37 replies to this topic

[TheUrbanJedi]

Forutnately SYP don't have a fitness test as part of their recruitment process

And? That does not mean you have no responsibility to yourself and colleagues to maintain some basic level of ability of fitness. Fighting with someone on the floor for 20 seconds can knacker you out. Running 100 yards at full pelt to assist a colleague or MoP can knacker you out. Just because a force has no fitness test does not mean they will accept those who are unable to fulfil the role. You can be sacked at any time in your probationary period if you do not come up to scratch, and this will include a total inability to engage in basic physical exertion which is involved in being a cop, certainly (if not more so) in your first 2 years.

[Gallifrey]

And? That does not mean you have no responsibility to yourself and colleagues to maintain some basic level of ability of fitness. Fighting with someone on the floor for 20 seconds can knacker you out. Running 100 yards at full pelt to assist a colleague or MoP can knacker you out. Just because a force has no fitness test does not mean they will accept those who are unable to fulfil the role. You can be sacked at any time in your probationary period if you do not come up to scratch, and this will include a total inability to engage in basic physical exertion which is involved in being a cop, certainly (if not more so) in your first 2 years.

I picked up on that comment as well and wasn't going to comment on it but I have to say UrbanJedi I completely agree with your comments, it does worry me that people think because there is no fitness test they don't need to make any effort

[Rich-Allen]

I picked up on that comment as well and wasn't going to comment on it but I have to say UrbanJedi I completely agree with your comments, it does worry me that people think because there is no fitness test they don't need to make any effort

Um, thank you for glossing over my second comment

I know I need to work on my general fitness, and I plan on doing so, I train heavily in Karate once a week (used to be twice but I had to give up Friday nights recently due to work commitments), and I'm going to start going swimming more often, every bit helps as they say.

And yes I am applying again, attending recruitment presentation on Wednesday at Niagara Sports and Social Club.

Edited by Rich-Allen, 14 February 2010 - 08:00 PM.

[Gallifrey]

Um, thank you for glossing over my second comment

I know I need to work on my general fitness, and I plan on doing so, I train heavily in Karate once a week (used to be twice but I had to give up Friday nights recently due to work commitments), and I'm going to start going swimming more often, every bit helps as they say.

And yes I am applying again, attending recruitment presentation on Wednesday at Niagara Sports and Social Club.

I would seriously consider phoning their occupational health and running the things you've mentioned on here by them, just I would hate to see you waste time and effort on a non starter. I think there's a few things that you need to bring to their attention and they'll be honest with you. I hate to say it I don't think you'll meet the medical standards but thats not my decision.

Edited by Gallifrey, 14 February 2010 - 08:59 PM.

[Miss 'cherry flip']

it does worry me that people think because there is no fitness test they don't need to make any effort
[/quote]

Yep I agree.
I still train nearly everyday although recently finding Norfolk has no fitness test, I wouldnt dream of serving in the force and not being relatively fit. Not only for the benefit of colleagues but for me too. And besides, its bloody good for you!

[Gallifrey]

The CV bit is at a low level so even if you don't have a fitness test you should be aiming to exceed that and likewise with the dynamic strength part pushing / pulling 34/35 kg is do able by everyone with some training.

Edited by Gallifrey, 14 February 2010 - 11:27 PM.

[PMB]

I'm working on my muscles now, in hand with my dumbbells every day, checked my BMI though.. not good apparently for my height, any quick tips on becomming fatter?

[derbyspecial]

I'm working on my muscles now, in hand with my dumbbells every day, checked my BMI though.. not good apparently for my height, any quick tips on becomming fatter?

Pizza, kebabs, takeaway etc...worked for me

[Nicholas_Angel]

any quick tips on becomming fatter?

Too put it simply; eat more. Start off eating an extra 500 calories per day, on top of what your body needs normally. Make sure that you're getting enough protein in.

In addition, get enough sleep and lift weights.

What routine/exercises are you doing with the dumbbells & how often?

[jazz_fan9]

There's another training programme here:
Royal Marines - Get fit to apply

Actually getting fit/losing weight is relatively easy, the trouble is keeping fit and keeping the weight off when you reach your goal, it becomes incredibly easy to start to feel comfortable in your new self and stop working out and eating more. One way to do this is to take part in competitive sport, which gives overcomes the hurdle to stop training, but I know as well as anyone how hard it was to get into my schedule on top of full time work and doing as many hours as I could as a special.

[SPD]

There's another training programme here:
Royal Marines - Get fit to apply

Actually getting fit/losing weight is relatively easy, the trouble is keeping fit and keeping the weight off when you reach your goal, it becomes incredibly easy to start to feel comfortable in your new self and stop working out and eating more. One way to do this is to take part in competitive sport, which gives overcomes the hurdle to stop training, but I know as well as anyone how hard it was to get into my schedule on top of full time work and doing as many hours as I could as a special.

Agree with that one Jazz.

I have done the Marine Log run a number of times in the past 20 years down at Lympstone and i know now that despite my modest level of fitness, i could still complete it today, it's all about determination and focus. Last time we did it, the challenge was catch up to the Major and 'off him' into a big puddle to get the beer - Guess who go to him first he got well dunked -that sand stains everything, but he paid the bar bill that night as was custom.

[WindSwept]

Another important thing to keep an eye on is if you train regularly (i like to do weights one day cardio the next all week) if you have to miss a day for some commitment there is a temptation to cut down on how much you eat that day because you feel like your only maintaining your fitness by the exercise/food balance, if you miss the exercise you want to cut out the food to compensate. A common problem that isn't any good for you at all.

The key is to eat healty and exercise regularly, making sure to keep them distincintly seperate. Simply not eating kebabs is not going to get you healthy and fit, the same as cycling everyday and having takeaway everynight is not going to help you either.

[derbyspecial]

Another important thing to keep an eye on is if you train regularly (i like to do weights one day cardio the next all week) if you have to miss a day for some commitment there is a temptation to cut down on how much you eat that day because you feel like your only maintaining your fitness by the exercise/food balance, if you miss the exercise you want to cut out the food to compensate. A common problem that isn't any good for you at all.

The key is to eat healty and exercise regularly, making sure to keep them distincintly seperate. Simply not eating kebabs is not going to get you healthy and fit, the same as cycling everyday and having takeaway everynight is not going to help you either.

Depends on how much exercise you do as well. During basic for the Army, I was eating rubbish - in quite large portions! Whenever a healthier option was on the table I would go for that, but often we were last in the cookhouse and ended up with pizza, chips, sausages, curries and generally less healthy options. I was also snacking on chocolate bars and sweets during the evening. Since we were being run ragged most days, with PT for at least a couple of hours each day, I was shedding weight at a pretty rapid rate!
But yeah, a little exercise daily and rubbish food isn't going to be of any benefit. I suspect it may be worse because people may think 'oh, well I go for a half hour jog every few days, this chocolate cake will just get burned straight off!' and justify eating more rubbish because they do some exercise. My wife is terrible for that!