Meet the Man Training Officers for the Toughest Job in Town: PD and SWAT

Long-days in the heat and humidity, constantly under stress, crouching for hours at a time, these are just some of the conditions that PD and SWAT in Miami have to face. Physical fitness is critical to keep these officers in peak performance. Sam Simpson knows, because he trains those who serve to keep Miami safe.Simpson, operating owner of B-FIT, just north of the Design District, is a strength and conditioning coach with years of experience training athletes at all levels.“These guys are athletes. They are professionals who have to train all day. Their jobs and lives depend on it,” says Simpson.

He began training police and SWAT clients with partners Scotty Johnson and Julian Arana three years ago. Now, Simpson and his team train the officers three to four times a week.Simpson modifies exercises in the B-FIT strength and conditioning program to be harder for police and SWAT clients. He uses ballistic adaptations to make simple exercises more challenging.From time-to-time, his team trains the officers through more tactical programing, where officers have to deal with complicated and cooperative tasks, and limited rest. Simpson said that these sessions are sometimes done in the heat, recreating the conditions they encounter in the field.“We will run the tactical program outside, or open the studio doors and turn off the AC, to recreate the heat they experience day-to-day,” Simpson tells STAY FIT 305.Members of the PD and SWAT are not only physically trained at B-FIT. Simpson and his team train clients’ mentality.“The mental component is the most important part of their training,” says Simpson.

The programing at B-FIT is challenging. When clients come to train, they will have to overcome working out when they are sore and tired. That’s where being mentally tough comes in.Want to train like Miami PD and SWAT officers? B-FIT classes focus on quality movements and real strength training. While the training is serious, the atmosphere is light. New B-FIT clients receive two weeks of classes (up to 12 classes) for $39 when they mention STAY FIT 305.