Military people I need your help

prettyfitchick

ok So I leave for basic training for the Navy Jan 4 and my co woker who was drill sergant told me I need to stop working out 2 weeks before going I cant really imagne giving my self that much time off I have been trying pretty hard and I am still not where I want to be yet but I have came along way I went from not being able to run or do push ups to being able to run 2.5 miles in 30 min and I am not excaty sure were I am at on push but I think I can do a good 30 of them in 2 min but I still need to work on my form situps I can do easy So What do guys think?? I really want to finsh my Insanity program before going

joejccva71

I was in Air Force EOD for 6 years, and I can't really agree with the drill sergeant there.

Now I know Air Force boot camp and Navy isn't the same. Air Force is pretty slack on the physical training part, but still I didn't stop working out before I went in.

It's ok to take a short break, but I wouldn't take 2 weeks off.

Bonny272

Just don't make yourself sore before you go and get lost of sleep.

prettyfitchick

I was in Air Force EOD for 6 years, and I can't really agree with the drill sergeant there.

Now I know Air Force boot camp and Navy isn't the same. Air Force is pretty slack on the physical training part, but still I didn't stop working out before I went in.

It's ok to take a short break, but I wouldn't take 2 weeks off.

was basic as hard as you imgained it to be?

fitnatic67

I agree with joe in that i wouldn't take 2 whole weeks off. i work with a few navy guys so i'm familiar with the physical training in comparison with my air force training and they are pretty similar with the exception of the things that are navy specific. either way, continuing your workouts right up until the day prior to you leaving is probably your best bet.

Andylee63

I was in the forces for 20yrs..
Basically get as fit as you can before you go...

Football_N_Guns

I was in Air Force EOD for 6 years, and I can't really agree with the drill sergeant there.

Now I know Air Force boot camp and Navy isn't the same. Air Force is pretty slack on the physical training part, but still I didn't stop working out before I went in.

It's ok to take a short break, but I wouldn't take 2 weeks off.

was basic as hard as you imgained it to be?

No, but I did mine 20 years ago and much of it has changed since then. Probably easier now. I also disagree with stopping two weeks prior to leaving for boot camp.

sjkcarter

I was in the air force so I don't know if its the same, but just make sure you don't go under the weight requirement or they will make you wait to start.

prettyfitchick

I was in the air force so I don't know if its the same, but just make sure you don't go under the weight requirement or they will make you wait to start.

oh I am not worried about that I would have to be below the 120s and I am still in the 140s I began try to lose weight becuse I had actually hit my max of 160 while waiting to go to basic

bstamps12

I would think this is similar to tapering before a marathon. The marathon is really hard so you don't want to be sore and hurting when you run the marathon, so you only do light work outs the 2-3 weeks before the marathon. It may be that the PT is so intense there that you really will feel better (at least the first few days) having rested your muscles for a little while. That said, after the first week or so at basic, you'll likely be very sore all over no matter what you do now.

erxkeel

LOL Basic isnt what it used to be, 2 weeks off? I think he's incorrect. a few days? ok. It's more head game than physical in Navy Basic. And how are you in the cold? Yikes! Greak Lakes IL in the winter? Brutal.

-20 Navy Vet.

horndave

Army guy here. Keep doing your workouts. It is not going to hurt you to keep working out. Once you get to basic training you want to be in the best shape possible to meet the phsyical demands. Insanity workouts help.

Currently in Great Lakes. Brutal cold dring the winter.

armaretta

I'd keep working out a little, but don't let yourself get sore or injured right before you go. They'll make you wait if you get hurt before you go. Don't worry about not being where you want to be yet, you'll lose plenty and get more fit during basic.

3dogsrunning

I would think this is similar to tapering before a marathon. The marathon is really hard so you don't want to be sore and hurting when you run the marathon, so you only do light work outs the 2-3 weeks before the marathon. It may be that the PT is so intense there that you really will feel better (at least the first few days) having rested your muscles for a little while. That said, after the first week or so at basic, you'll likely be very sore all over no matter what you do now.

That is exactly what I was going to say. Cut back on how hard you are working, but keep doing something. You would be surprised how beneficial rest is. You won't lose fitness that quickly. Maybe take a couple of days rest before you leave.

Good luck!

bhalter

That's weird. My sister did her fitness routine right up to getting ready for bootcamp. She said it made it a lot easier because she was used to working out every day. I would think taking a 2-week break would make your PT more difficult because your body got re-accustomed to not exercising.

prettyfitchick

I am So afraid of the Cold I noticed my runs are much harder In the cold and Tn winter is fall compared to the Great Lakes

Angie80281

Thank him for his advice and then disregard it. I spent 8 years in the Navy, and I don't see how working out right up until boot camp can do any harm. I think you're going to do great compared to those people (like me) who show up to boot camp out of shape and unable to run. If you were used to running great distances or lifting heavy weights, I might tell you to taper off (but not stop) a couple weeks prior, but it sounds like you're right on track. Good luck with your new journey in life, and thank you for your willingness to serve. If you have any questions about boot camp or the Navy in general, feel free to add me or message me. I went to boot camp in '99 and got out in '07.

~Angie

dngortegae

Hi there. I was in the Army for 10 years. I do not agree with what you were told at all. Keep working out. You will be better off when you get there. Many people are use to doing nothing when they join, so you are already ahead of the game! Keep up he hard work.

