And while I always thought I was sort of in shape (5'9" 135lbs) I dont think I will be able to pass the PT test. The PT test being 50 push ups, 50 sit ups and jogging 2 miles in 17 minutes. I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions to help me get in shape, I don't leave for another month. I was thinking maybe riding my bike the 5 miles to work every day or jogging afterwards, because I dont have the time or money to join a gym. I was wondering if anyone had any advice or suggestions from someone who has done this. Thanks!
So i'm joining the army
- Thread starter lars
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carinna
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Sheesh, that's a lot of pushups and situps! Riding your bike, or even running, will get your stamina up, but if it's not the same type of activity I'm not sure it will really prepare you for what you've got to do in order to pass your test. I would start a daily regimen of exactly what you are going to be required to do, so that over the course of the month you will prepare yourself for the task at hand. You don't have to do it all at once either. Work your way up to 50 reps, you have a month after all.
And, congrats on your decision to join the army. Thank you for your service and selflessness. Best of luck to you.
And, congrats on your decision to join the army. Thank you for your service and selflessness. Best of luck to you.
Well, I've never done this...but with enough training you could do 50 pushups and 50 situps all consecutively for sure - it's not that much. I do 25-30 pushups consecutively and don't consider myself in great shape.
I would do Burpees every two days followed by crunches and sits ups (until failure). I would run on off days...mixing it up...interval style...HIIT style.
I'm sure you could add several reps per week with this sort of training.
If you stuck with this training for a month....you would become a machine.
edit: Best of luck to you and hope you have a great career in the army.
Eric
I would do Burpees every two days followed by crunches and sits ups (until failure). I would run on off days...mixing it up...interval style...HIIT style.
I'm sure you could add several reps per week with this sort of training.
If you stuck with this training for a month....you would become a machine.
edit: Best of luck to you and hope you have a great career in the army.
Eric
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Right now to jog two miles, I would imagine somewhere around the 20 minute mark. Just before I made the initial post here I did 30 push ups and 20 sit ups.
I was thinking on my way home from work of picking up some foods that would be better for starting to work out (lentils and things of that sort, other suggestions are appreciated) instead of my normal diet of wendys and mountain dew.
I was thinking on my way home from work of picking up some foods that would be better for starting to work out (lentils and things of that sort, other suggestions are appreciated) instead of my normal diet of wendys and mountain dew.
In my opinion, you personally design your routine of direct and indirect exercises for the training and/or test you are about to encounter.
I was an army reserve officer (Officer Candidate School, OCS), and had taken regular Army Basic/AIT training at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, and Law Enforcement Basic training, in Hutchinson, Kansas-----Friggen----> bring em'.
I got out of Law Enforcement due to an injury, and by an angry wife who didnt want me "on the street" as a Law Enforcement Officer any more. However, after several years out (and losing my certification), I went back (to get recertified) to Law Enforcement Basic at the age of 46 and trained along side persons half my age.
My personal motto during my training:
You may be bigger than me, you may be stronger than me, but the engagement of battle will be so brutal, though you may have won, you will think you have lost, and you will not be back.
(Chillen)
Continue the fight!
It was logic that told me that no matter how much I trained at 46, that a comparably trained and conditioned person half my age, was going to be a step (or two) faster due to youth, but I am not logical in this sort of thought process....
I was the second in fitness in my class. Average age: 24.
You are going to need a training routine that is mainly and proportionate to high endurance:
If you are going to join the US Army do a search on the Basic/AIT training methods and what they will EXPECT from you.
Here is a brief description on what to expect (I wrote it fast so bare this in mind):
1. 400+ pushups or more (per day) in boot camp isnt uncommon. Hundreds more if your not doing grass drills for someone in the company or you making a mistake in the "traditions" (i.e. boots being shined to the Drill SGT's satisfaction, inspections, urinal cleaning, uniform presentation, etc, etc.). These pushups do not include normal fitness training and routine scheduling.
2. 300+ situps or more (per day) in boot camp isnt uncommon. Hundreds more if your not doing grass drills for someone in the company or you making a mistake. This does not include normal fitness training or scheduling.
