and strength aim to build a capable athlete, they differ largely in their “why” and “how.” Both are about building a broad physical foundation, but tactical fitness also requires professionals to survive and succeed in high-stakes, unpredictable environments, often in life-or-death situations. This requires significant tactical skills in addition to the fitness foundation provided. However, it is fair to call the preparation to transition from athlete to tactical athlete part of the GPP/SPP process.
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