How Important Is Physical Fitness?

[decodeddiesel]

Physical fitness seems to be a common theme here. I am a little proud of myself, I haven't seemed to loose that much weight since I started up working out again, but I just ran my first 10k (6.2 miles) in 3 years! Now if I could only do more than 7 consecutive pull ups

One other thing to remember, the better your general health and fitness levels (especially cardio-vascular health) the better your chances are of surviving a massive trauma, and or blood loss....eg, getting shot or stabbed.

[militarymoron]

being in decent cardio-vascular shape and having muscle/strength is a good thing no matter what the reason, IMHO.
somewhere in-between a skinny marathon runner and a bulky body builder. i jog for cardio and lift weights to maintain some level of fitness. good strength to weight ratio is my goal, not brute strength. i'd rather be able to do more pullups and dips than benchpress heavy weights.
being fit definitely makes a difference when shooting, especially if you're running around or changing positions, and supporting your weapon. i can feel it when i'm in shape and when i'm not.
i'm never as fit as i'd like to be - it's a forever moving target.

[Blake]

I just thought that I would mention it. If time is not on your side, and you want a killer workout, that you don't have to lift a bunch of weights, check out Crossfit. It will kick your butt. A lot of folks are doing this workout. It will definitely work you. Often times you don't even pick up a weight. It combines many forms of exercises. There is a website for those interested here.

[JediMindTricks]

Some type of cardio work (running, swimming, cycling), combined with a martial arts regimen(jiu-jitsu, Thai boxing, judo, wrestling, boxing) will keep you in better shape, and more ready/alert than most other routines. If lifting weight, I would recommend explosive movement.

[.308holes]

I was told one morning by an ER doctor, " You being in good shape probably kept you from hurt alot worse or being killed"
I was a beat cop and I was run over by a turd that I had arrested before. In his "apology" letter in Circuit court he stated that "when he saw me he knew I wasn't going to cut him any breaks if I caught him in the stolen car, so he had to get away".
Now I am missing 3 discs in my lumbar spine, and one more on it's way out, and I have degenerative disc disease. BUT, as I said I was hit by a 1996 Dodge Caravan, not while in my cruiser....on foot, in the street.
I was a member of the County SWAT team and we were held to a PT standard and tested twice a year. I served in both an entry capacity early on, later as a sniper. I can tell you it was easier to deal with the long hours of waiting for the "go" on a call out, or being thrown into a do or die situation in a split second, by being in good shape.

I know I was glad to be in good shape having to fight turds on the side of the road because they didn't want to go back to jail....and probably more I didn't have to fight because I looked fit and professional in uniform.

Different point, in my current "retired" gig, there are Federal Agents who are so obese that they can't draw their Sig from a duty holster due to their "excess weight in the waist" or have the physical strength to shoulder an M4 and complete a 60 round qual course.

There in my LE perspective.

[sparrow]

A well respected friend and Operational CF member once told me that Physical and Mental fitness were everything...he said once you start to worry about your own comfort the mission goes out the window...something I now live by daily at home and at work...

[sff70]

One word = CROSSFIT

[Rmplstlskn]

How important is physical fitness? Enough for me to drop out of much of these forums so I have more time at the gym... Some of you who know me and have maybe wondered where I have been, well, getting in shape... And as those who have met me know, I have a long way to go...

So far, I have lost over 30 pounds and my muscle mass has increased as well. I have dramatically changed my eating habits (lots of rabbit food and cut out the bad carbs) and go to the gym for cardio and weight training 3 to 4 times a week (which is why I am not on here as often as I used to). I feel great, I have dropped 4 belt notches and two pants sizes. I am no longer winded on several flights of stairs... Things are looking good!

My goal is to be 100 pounds lighter by Summer 2009. I will then be more confident in participating in some of the training classes then as well. It is a long hard road, and I somtimes wish I was one of those guys that eat anything and never gain a pound, but I feel good and I'm feeling better every set of old clothes I try on that now fit me.

So, no, Rmplstlskn has not fallen of the face of the earth nor have I sold my EBR's and embraced HOPE FOR A CHANGE, and I thought this thread was perfect for saying so and update with my progress...

Rmpl

[SIMPLYDYNAMIC]

rmpl,

That is simply awsome! I am glad for you and I hope you meet your goal...In fact since you have helped me in the past... you meet your goal and you can have free seats in any 2009 Magpul Dynamics classes you wish. Thats my word and all here can be witnesses.

Charge on!

[lindertw]

rmpl,

That is simply awsome! I am glad for you and I hope you meet your goal...In fact since you have helped me in the past... you meet your goal and you can have free seats in any 2009 Magpul Dynamics classes you wish. Thats my word and all here can be witnesses.

Charge on!

right on Travis - go get 'em rmpl