Posted on Jan 15, 2016
What physical fitness advice would you give a civilian looking to enlist? Where should I start?
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**UPDATE AS OF 12MAY2016**
**I'm happy to announce I've lost a decent amount of weight thus far, and my fitness levels have definitely done up. I still have a ways to go, but I am getting better. I dicked around for a bit too long in starting, but then finally got into gear. My weight has gone from 6'3" and 277 lbs to 255 lbs over the course of two months. I'm looking to continue this journey and drop to approximately 205 lbs which is within the standards of DoD, as well as being a healthy weight for me.
The workout I have been doing has been as follows:
Morning: Elliptical machine (don't use arms, only legs). Use for 30 minutes in a series of sprint intervals. EG one minute all out, one minute rest. I usually go a distance of roughly 3.15 miles while doing this.
After I finish work/class I then hit the gym. At the gym I do a circuit. Circuit is 10 pull ups, 10 push ups, 20 squats, 10 dips. 30 second rest. Repeat five times. This is then followed by another round of cardio.**
I'm a civilian who is interested in enlisting. My biggest issue now is my physical fitness - eg I'm overweight and out of shape. I'm able to plod through a mile, but I know that is substandard.
Can anyone recommend where to start, ways to improve my overall fitness, and a standard I should aim for before enlisting?
Thank you everyone!
**I'm happy to announce I've lost a decent amount of weight thus far, and my fitness levels have definitely done up. I still have a ways to go, but I am getting better. I dicked around for a bit too long in starting, but then finally got into gear. My weight has gone from 6'3" and 277 lbs to 255 lbs over the course of two months. I'm looking to continue this journey and drop to approximately 205 lbs which is within the standards of DoD, as well as being a healthy weight for me.
The workout I have been doing has been as follows:
Morning: Elliptical machine (don't use arms, only legs). Use for 30 minutes in a series of sprint intervals. EG one minute all out, one minute rest. I usually go a distance of roughly 3.15 miles while doing this.
After I finish work/class I then hit the gym. At the gym I do a circuit. Circuit is 10 pull ups, 10 push ups, 20 squats, 10 dips. 30 second rest. Repeat five times. This is then followed by another round of cardio.**
I'm a civilian who is interested in enlisting. My biggest issue now is my physical fitness - eg I'm overweight and out of shape. I'm able to plod through a mile, but I know that is substandard.
Can anyone recommend where to start, ways to improve my overall fitness, and a standard I should aim for before enlisting?
Thank you everyone!
Posted in these groups: 
Fitness
Fitness
Edited 10 y ago
Posted 10 y ago
Responses: 16
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Don't do what I did, all I did was beef up and lift weights. Just honestly run! Do a few sit-ups and push-ups throughout the day, it'll really help. Focus on doing a proper push-up.
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Talk to a recruiter for the branch of service you are interested in. I know that both the Navy and the Army recruiters near me have programs to work with prospects on physical fitness, including meeting with them a few times a week for organized physical fitness sessions. See if your local recruiter might do this
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All of the responses offer excellent advise. Make sure that you warm up with stretching exercises and gradually increase repetitions. Find a good routine and stick with it. Do not expect results overnight, but they will come. Thank you for wanting to serve our country!
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When my son applied for and was accepted for Air Force OTS he was a power lifter and way over the weight limit. He ran and biked 6 or more hours per day, and developed excellent cardiovascular fitness. He was so fit when they did physical fitness tests he and his running partner, now both Air force Officers, failed PT tests because they were so fit that the tests did not cause a heart rate increase. This was not held against them but gives you some idea.
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