As for the Navy's PT test, I think you have to complete a swim. So you might want to take up swimming for the next two weeks. You could drop everything and go with just swimming since it is a total body work out. Google: Navy fitness test. This will help you see where you need to be for your age.

JThomas61

Retired Air Force First Sgt here, did 25 years, and will say your drill instructor is dead wrong, keep working out! You will be glad you did.

cruiseking

Congratulation on choosing a noble career. I would work out up until the time you leave. I was in The Marine Corps, and the first week is full of intimidation, paperwork, intimidation, uniform issue, more intimidation, and not a ton of exercise. When the exercise began, it was like an avalanche coming down. You'll need all the prep time you can get. Congratulations, and thank you for choosing to serve us.

BenderFitness

I don't think that's correct. As other's said just don't go in exhausted or life will be way harder on you. One of my best friends is in the Navy and he told me how many situps, pushups, etc women have to do. I can't remember it off the top of my head, but I am sure you can look it up online.

I know you are already good with the running, and I think you're fine with the other stuff too, but it's good to know you can handle it going in.

laughingnome

I would say keep doing what you are doing and THANK YOU for your service..Good luck

FrostyBev

I am So afraid of the Cold I noticed my runs are much harder In the cold and Tn winter is fall compared to the Great Lakes

As a former Marine I would say stay with whatever routine you have and don't add anything new. I would continue to work out till the day you leave. Rest is important and should already be a part of your routine. With the exception of rest for injury taking off more then 2-3 days will impact "the feel" of your fitness in a negative way. It's important to be physically prepared for your training; however, they aren't going to expect you to be able to pass a full PFT (Physical Fitness Test) right at the beginning.

Don't fear the weather, you won't be the first trainee they have from a warmer climate and you won't be the last. The expectation of adaption to your new training environment is built into most the services boot training. I would suggest you do a tiny bit of research of running technique in cold environments. There might be some differences from your current technique.

Congratulations on your decision to join. It won't be a short journey but it is definitely one worth taking.

gtwin

Former Marine here....don't listen to him, he has no idea what he's talking about. I ran right up until the night before I was sent to MEPS to be shipped off to boot camp. And trust me, all the running and training helped me tremendously!! There were other recruits who hadn't been training and they had a miserable time....not to mention, the DI's were much harder on them because of their lack of effort and stamina. Having that endurance and preparation will be one less thing you'll have to stress about in boot camp. Then again you're going in to the Navy, can't imagine it would be as difficult as the Marines' boot camp. :-)

prettyfitchick

Thanks guys for all the advice I read every word of it It sounds like I just need to keeping doing what I am already doing

Sam_Hain

Two weeks? I'd say no. Besides the fact that you start losing what you worked for after 72 hours (if the rumors are to be believe), it's also good to help with any kind of stress over being yanked out of your happy carefree life. But then I'm in the Air Force and we didn't even have a PT program until 7 years ago and people are just NOW starting to take it serious. Think that's prob because they put it on the performance reports.

Anyway, keep on working but I have to agree with Frosty as far as sticking to your routine. You don't want to be stupid sore your first few days of basic. Keep positive and remember that they can't kill you, they can only make you really uncomfortable. It's a temporary situation. Once it's over you'll look back and go, "That was it? Really?"

Loverj79

i agree with what everyone is saying. keep working out just dont add anything. and these are the PRT standards http://www.navy-prt.com/ really hope this helps you. cause it helped me. i got out 5 years ago and now trying to get back in. and i was and am going back in the Navy!

bcampbell54

My wife was a boot at Great Lakes in the winter time, just a few years ago, and she hopes you like snow (and cold). Good news is you won't run outside, you'll be in a drill hall.
She can't imagine what your drill sergeant friend meant, but you are in a good place as far as the running is-keep it up.
She doesn't remember the other fitness requirements, but you sound like you are on track.
Stay rested from now until then.
Eat before you leave the MEP station, because there will be no time at O'Hare.

Keep a clear head, for the psychological part, remember it's not real.
Good luck, and many thanks for your service to our country,

bcampbell54

My wife was a boot at Great Lakes in the winter time, just a few years ago, and she hopes you like snow (and cold). Good news is you won't run outside, you'll be in a drill hall.
She can't imagine what your drill sergeant friend meant, but you are in a good place as far as the running is-keep it up.
She doesn't remember the other fitness requirements, but you sound like you are on track.
Stay rested from now until then.
Eat before you leave the MEP station, because there will be no time at O'Hare.

Keep a clear head, for the psychological part, remember it's not real.
Good luck, and many thanks for your service to our country,

sailin4her

I have been in the Navy almost 12 years now and I will be the first to say BOOT cAMP IS A JOKE!! LOL Very very very slack on the pt side of things running is the hardest thing you do there and its not like you run for ever either. just keep doing your routine and you will do great !!!!

SabrinaJL

As for the Navy's PT test, I think you have to complete a swim.

I'm not so sure about that one. My husband has been in the Navy for 17 years and has known a lot of sailors who can't swim, which completely baffles me. I'd think if you were gonna join the Navy, that'd be something you'd really want to learn before you were on a ship in the middle of the ocean. lol