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For the better part of a 6 years, I have used my local gym as a training ground for passing my APFT. Don't get me wrong, I feel like I have seen some really good results from all the strength training and pretty cool cardio machines my gym has to offer, but I always felt like my running time was lacking. So, for the past month I have dedicated myself to running at least 2 miles every morning outside before work. Not only has this made me feel more physically fit, but it has improved my runtime exponentially. For the question I ask you all is, should I be leaving the gym altogether and just run outside, or should I just use the gym sporadically? I'm not much of a weightlifter at all, I'm mainly all about cardio.
APFT
Running
Training
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 24
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I highly prefer to run outside of a gym since I get bored very quickly just looking at the same scenery throughout a run (such as the wall in front of a treadmill), but the gym is still useful. If nothing else it allows you to work out and run inside while inclement weather (I'm talking lightning as opposed to rainfall) is going on.
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running outside is definitely crucial, as that's the humidity and temperature you'll likely encounter on your PFT. however, I have found that the treadmill is fantastic for developing a consistent and fast pace. It's more work on your lungs, and less work on your legs. I like this because it means I can focus heavier on leg day than I would running outdoors.
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It's all about what works for you. I personally can't run on cardio equipment and improve my run time, I have to pound pavement. There is utility in doing various leg exercises in the gym (deadlift, squat, calf raises) to build muscular strength and endurance, in my opinion. But again, it's all about what works for you.
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Workouts like the deadlift and squat are crucial to improved run times. don't neglect the gym. That being said, I always do my running outdoors and my upper body/core improvement in the gym. I stay away from the cardio machines always.
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It sounds in yr case like you are getting better results running outside. I would stick with what works and save the gym for days the weather does not cooperate, esp extremely hot or cold days. Running outside in Austin is a challenge tho because we are the allergy capitol of the world and there is never a lack of various pollens year around.
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There's no need to ditch the gym. Muscular strength and endurance is important to overall fitness. If you want to improve your cardio, just add that on top of your strength training. If you really want to crush your APFT and get 300+, go find one of those "crossfit" style rooms and do calisthenics. Youtube "Frank Medrano" if you need some motivation for doing calisthenics.
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Sgt Tom Cunnally
Yes sir but some gyms like 24hr Fitness and Golds Gym were so crowded a lot of customers just stopped going. When I was a Personal Trainer at 24hr Fitness you had to sign a log book and wait to use the equipment on evenings and weekends. So I left and became a Personal Trainer at Golds Gym that was less crowded but the some of their equipment needed to be replaced & the restrooms and showers were not very clean. So I decided running, hiking and a home gym was the best way to go for me.
But new and better gyms like Planet Fitness, Peloton and SoulCycle are becoming very popular in and around Boston. Especially with younger women, but Muscleheads and Bodybuilders still flock to Golds Gyms..
But new and better gyms like Planet Fitness, Peloton and SoulCycle are becoming very popular in and around Boston. Especially with younger women, but Muscleheads and Bodybuilders still flock to Golds Gyms..
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Work on what you need to improve. I could stand to improve my pushups, but it's the 2-mile run that kicks my butt every other APFT. It doesn't help me much to do a couple dozen situps, so when I have to train up, I make myself go running.
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There's nothing wrong with going to the Gym and running outside. From my former unit, it was suggested that if that day your unit is cardio, then goto the gym to do other exercises.
Unit non-cardio, do cardio outside unit hours.
Unit non-cardio, do cardio outside unit hours.
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