3. A steady dose of mountain climbers unil you wake up and see that you have been doing them while you were asleep, about 300+ per day or hundreds more dependent on whether you or another company member makes a mistake.
4. Prepare for 4 hours of sleep: The first few weeks you will get about 4 hours per day of sleep. Sometimes you will be selected for "fire drill" which means you get virtually none in one day sometimes--the first few weeks of Basic.
5. The ability to handle someone in your face constantly putting stress on you--ALL DAY LONG, with exception of classes. If you find it funny (as I did when I was in), "he tells you to get your D@CK in the dirt", if you look at him, "your d@ck is in the dirt", etc. Every where you go there is no walking--its all "DOUBLE-TIME........ALL THE TIME"--there is no walking.
6. You run about 3 miles in the morning after fitness training, and then another 3 miles in the afternoon after fitness training (and this doesnt include the hundreds of pushups, situps, mountain climbers during grass drills INBETWEEN), and all the while getting about 4 hours sleep per day. The 3 mile run in morning and the 3 mile run in the afternoon, is just the "break-in" miles, they get progressively LONGER.
7. A high endurance application of cleaning pots and pans on "Mess Detail". LARGE POTS all day for HOURS. Regular and on going "Latrine Duty" cleaning toilets, urinals, and mopping floors.
8. Attention to detail in barricks, self, and for inspections--if you make a mistake (even if its common and understandable) its NO EXCUSE...d@ck in the dirt for "grass drills", and these can last for 30 minutes or more sometimes. Think of all the pushups you can do in one day. This isnt enough.
9.10 mile, 15 mile and 25 mile marches with full gear and backpack (with M-16, and pack can weigh 15 to 45pounds). Many BLOOD BLISTERS common. Many ankles swell beyond recognition. If you cant continue, one is out. Have to repeat basic after healing.
10. Obstacle course drills and time requirements. Must pass or out.
A very high mental and physical fitness is required. I did this off of memory rather quickly, so its not exhaustive. I took my basic at Fort Sill, Oklahoma (1984), and Officer Candidate School (OCS,which is WORSE) 1988, and my first Law Enforcement Basic in 1990), and a recertification (after being out several years), in 2007.
Are you aware this is what you are heading for in Basic/AIT Training in the Army?
Your training needs to be in high endurance methods of application. And, you need to have mental high endurance to withstand lack of sleep and tiredness in addition to high tolerence to pain.
Best wishes to you.
Chillen
I was an army reserve officer (Officer Candidate School, OCS), and had taken regular Army Basic/AIT training at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, and Law Enforcement Basic training, in Hutchinson, Kansas-----Friggen----> bring em'.
I got out of Law Enforcement due to an injury, and by an angry wife who didnt want me "on the street" as a Law Enforcement Officer any more. However, after several years out (and losing my certification), I went back (to get recertified) to Law Enforcement Basic at the age of 46 and trained along side persons half my age.
My personal motto during my training:
You may be bigger than me, you may be stronger than me, but the engagement of battle will be so brutal, though you may have won, you will think you have lost, and you will not be back.
(Chillen)
Continue the fight!
It was logic that told me that no matter how much I trained at 46, that a comparably trained and conditioned person half my age, was going to be a step (or two) faster due to youth, but I am not logical in this sort of thought process....
I was the second in fitness in my class. Average age: 24.
You are going to need a training routine that is mainly and proportionate to high endurance:
If you are going to join the US Army do a search on the Basic/AIT training methods and what they will EXPECT from you.
Here is a brief description on what to expect (I wrote it fast so bare this in mind):
1. 400+ pushups or more (per day) in boot camp isnt uncommon. Hundreds more if your not doing grass drills for someone in the company or you making a mistake in the "traditions" (i.e. boots being shined to the Drill SGT's satisfaction, inspections, urinal cleaning, uniform presentation, etc, etc.). These pushups do not include normal fitness training and routine scheduling.
