How to Prepare for Basic Military Training
If you are interested in pursuing a career in the military, one of the first things that you need to do is make sure that you are in superb physical condition. Basic military training is very physically taxing. To pass basic training you must pass the Army's physical fitness test. If you want your basic training to be easier, some training before camp begins can help make sure that you're well ahead of the pack once the workouts begin.
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Instructions
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Plan a comprehensive workout program. The program should touch on all of the physical aspects that military basic training includes. This means that you need to focus on body composition, strength, endurance, flexibility and cardiovascular health.
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Warm up with some light stretches and aerobic activity. A proper warm-up can help prevent injury. The U.S. Army notes on its website that a proper warm-up is key to preventing injury, and an important part of all basic training workouts as well. Warm up every time you exercise.
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Run regularly. Although you can improve cardiovascular endurance through cycling and swimming, it is important to run as well. The military fitness tests require running. Run to improve your running technique, especially if you were not previously a strong runner. Speed is also important, so interval training is highly valued. Integrate sprinting into your runs and find a good interval program where you alternate between jogging and running at different intensities.
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Lift weights and incorporate other types of strength training into your workouts. Strength training is also an important part of a workout routine in the weeks leading up to your start in basic training. Military fitness exercises are mostly body-weight exercises. As a result, these are great activities to focus your training on. Sit-ups, push-ups and pull-ups are staples that you should work on regularly. Skip a day between muscular workouts to maximize your gains.
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Tips & Warnings
Work out early in the morning. At basic training you will be required to get up early to begin exercising and will commonly be expected to function on less than eight hours' sleep. If you can get your body used to these conditions it will make the transition to training much easier.
If you use tobacco products, kick the habit before basic training. The Army does not allow smoking or the use of chewing tobacco during basic training.
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