Should I train a day of the week while tired to prepare me for bootcamp? Will this help my body get acclimated or will it just burn me out?

2018-12-24T12:35:31-05:00

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Dec 24 at 2018 12:45 PM

2018-12-24T12:45:46-05:00

Your question needs to be clearer for anyone to advise you. If I did understand it, it is always good to work on fitness, if you do not routinely participate in fitness it is wise to speak to your recruiter, many recruiting stations offer fitness training. Good luck.

Response by SFC Marc W. made Dec 24 at 2018 1:12 PM

2018-12-24T13:12:27-05:00

Honestly, you training yourself when you're tired won't match what you will do in basic. I agree with MSG Private RallyPoint Member that the intent is good, but that good nutrition, training and sleep will help you more than what you think you can push yourself to. In basic, you will HAVE to do things tired, sore and groggy, while now you can just stop anytime you think your body is maxed. Especially going infantry, get your cardio going well, be able to run and back pack; a good strong core and legs will help you immensely there.

Response by CPL Sarah Verity made Dec 24 at 2018 1:21 PM

2018-12-24T13:21:53-05:00

Two days a week, 90 mins each for 9 months. I did push ups until I could do anymore. I did sit-ups until I couldn't do anymore (called "muscle failure"). I trained on Monday's and Thursday's. I did no training the other days. Your body needs time to rebuild the muscle. As for running I did walk-than-sprint for one mile, than walk-then sprint for two miles. I progressed after 6 weeks to my "run until you feel you got to walk" phase. Eventually getting up to a 18-minute two mile, then a 16-minute two mile, than a 14-minute two mile. Then worked on 3-5 mile runs (this burns out recruits in basic the most). Having a wide stride is critical in timing your runs. Small stride will hurt your knees. I trained with my recruiter (who was a green beret that got a silver star) like this for 9 months. I breezed through basic. Only training twice a week at 90 minutes each. Before you leave for basic you should be capable of running for 45 continuous minutes (roughly 5 miles) if you plan to be at the top of the food chain in basic.

Response by Joshua Hockett made Dec 24 at 2018 1:23 PM

2018-12-24T13:23:17-05:00

I agree with many of the others comments already posted. Try your best to prepare for basic by training optimal conditions now when you body is most able and capable of pushing your physical limits and being able to fully adapt and recover from the workouts your doing. Adaptation is the big thing your after be it strength, speed, power or cardio. Allow your body to do this as best it can now so that in basic, your ceiling for physical limits is as high as possible. Now, during basic even when you are tired, groggy, sore, beat, your maximum limits will still be better off than if you had tried to train too often while fatigued and giving less than 100%. Lets not forget than it only takes a few workouts too many when drained, to tread into genuine over-training and now your in the nasty spot of needing 1-2 weeks near complete rest just to rebound back to baseline levels.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 24 at 2018 1:28 PM

2018-12-24T13:28:48-05:00

PVT Private RallyPoint Member Great advice has already been offered regarding fitness, exercise, and rest. In Basic Training, listen closely to what is said and be observant. Have a good attitude, and have the mindset that you can overcome all challenges that you are faced with. Good luck, and please provide us an update when you complete Basic Training.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 24 at 2018 10:45 PM

2018-12-24T22:45:37-05:00

I think most of the answers here steer you in the right direction. Physical fitness isn't just a one time event. Begin now to develop fitness habits that will train and strengthen your body. These are lifestyle principles. I believe that any training that you do now coupled with good nutrition and rest will be prove to be beneficial to your journey. Good luck to you and please provide us with a follow up of your experience!

Response by 1SG Jason Rose made Dec 27 at 2018 9:25 AM

2018-12-27T09:25:53-05:00

Yes train everyday! Every other day should be sufficient. Don’t over do it though or get injured prior to leaving. You are about to start training physically so get your body and mind right before you get there.

Response by PVT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 3 at 2019 5:39 AM

2019-01-03T05:39:21-05:00

I thank you all for your advise and input! Ill be sure to follow up on this post once I attend and complete basic. Happy holidays to you all.

Response by PFC Elijah Rose made Jan 9 at 2019 12:17 PM

2019-01-09T12:17:59-05:00

1. Get in shape.
2. Stay humble.
3. Try and get along with your peers.

Response by SPC Rob Lewis made Aug 13 at 2020 1:25 PM

2020-08-13T13:25:23-04:00

I swam, life guard,wrestled and had a job push mowing yards and bike riding for a paper route before I left for basic and it was still a gut punch in the 80's.

Response by Sgt Dale Briggs made Aug 13 at 2020 6:59 PM

2020-08-13T18:59:18-04:00

Run and do pull-ups and pushups. Rinse and repeat twice a day. Get a haircut, show up in white T shirt and clean jeans at AFES to boot, that’s it. Forget the AC/DC shirts and beards.

Response by Sgt Dale Briggs made Aug 19 at 2021 2:08 PM

2021-08-19T14:08:01-04:00

I’d run and run and run some more, then I’d do push-ups and pull-ups multiple time a day. I’d do as many as I could focusing on doing them right. If you do it wrong you burn energy and they won’t count it. I wish I had that advice in the day , I did none of the above and ended up in Parris Island in July, Aug, Sept, and it was hottttttttt, and humid. You don’t just sweat you just emit a thick goo starting at chow time, just walking to chow was a sweat fest.

Response by Sgt Dale Briggs made Aug 21 at 2021 9:21 AM

2021-08-21T09:21:31-04:00

The only thing I did pre boot was bend my elbow in a bar lifting Budweisers up to my face. That was probably a mistake :) but I survived easy enough.