2. 300+ situps or more (per day) in boot camp isnt uncommon. Hundreds more if your not doing grass drills for someone in the company or you making a mistake. This does not include normal fitness training or scheduling.
3. A steady dose of mountain climbers unil you wake up and see that you have been doing them while you were asleep, about 300+ per day or hundreds more dependent on whether you or another company member makes a mistake.
4. Prepare for 4 hours of sleep: The first few weeks you will get about 4 hours per day of sleep. Sometimes you will be selected for "fire drill" which means you get virtually none in one day sometimes--the first few weeks of Basic.
5. The ability to handle someone in your face constantly putting stress on you--ALL DAY LONG, with exception of classes. If you find it funny (as I did when I was in), "he tells you to get your D@CK in the dirt", if you look at him, "your d@ck is in the dirt", etc. Every where you go there is no walking--its all "DOUBLE-TIME........ALL THE TIME"--there is no walking.
6. You run about 3 miles in the morning after fitness training, and then another 3 miles in the afternoon after fitness training (and this doesnt include the hundreds of pushups, situps, mountain climbers during grass drills INBETWEEN), and all the while getting about 4 hours sleep per day. The 3 mile run in morning and the 3 mile run in the afternoon, is just the "break-in" miles, they get progressively LONGER.
7. A high endurance application of cleaning pots and pans on "Mess Detail". LARGE POTS all day for HOURS. Regular and on going "Latrine Duty" cleaning toilets, urinals, and mopping floors.
8. Attention to detail in barricks, self, and for inspections--if you make a mistake (even if its common and understandable) its NO EXCUSE...d@ck in the dirt for "grass drills", and these can last for 30 minutes or more sometimes. Think of all the pushups you can do in one day. This isnt enough.
9.10 mile, 15 mile and 25 mile marches with full gear and backpack (with M-16, and pack can weigh 15 to 45pounds). Many BLOOD BLISTERS common. Many ankles swell beyond recognition. If you cant continue, one is out. Have to repeat basic after healing.
10. Obstacle course drills and time requirements. Must pass or out.
A very high mental and physical fitness is required. I did this off of memory rather quickly, so its not exhaustive. I took my basic at Fort Sill, Oklahoma (1984), and Officer Candidate School (OCS,which is WORSE) 1988, and my first Law Enforcement Basic in 1990), and a recertification (after being out several years), in 2007.
Are you aware this is what you are heading for in Basic/AIT Training in the Army?
Your training needs to be in high endurance methods of application. And, you need to have mental high endurance to withstand lack of sleep and tiredness in addition to high tolerence to pain.
Best wishes to you.
Chillen
My fiance just left for his basic training. The PT test is the same for you I assume, the 2-2-2? (pushups and situps for two minutes, then 2 miles?) He prepared by doing situps and pushups every morning and every evening, and running 4-6 miles a few times a week. With your endurance raised to that distance the 2 miles will seem easier and you'll do it faster. That was the theory anyway. Good luck!
During the first few weeks of basic, it is pretty intensive "endurance" activities over "pure" strength activities.
The run type in army boot camp is called the "Airborne Shuffle". Its slightly slower than a jog with short steps. You will have to progressively get to the point you can run at this type of speed for long periods of time (miles).
In addition, your upper body has to have alot of endurance and strength, but more endurance than strength. VERY high reps of pushups, situps, mountain climbers, chin ups (pull ups).
You have to have strength in your legs, but more "endurance" than "strength". I have seen many big strong guys, bow out, because they didnt have the "endurance that is necessary" for the type of training being applied.
=========================================================
Some rather stupid memories:
I had to act like a dying "c@ck Roach" once when I messed up, and had to do it for 25 minutes while they drank coffee and laughed. The more I laughed, the more trouble I got in. ----------->cant take it too seriously, ya know, it is a mind game, but yet one has to control emotions, or "you see your D@ck in the dirt" many times. LOL
I went in the barricks with my boots on..........Oopps!
=========================================================
Another time, I had to put my head fully submerged in a camode (toilet for the young ones), and flush it........the drill Sgt. stated: "Thats your brain going down, you maggot!"
