How to Get Physically Ready for Marine Basic Training
To join the ranks of the few and the proud Marine Corp, you will have to undergo tremendous physical and sometimes mental exhaustion. Many recruits make the mistake of foregoing any exercise or physical preparation until they actually get to Marine Basic Training. Waiting until you get to basic training is a mistake that could put your military career in jeopardy before it even starts. Preparing for Marine basic training is not easy and requires a lot of hard work but don't panic.
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Instructions
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Build up your physical activity slowly. Jumping into a full regimented Marine exercise routine will break you down and kill your morale. Make no mistake about it, you will eventually have to step up your workout game, but start out slowly and build your exercise routine over time. Low reps, shorter distance and light weight (if you weight lift) are the best ways to get your body warmed up to physical activity. Physical fitness tests will be given throughout Marine Basic Training therefore working yourself into shape is a must.
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Start early and do it often. As soon as you think you would like to join the Marines is the time to start physically preparing. The more preparation you can do before you get to Marine Basic Training the better off you will be when you arrive. Putting yourself on a daily routine of exercise and scheduling activities will prepare you for the full days ahead. There won't be much empty time during Marine Basic Training so filling your days with activity will get your body used to having something to do before bed. Getting an early start to your day will also be important as they will wake you before the sun rises in Marine Basic Training.
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Run consistently for time and distance. You will want to start running before you get to Marine Basic Training. Start off running at distances from a half mile to one mile for the first week or two and gradually increase your distance after that period until you can run a few miles without breaking. If you are a strong runner already you may start at a longer distance. The goal should be to at least get your one mile average time to at least eight minutes or as close as possible. Running is also a part of the physical fitness test for Marine Basic Training and is practiced on an almost daily basis throughout training. If you are a smoker, kicking the habit may be helpful to improve your run and get your lungs prepared for the tough runs to come in Marine Basic Training.
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Perform sit ups and pushups to standard. Having strong abdominals (stomach) and pectoral muscles (chest) will put you ahead of the power curve. When you do pushups be sure that your chest touches the ground each repetition to do them to standard for Marine Basic Training. Sit ups should be an exercise performed vigorously and often as this will also help to improve your run time. Pushups are a common exercise performed by every Marine and will help you to carry a heavier load when having to wear a ruck-sack (backpack) during marches. Many times these exercises are also used as a form of discipline by your Drill Instructors during Marine Basic Training and throughout your career as a Marine.
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Learn to pay attention to detail. As a Marine, you will eventually have to perform tasks such as cleaning and tedious hygiene. This upkeep includes boot shining, ironing your clothing and keeping everything in neat order at all times. You will want to start this process early if you have formed bad habits. Prepare yourself for tasks such as these by keeping all of your clothing folded, ironed and in an orderly manner before you get to basic training. Clean with a renewed sense of purpose whenever you are tidying your house or room.
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Practice some drill and ceremony techniques. Doing exercise is not the only way to prepare you for the rigors of becoming a Marine in basic training. You will also have to undergo tedious training on how to march, salute and lead a cadences, which are sung while marching or running mostly in unison. These can be learned before Marine Basic Training through your recruiter to prepare you physically and to give you an advantage in training.
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Tips & Warnings
Join a team sport if you are still in school to give you some extra sense of teamwork and physical training.
Involve your Marine recruiter to know specific standards for basic training.
Stretch before and after exercise to help avoid physical injury.
Resources
- Photo Credit Photo by mistereels.
