Performance First
Class 016 starts Feb 15, 2027

Special Operations Selection Prep, Class 016

Six weeks to selection‑readyCoached in person by a former SEAL Team 6 operator

In-person training in Banks, Alabama, built around your selection course, your current fitness and your timeline.

Dates
Feb 15 to Mar 26
Schedule
Mon–Fri + Sat
Class size
Small, seats limited
Apply for Class 016 Reserve with $500 deposit

Applying is free and takes about a minute.

Athletes working through mobility and strength drills on the Performance First training floor
Inside a classAthletes on the training floor in Banks, AL

The calendar

Monday, Feb 15 to Friday, Mar 26

Mornings Monday through Friday, plus Saturdays. Six weeks on site, with support before you arrive and direction after you leave.

Before you arriveGroup Zoom callsTwice a month once the class fills. Bring every question.
Week 1Feb 15
Week 2Feb 22
Week 3Mar 1
Week 4Mar 8
Week 5Mar 15
Week 6Mar 22Class ends Mar 26
After Mar 26Your next programIndividual direction for the training that gets you to your selection date.

The approach

Training built around your selection course and where you are today

“Getting fit and getting in shape just isn’t enough. What you need is a real process.”

Jeff Nichols, founder
Jeff Nichols, founder of Performance First

Your coach: Jeff Nichols

  • Former SEAL Team 6 operator
  • Human performance department head for Naval Special Warfare during his active duty time
  • Exercise physiologist with 20+ years of experience (CSCS*D, TSAC*D)

What the six weeks include

  • Programming written for youNo templates from our website. Every session is built from where you are now and what your selection course demands.
  • Training six days a weekPST prep, running, swimming, rucking, resistance training and mobility.
  • Pathology testingA full lab panel with an individual report.
  • Supplements for all six weeksProvided by Thorne.
  • The mental sideSessions on mindset, meditation, nutrition, stress and sleep, built for special operations.
  • A plan for what comes nextIndividual program direction when the six weeks end.

From a past class

What two training days can look like

Facility and track day

  • Facility opens. General warm-up.
  • Movement prep for the day’s session.
  • Strength, hypertrophy or power work, plus movements specific to your selection course.
  • PST-specific training.
  • Track work for lactate threshold and running mechanics, or load carriage with a ruck or weight vest.

Pool day

  • Meet at the pool. Warm-up.
  • Swim work written for each athlete: combat side stroke, freestyle, fins, kickboard and pull buoy, hypoxic work, turns and open-water technique.
  • Resistance training, conjugate session and heart-rate work.
  • Mindset and meditation, nutrition, sleep training or a guest speaker.

Your sessions are written around your readiness, so your days will differ.

Inside a class

Where you’ll train, and who you’ll train with

A small group working through the same six weeks, on a 10,000 sq ft facility on our own land in Banks, Alabama, with pool sessions at the nearby rec center.

A coach briefing athletes on the training floor before a session
Coaching on the training floor
Athletes in a classroom session at the Performance First facility
Classroom sessions on the mental side
A past Performance First selection prep class outdoors
A past selection prep class
Aerial view of the Performance First property and facility
The Performance First property
Aerial view of the outdoor rec center pool used for swim sessions
Pool sessions at the rec center

Cost and entry standards

$3,500 total. $500 holds your seat.

$500
Deposit
Due when you reserve. Nonrefundable.
$3,000
Balance
Due when you arrive in Banks, AL.
Total $3,500Lodging and meals not included
What to bring: training shoes, running shoes, fins, goggles and a water bottle.

Arrive able to hit these

50
Sit-ups
in 2 min
50
Push-ups
in 2 min
10
Pull-ups
strict
12:30
1.5-mile run
or faster
You must be 18 or older.
Not there yet? Start with one of our online PST programs and aim for Class 017, which runs May 24 to Jul 2, 2027.

Questions

Before you apply

Who is this class for?

Candidates preparing for special operations selection: BUD/S, SFAS, MARSOC, Air Force special warfare and similar pipelines. If you’re training for a tactical law enforcement or fire role, apply and tell us your goal.

How is the training structured?

Six weeks of structured, progressive training. Sessions are written for each athlete based on their current readiness and the demands of their selection course.

Is the $500 deposit refundable?

No. The deposit is nonrefundable and holds your seat in the class. The $3,000 balance is due when you arrive.

What if I can’t hit the minimums yet?

Apply anyway and tell us where you are. If you need more time, one of our online PST programs can get you ready for Class 017 (May 24 to Jul 2, 2027).

Where do I stay?

Lodging and meals aren’t included in the price. Mention it in your application and we’ll point you in the right direction.

What happens after I apply?

We review your answers and email you with next steps and how to reserve your seat. Once the class is full, group Zoom calls start twice a month to answer questions before you arrive.

Apply

Apply for Class 016

Tell us what you’re training for and where you stand today. We’ll reply by email with next steps.

  • Feb 15 to Mar 26, 2027 in Banks, Alabama
  • $500 deposit holds your seat, $3,000 due on arrival
  • Small class. Seats are limited.

Your application

About a minute. All fields required.

Can you hit the minimums today?

50 sit-ups and 50 push-ups in 2 min each, 10 pull-ups, 1.5 miles in 12:30

We’ll follow up by email. Your number is only used for Class 016 updates.

Application received

Thanks. We’ll review your answers and email you with next steps for Class 016.

Ready to lock in your seat now? Reserve with the $500 deposit.

Already decided? Reserve your seat with the $500 deposit

Apply for Class 016