Tacfit Commando - A real review

I often get asked by trainees at Krav Maga Bristol about the latest Training package or programme to be marketed. The latest such package is Scott Sonnons’ ‘Tacfit Commando’.

As I get older I value variety and anything focusing on joint mobility. So, inspite of a healthy scepticism about anything using the term 'special forces" I dismissed the marketing and took the plunge. As a professional trainer if I learn a few new coaching drills to teach - its got to be worth a shot  Added to this, the large number of fake review sites also encouraged me to give an honest opinion so here is what we found..

Tacfit Commando in a Nut shell

Downloadable work outs (with variations) with pdf manual and diet.

A word of warning

There are a large number of reviews of Sonnons Tacfit Commando package posted on the net. These are little more than adverts for the product and simply designed to sell the product or produce back links to the Tacfit Commando site. They are not reviews of the product and are misleading to the consumer. Shame on you Mr Sonnon ! As you may have gathered - this is a warts and all review.

How much and what's included.

Tacfit Commando is a series of downloadable videos an eBooks and e calendars. The whole package makes a 90 day package in theory. There are no physical package or goods.

Despite the images - its all downloads and pdfs

The product is sold in 2 forms. The deluxe package at $197 or £130. And the Basic Package at $137 or £84. And Yes - its expensive.

The difference between the 2 packages is…..

1. The basic package provides trainees with a pdf manual at 139 pages, work out descriptions and an e calender.

2. The deluxe package offers real time Tacfit Commando work outs a diet pdf and some ‘intuiflow and Prasara Yoga clips’ as well as a few freebie videos thrown in.

How does the programme work…

The programme is broken down into 4 components.

1. No intensity Day - (joint mobilisation only)

2. Low Intensity Day – (joint mobilisation and Prasara Yoga exercises)

3. Moderate Intensity Day – ( the low intensity day with the Tacfit work out at moderate intensity)

4. High Intensity day - – ( the low intensity day plus the same Tacfit work out at high intensity)

In summary, that’s 2 days active recovery and 2 days bodyweight metabolic conditioning using the Tabatta protocol (that’s 20 seconds effort – 10 seconds rest and repeat 8 times).

The Workout

These are very simple – however simple and easy are not the same thing ;-). BUT, you need to spend an extra $60 to get the ‘Tacfit Commando deluxe deployment kit’ to receive the actual workout videos. Otherwise you get an Instructional video showing you the movements. Let me reiterate that – for $137 you don’t even get the work out video ! Just the instructions.

Most people – even on a basic version would expect a video to follow and to be charged and extra $60 for it – well its not great frankly – and on a base price of $137.

Sonnon clearly explains the movements and the program is not overwhelmed with Sonnons new age psuedo science as many of his other programs are.

'think Bodyweight, think Pilates or power yoga - not commando'

Workout outline

The main work out is 6 exercises, each repeated for 20 seconds with a rest period and then done again for 8 cycles. Allow around 30 minutes for the main workout.

Who is it for

This clearly is not a package aimed at the military. Inspite of all the hype, the nature and type of workouts would appear aimed at novice - intermediate levels of fitness for the general population. Think Great Cardio, Power Yoga or dynamic Pilates NOT Military Fitness or serious endurance for Military training.

But we think the programme is good, unique BUT its not what it claims.  The programme offers great mobility and good cardio for most trainees. Sonnon breaks each work out down for various ability levels and the work outs are progressive.

VERDICT

Firstly, I really liked the package. Its unique, it multi planar and is not simply another rehash of push/pull cardio movements. Its a great way to increase strength/endurance over a wide range of movements. But this is very, very expensive for a simple download package.

The programme does not appear well balanced. Lots of pushing and rotation, no pulling movements - but ,then again it supposed to be bodyweight only - so we'll let that slide.

The programme is a great fun and demanding. I do not feel this should be used in isolation (pulling movements absent as previously mentioned). You still need some weights, kettlebells or better still CrossFit.

The marketing is completley misleading. I read this as appropriate for individuals wanting to go for Special Forces/Military training. Its NOT.

This program - will not do what it claims it is completely innapproproiate for this. This is a major problem as all the Hype and marketing clearly makes this product misleading. Its a pity really as its an interesting course that will improve flexibility, cardio and strength endurance.

Does it do what it says?

We believe the focus on bodyweight and cardio make it a great recovery/injury prevention programme, love the mobility training although having said that - its quite demanding on the knees in parts.

Verdict - NO. The programme is innappropriate for Military type fitness tests and assessments - anyone relying on this programme will be at a huge disadvantage - in our opinion.

Summary

Several things struck me about this programme. Firstly the price. Its costly and for $137 (£84) you don’t even get the work out video – just the instructions for the execises. Considering there is no physical package – no manufacturing costs, this is very, very expensive. You really need to purchase the whole package at $197 (£130) to get the full work out videos.

Verdict - Its over priced.

Secondly the claims. This claims to be a programme used by the Special Forces (Yawn – heard that before – Moni Aizik and the Commando Krav Maga Scam). I don’t believe for one minute that this system would be used as an official part of any programme. However for the general public I think the programme would offer gains in mobility, cardio and muscular endurance. Think Power Yoga or dynamic Pilates crossed with circuit training.

Thirdly – I appreciate it is a bodyweight programme but it is not a balanced programme – all pushing exercises and no pulling exercises. Certainly no runs, pull ups or usual staples of military type training.

In our opinion its a great programme - a great challenge or projest to try but is in no way a robust stand alone programme for anyone serious about all performance based fitness. Its certainly not realistic preparation for Military fitness.

Alternatives

P90X - try amazon from £30

Crossfit - free at Crossfit.com is is appropriate for Military fitness and assessments.

TRX

Military - with TRX and Military programme - £149 if you shop around and better value.

If you are happy to pay this much for a unique training programme - great. If you want a video course that challenge you and give almost identical results, I reccomend P90X which can be now found new for less than £30 (Amazon UK) if you look about. But in all honesty - the best programme I have seen to date still remains either CrossFit or a well designed MMA

NOTE

We did some reserach and believe in excess of 50% of customers are requesting a refund on this product.

Paul Grey

Paul Grey is a certified Personal trainer, Crossfit trainer and MMA conditioning coach.