How Important Is Physical Fitness?

[John Frazer]

One word = CROSSFIT

Yes, or variants of it.

I'm skinny and weak -- genetically and because I never worked out until I was 30. Recognizing that strength deficit, my own plan is a combination of --

1. Heavy barbell work -- go to www.startingstrength.com for the primo "how to" book; and

2. Coach Rutherford of CrossFit Kansas City (www.coachrut.blogspot.com). His three workouts a week tend to be less equipment-dependent than those on the CrossFit homepage. If you've got a pullup bar, someplace to run, and a few pairs of dumbbells, you're good to go for at least 2/3 of his workouts.

The mindset benefits of squeezing out that last heavy barbell squat, or running that last 400m when you're smoked from dumbbell clean & jerks, can't be overstated.

[bsimpson]

The first time I had to return fire I had just done a full kit climb into a guard tower were my buddy had taken a bullet to the neck and face. My kit + aid bag is no f'n joke and it was hard to just get up there and then I had to engage and kill the enemy. Physical fitness is not just a nice addition to good shooting its the other half of the equation.

[28_days]

Here are some good resources for those looking to get in shape.

http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/1rm.htm
http://startingstrength.wikia.com/wi..._to_workout.3F
http://newbie-fitness.blogspot.com/2...ipped-5x5.html
http://www.exrx.net/Testing/WeightLi...hStandards.htm

[strambo]

For military and "tactical" LE, it is important due to weight of gear and likely hood of sustained operations. For civilians, not so much from a standpoint of just looking at a violent situation by itself, as long as you are still very mobile. Obviously, someone morbidly obese will be too slow. A self-defense situation is only going to last a few seconds to a couple minutes max (the actual struggle).

For health reasons, staying in decent shape is vital. Not dying early of disease, quality of life, confidence, joint health, energy, etc... are the most important reasons to be in shape. You don't have to be a fitness nut. Some strength and/or cardio for 15-45 min per session 3X per week is plenty. When I'm really busy, I manage to fit in one workout per week, this is just enough to basically maintain what I have.

[Mr.Goodtimes]

I workout five to six times a week. I believe physical fitness is crucial for everyone. God gave us all a body, we should make everything out of it we can. And it could just save your life one day. If you got into a struggle with a perpetrator whose more likely to win? the potato chip eating lard butt or the guy that can run four miles in 24 min and then do 150 pushups straight? my bet aint on potato head.

Heres my workout if anyone is interested, Im gettin ready for the military but this would work well for anyone.

Mon/Wed/Fri
2 Mile run (shoot for 6min miles)
300 Pushups (sets of 50-55)
300 Crunches (sets of 50-100)
50 ish pullups (one set of twenty, then sets of twelve)
Standing shoulder presses (4x12)
Bent over rows (bar bell) (4x12)
Bent over dumbbell flys (4x12)
Dumbbell Bench press (2x12)
Incline Dumbbell Bench press (2x12)
Dumbbell Pull overs (3x12)


Tues/Thurs/Sat
Run 3miles (shoot for 6min miles)
Swim 1 Mile (shoot for 7min 500m)

Thats the workout ive been doing as of lately, my running still needs improvement, i just started running recently. When i decided to start getting ready for the military i started swimming and kept putting off running cause i hate it, and about a month ago i started up again. So the running is still growing until its 6miles a day, six times a week.

-Ryan

[Iraq Ninja]

Here are my observations based on all the free gym time I get from Uncle Sam.

First of all, crossfit is a killer workout. It really defines what fitness is.

Fitness is not just pumping iron and doing some cardio. I see lots of strong fat people in the gym. I don't want that. I don't want to get bigger. I have a hard enough time cramming my body and kit into a land cruiser as it is. I want to be a smaller target, not a bigger one.

Besides crossfit, check out the POSE running method. Your knees will thank you.

