When we launched Tactical Trainer, you got one strength template: Operator. Three days a week, two to three lifts, full body every session. It’s the standard TB template for a reason — it works.

But not everyone’s schedule fits three days. Not everyone wants two lifts.

Today, Tactical Trainer supports three strength templates: Fighter, Operator, and Zulu. You choose the one that matches your life.

The Templates

Fighter — 2 Sessions/Week

Two strength days. All lifts every session. Three to four exercises.

Fighter is for the athlete whose primary focus is somewhere else — martial arts, team sports, military selection prep, heavy conditioning blocks. You need to maintain and build strength, but you can’t afford three days in the weight room. Fighter gives you the minimum effective dose with maximum time for your sport.

If your week is dominated by skill work, practice, or job-specific physical demands, Fighter keeps your strength moving forward without competing for recovery.

Operator — 3 Sessions/Week

The original. Three strength days, all lifts every session, two to three exercises.

Operator is the workhorse of Tactical Barbell. It’s the template most people start with and many never leave. Balanced frequency, manageable volume, enough room for conditioning on off days. If you’re a tactical athlete juggling strength and endurance — this is the proven default.

Nothing’s changed here. Operator works exactly as it always has.

Zulu — 4 Sessions/Week

Four strength days with lifts split across A/B sessions. Three to six exercises.

Zulu is for the lifter who wants more volume and variety. The A/B split means you can spread more exercises across the week without crushing yourself in any single session. More frequency, more lifts, more options.

If you’ve been wanting to add overhead press, front squats, or barbell rows without dropping your core lifts — Zulu gives you the structure to do it. It’s marked as “Recommended” in the template selector for a reason: it’s the most flexible option we offer.

Which One Is Right for You?

Forget the analysis paralysis. Here’s the decision:

  • Time-constrained or sport-focused? Fighter.
  • Balanced tactical athlete? Operator.
  • Want more volume and lift variety? Zulu.

You can always switch templates between training blocks. Run Operator for a cycle, try Zulu for the next. The programming adapts to whichever template you choose — percentages, progression, and periodization all work the same way.

And if you’re unsure, ask Kent. He knows your training history and can recommend the right fit.

What’s Next: Operator I/A

We’re building Operator Intermediate/Advanced — the template for athletes who’ve outgrown standard Operator. Operator I/A introduces more scheduling flexibility, making it ideal for experienced lifters who need to manage recovery more carefully. It’s also well-suited for the Ageless Athlete, where increased recovery between sessions isn’t optional — it’s essential.

Operator I/A is next on the roadmap. But we want to hear from you: what should we prioritise after that? More templates? Conditioning programming? Deeper Kent integration? Let us know.

Try It Now

The template selector is live. When you create a new plan, you’ll see all three options — Fighter, Operator, and Zulu — with descriptions to help you choose.

For existing users: Head to Plans, create a new plan, and pick your template. If you’ve been waiting for Fighter or Zulu support, it’s here.

For new users: Start your free trial at tacticaltrainer.eu. Pick the template that fits your schedule and let the programming do the rest.

We built these templates because you asked for them. Now we need your feedback. Try Fighter or Zulu, run a block, and tell us what works and what doesn’t. Your input shapes what we build next.

Three templates. One mission. Pick the one that fits and get to work.

Train hard. Stay ready.