Preparing For Physical Fitness & Endurance Of Marine Boot Camp

The rigors of boot camp for the Marines involves a lot of physical conditioning and testing. If you are considering enlistment in the military, it is crucial for you to enter boot camp in the best physical shape possible. Being unable to perform the initial strength test and physical fitness tests to standard during boot camp will set you back on your graduation date and, quite possibly, could get you booted out of boot camp. 

Your recruiter will expect you to participate in poolee functions prior to your ship date, which includes physical fitness training and evaluations on a regular basis. However, you should also work on strengthening and conditioning on your own during the time leading up to your ship date. Here's how to get the most out of your workouts. 

Have Physiological Testing Done  

Physiological tests evaluate your aerobic and anaerobic power, as well as your flexibility and strength. The results of the tests can help you determine what you need to work on the most in order to achieve the results necessary to not only pass the physical fitness tests but also to power through the rigors of lugging around the heavy MOLLE pack (modular lightweight load-carrying equipment) on long distance marches. Schedule physiological testing through a physical fitness trainer and have them evaluate your test results and develop a physical fitness training regimen to help you achieve your goals. 

Prepare for Physical Fitness in Boot Camp 

In boot camp, you will be expected to wake up very early and go through physical fitness training on an empty stomach. Therefore, get used to doing this beforehand by refraining from drinking shakes or eating nutrition bars pre-workout. Also, you will be limited in calories during boot camp, so start getting accustomed to this by counting your calories and consuming less than your body needs, which will also help you to lose weight so you can be sure to be under the weight limitations of the military. And of course, avoid alcohol and tobacco products as you will not be able to use them while in boot camp. 

It's important to realize that, in addition to physical conditioning throughout boot camp, you'll also undergo what is called incentive training or IT for short. This is an effective tool that is used by drill instructors to, essentially, give recruits an incentive to avoid bad behaviors. Incentive training is an intense, immediate focus on exercises including crunches, mountain climbers, push-ups, and running in place. Incentive training can take place at any time, day or night.