This year, our company introduced a new fitness standard. It is probably the toughest in the industry. 2 miles in under 21:30. The catch is that this includes your vest/armor, helmet, rifle, ammo, and boots. About 55 pounds total. At first I thought it was a stupid idea, but I have grown to appreciate it. People who failed it were given one month to pass it, or they were fired. Some could not even finish the 2 miles without quitting. Run two miles with your kit and weapon and you will know it well. You will know if your kit is set up correctly.

Then there is the use of steroids in a war zone.... just plain stupid IMHO.

[Mr.Goodtimes]

steroids are retarted. once your off them the edge in taking them is eliminated. everything starts going down hill from there, slowly, but surely. steroids shut down your natural testosterone production and then you get to play the whole game of getting them back up with a whole list of other drugs. their not worth it. i dont wanna screw with my hormones.

Edit: i cant imagine running a 10min mile with 55 lbs on... ill have to try it lol... that seems like a good end of the week self inflicted torture session!

[WillBrink]

As far as a civilian self defense situation, I would tend to think it would be more likely to use a firearm while CCW in public, than in the home. Couldn't provide a study or statistics, just seems reasonable to me.

To resurrect this thread: I think civilians under estimate how important being in at least minimally fit condition is to their success in a confrontation. Not counting all the obvious stuff from keeping a minimal level of fitness (reductions in disease rates, etc) what do most fire arms instructors advise civilians to do if possible? Run! I'm amazed at the guys I see at the range who could not run 100ft. I'm not a great runner myself, but I could run a few blocks away from trouble if I had to. What if a person, your kid or your wife was injured, can the person get them over a shoulder and out of harms way? Maintaining at least a minimal fitness level is essential to all tasks of survival like simplu shoving someone out of your way to break and run, or get some distance, or retain a weapon, etc.

For a civilian, I would say it would not be all that neccesary to be able to be in peak pysical condition. That being said, keeping fit is a very positive endeavor for any reason. In my opinion, for a civilian the most important factor outside of actual firearms training, or maybe equal to it is having the proper "mindset" and "mean streak" capable of transitioning from a mundane everyday life to being capable of killing another human being. I also think the better your physical condition,the better your mental state in a stressful situation.

All true. You will note of course the higher you go up the food chain the better conditioning you will find, where at the very top, you have guys who are close to world level triathletes who carry gear and guns. There's no level on the food chain where not having at least a minimal level of fitness (obviously taking into account age, injuries, etc) is an acceptable state to be in for those who carry firearms, much less expect to be functional for every day tasks.

[Kaos]

It's my goal this year to really lose some weight, Im at damn near 300 right now.

I'll keep you guys updated as I go. I started eating healthier and watching what im eating about two to three weeks ago and have lost 3 pounds with no exercise thrown in.

Im going to start running again like I used to.

Initial goal is down to 280, and then from there 260 etc etc. Keeping reachable goals in reasonable timeframes will help as a progress and confidence booster.

I can shoot well (wish I'd have taken some pictures from our IPSC-rifle practice last week...holes touching on 3 targets while shooting on the move)...but Im winded even after a few short runs.

[WillBrink]

It's my goal this year to really lose some weight, Im at damn near 300 right now.

I'll keep you guys updated as I go. I started eating healthier and watching what im eating about two to three weeks ago and have lost 3 pounds with no exercise thrown in.

Im going to start running again like I used to.

Initial goal is down to 280, and then from there 260 etc etc. Keeping reachable goals in reasonable timeframes will help as a progress and confidence booster.

I can shoot well (wish I'd have taken some pictures from our IPSC-rifle practice last week...holes touching on 3 targets while shooting on the move)...but Im winded even after a few short runs.

Kaos, take a look at my article The Big Picture of Permanent Weight Loss. It covers the macro issues that will lead to Permanent weight loss, because you don't wanna do it twice!

See:

http://www.brinkzone.com/articledeta...atid=3&aid=102

PS, sounds like you are making the right first steps. However, running at 300lbs after not doing that for some time, will increase potential for injuries, etc. I would walk, lift weights, stationary bikes, etc, and get some weight off before jumping onto the road and running which is hard on the knees and other joints in the best of conditions. Just ask all those ex Rangers with the bad knees, backs, and hips....Good luck.