Train Like a Trooperby Michele Cheplic | More from this Blogger 21 Jun 2009 10:00 PM Do you know what it takes to train for a job in the military? If you thought your fitness regime was intense, consider what potential pilots for the U.S. Air Force must endure. A fascinating new public release distributed by the Armed Forces details the Air Force's new fitness program. Just looking at it made me sweat, never mind actually having to complete it. According to the Air Force's chief of fitness policy, the pilot's exercise routine stresses the need for intense cardio workouts. "Aerobic fitness is the best indicator of current and future health risk, followed by body composition," said Lt. Col. Scott Arcuri. As a result, the Air Force's new fitness test requires participants to run 1.5 miles as fast as they can, then complete a series of strength exercises. According to current testing procedures, a 35 year-old male would receive maximum points on the Air Force's fitness test if he ran the 1.5-mile course in less than 9:48 (approximately 6:30 pace). For the strength tests, he needs to complete more than 52 push ups in less than one minute and more than 50 crunches in that same amount of time. Meanwhile, a 35 year-old woman would receive maximum points for running the test in less than 11:54 (7:55 pace). She also needs to complete more than 30 push ups in less than one minute and more than 40 crunches in the same amount of time. How many of us (regardless of age) could accomplish that? I know for a fact I would fail the Air Force's fitness test, and I've completed three marathons. Interestingly, Lt. Col. Arcuri says by making the test requirements public it shows that creating a clear, understandable and simple fitness plan is not hard. What's more, he says the basic components of the Air Force's plan can be used effectively by anyone who doesn't want to invest time and energy completing a complicated training plan. By running and doing push-ups and crunches, exercisers involve all of the major muscle groups, reduce weight and improve body composition. Easy, right? Do you think you could pass the Air Force's fitness test? Related Articles: Something is Better Than Nothing Creating an Affordable Fitness Plan Bad Things Happen When You Stop Going to the Gym Learn more about Michele Cheplic  Michele Cheplic was born and raised in Hilo, Hawaii, but now lives in Wisconsin. Michele graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in Journalism. Relevantfitness tags pregnancy | relationships | Kids | parenting | ideas | children | weight loss | family | Food | holidays User Comments Samual (11722) 22 Jun 2009 05:21 AMHere you train with your regiment for quite a long time before you take any fitness tests, you don't even need your medical to be completed by then. Here we have the OTC as well where you train for three years before you apply to enter any of the UK forces along side university, or you can train for two years at college before you apply to enter. So most people here have done the fitness test multiple times before they do the one that counts.  Michele Cheplic |
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