Then out for "Grass Drills": Push ups, situps, for another 25 minutes. Just me and the Drill Sgt on my @ss. LOL
Because, I went into the barricks with my boots on again, the very next day.
=========================================================
Boot camp and other army types of training, brings this to a clear point. Going with 2 to 4 hours of sleep, running miles and miles, and doing hundreds upon hundreds of pushups (and other exercises), withstanding severe cold, heat, and pain, proves one can do more than they think they can (when healthy), as MILLIONS of men and woman have gone through it.
Wish you the best of luck
It will be an experience you will not forget, AND WELL WORTH IT. You will learn a lot about yourself and mature a lot.
Chillen
The run type in army boot camp is called the "Airborne Shuffle". Its slightly slower than a jog with short steps. You will have to progressively get to the point you can run at this type of speed for long periods of time (miles).
In addition, your upper body has to have alot of endurance and strength, but more endurance than strength. VERY high reps of pushups, situps, mountain climbers, chin ups (pull ups).
You have to have strength in your legs, but more "endurance" than "strength". I have seen many big strong guys, bow out, because they didnt have the "endurance that is necessary" for the type of training being applied.
=========================================================
Some rather stupid memories:
I had to act like a dying "c@ck Roach" once when I messed up, and had to do it for 25 minutes while they drank coffee and laughed. The more I laughed, the more trouble I got in. ----------->cant take it too seriously, ya know, it is a mind game, but yet one has to control emotions, or "you see your D@ck in the dirt" many times. LOL
I went in the barricks with my boots on..........Oopps!
=========================================================
Another time, I had to put my head fully submerged in a camode (toilet for the young ones), and flush it........the drill Sgt. stated: "Thats your brain going down, you maggot!"
Then out for "Grass Drills": Push ups, situps, for another 25 minutes. Just me and the Drill Sgt on my @ss. LOL
Because, I went into the barricks with my boots on again, the very next day.
=========================================================
Boot camp and other army types of training, brings this to a clear point. Going with 2 to 4 hours of sleep, running miles and miles, and doing hundreds upon hundreds of pushups (and other exercises), withstanding severe cold, heat, and pain, proves one can do more than they think they can (when healthy), as MILLIONS of men and woman have gone through it.
Wish you the best of luck
It will be an experience you will not forget, AND WELL WORTH IT. You will learn a lot about yourself and mature a lot.
Chillen
Not to put down anyones advice as it is good... but your numbers are fine. You do not need to be able to pass the test going in. There is a set of numbers you do have to meet, but you are well within those standards. That being said continue to work out and prep yourself for boot. 90% of it is mental as you cant help but get in shape with the Drills pushing you.
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It is "far superior to prepare yourself" physically as much as you possibly can, before you go. Stress yourself "appropriately" in training preparation.
To win is being prepared.
Winners prepare themselves.
There is no questioning it.
Wish you the best of luck!
Best wishes,
Chillen
The Army base their numbers off age and gender.
I think your range seems a bit high though. I think the number you provide is the ideal range for your age group (the 100% group), but not the minimum to just pass.
From what I understand, you take a pre-test where they decide if you should join a PT group before hitting basic. If you're in decent shape, you should pass the pre-test with ease. Remember, they don't really kick you out for not passing the PT tests. They might eventually, but I never heard someone got kicked out unless they went crazy.
I think your range seems a bit high though. I think the number you provide is the ideal range for your age group (the 100% group), but not the minimum to just pass.
From what I understand, you take a pre-test where they decide if you should join a PT group before hitting basic. If you're in decent shape, you should pass the pre-test with ease. Remember, they don't really kick you out for not passing the PT tests. They might eventually, but I never heard someone got kicked out unless they went crazy.
I think you only had to do 12 pushups to avoid the remedial training.
I'm planning on enlisting in the USMC and I've spoken with many military personnel and they all tell me the same thing. The single most important physical conditioning for the military is running. Run until you puke and run some more; the rest will be easily developed during boot camp, well basics in your case.