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Subject: Fitness tips for various ops
Herc the Merc    9/7/2007 2:08:45 AM
???? from desert to underwater
 
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Bluewings12       9/7/2007 10:10:50 AM
Running , running , running ...

Cheers .

 
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Jeff_F_F       9/7/2007 10:25:19 AM
running to prepare for underwater ops? The human body adapts in specific ways to the demands imposed upon it. Runninig gets you ready for... running. Not for climbing, not for swimming, not for fighting. not for sprinting (assuming you are running long distance it actually *decreases* your sprint performance), not for jumping. Just for running.
 
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GOP       9/7/2007 12:10:45 PM

running to prepare for underwater ops? The human body adapts in specific ways to the demands imposed upon it. Runninig gets you ready for... running. Not for climbing, not for swimming, not for fighting. not for sprinting (assuming you are running long distance it actually *decreases* your sprint performance), not for jumping. Just for running.


Exactly. Basically, specificity is gonna be your best bet. Alot of guys/small units in SOF Teams (at least, here in the states) use Crossfit for GPP, and then also do their more specific workouts like swimming/rucking/etc. Mainly because crossfit is excellent for GPP and overall fitness and pretty easy on the CNS.
Most units have advanced beyond the old school way of "Bodyweight exercises + LSD" and onto more advanced, modern, effective methods.
 
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Herc the Merc    how do prepare for this??   9/7/2007 5:11:06 PM
>>
 
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GOP       9/7/2007 6:30:51 PM

>>


By rucking, swimming, climbing, rappelling, etc etc. I mean, PT programs work. GPP seems to be the new hot word in the military community (regarding fitness), but it has been around for years really.
 
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smitty237    Are those pigs I see flying?   9/7/2007 8:21:55 PM

Running , running , running ...



Cheers .


For once I'm going to have to agree with my French buddy, BlueWings.  You have to run.  A lot. Everyday.  I would recommend starting at a mile or so and working your way up to as far as your schedule will permit.  This will build up your leg strength and endurance.  As far as other exercises go, push ups are probably the most underrated exercise out there.  They build upper body and arm strength, which are critical for most special ops work.  I would also throw in sit ups, crunches, flutter kicks, and others.  If you have access to a swimming pool or lake, I would also recommend swimming a couple times a week or more if possible.  Just don't skimp on the running. 

 
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Bluewings12       9/7/2007 8:42:35 PM
It is so easy to spot the real people like smitty , they know :-)
Running is the "A" and the "Z" to fitness training . Without it , you 're not going to last long . In the SPECOPS (from desert to underwater) what you need is endurance , then endurance again . Squash or beach volley will get you nowhere .
The 2nd best training is long distance swimming , closely followed by pumping iron , then more running .

If you do not believe me , well ... you 're gonna get on your knees soon .

Cheers .

 
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GOP       9/7/2007 9:36:07 PM
I agree with you guys regarding running and swimming, they are the back bone of SOF fitness. However, if you focus on that and bodyweight exercises, then you are going to be lacking in so many areas. Maximal strength, power, speed, anaerobic conditioning, balance, coordination, and flexibility (and possibly bodyfat percentage) will all be somewhat lacking. Theres a reason that guys are doing workouts like found at and , it's because they are extremely effective at combat conditioning.
 
Here's a link to "What is fitness PDF" at the crossfit website: http://www.crossfit.com/cf-info/what-fitness.html
 
Most guys I have heard of in SOF units who do CF do the WOD (GPP), then add in their long distance runs and long distance swims (SPP). Thats what I'm doing, and it's working great.
 
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Bluewings12       9/7/2007 10:33:19 PM
GOP :
""you are going to be lacking in so many areas. Maximal strength, power, speed, anaerobic conditioning, balance, coordination, and flexibility (and possibly bodyfat percentage) will all be somewhat lacking.""
lol , that is funny ! GOP , I 'm not teasing you ;-) it is really funny !

You talk like a general fitness book , but the truth is far simpler : without big lungs , you 'll get catched .
Everybody can dive fast behind a wall , lift 120 pounds and carry it for 10 yards or hold his breath for 30 seconds .
But that 's not the requirement . You must do better than that if you go SPECOPS .
1) Maximal strengh :
This is good but you will always find someone stronger than you .
2) Power :
In which sense ? Jumping , fighting ? Inner strengh ?..
3) Speed :
A bullet is faster than you . Don 't be fast , be hidden .
4)
anaerobic conditioning :
Running , swimming , running , etc ...
5) Balance :
All SF are practicing martial arts ~whatever it is~ and the balance is the basic of all martial arts .
6) Coordination :
(see martial arts)
7) Flexibility :
(see martial arts)

GOP , practice a good martial art , run and swim as far as you can and you 'll be a winner .

Cheers .
 
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GOP       9/7/2007 11:38:50 PM

GOP :

""you are going to be
lacking in so many areas. Maximal strength, power, speed, anaerobic
conditioning, balance, coordination, and flexibility (and possibly
bodyfat percentage) will all be somewhat lacking.""

lol , that is funny ! GOP , I 'm not teasing you ;-) it is really funny !



You talk like a general fitness book , but the truth is far simpler : without big lungs , you 'll get catched .

Everybody can dive fast behind a wall , lift 120 pounds and carry it for 10 yards or hold his breath for 30 seconds .

But that 's not the requirement . You must do better than that if you go SPECOPS .

1) Maximal strengh :

This is good but you will always find someone stronger than you .

2) Power :

In which sense ? Jumping , fighting ? Inner strengh ?..

3) Speed :

A bullet is faster than you . Don 't be fast , be hidden .

4)
anaerobic
conditioning :

Running , swimming , running , etc ...

5) Balance :

All SF are practicing martial arts ~whatever it is~ and the balance is the basic of all martial arts .

6) Coordination :

(see martial arts)

7) Flexibility :

(see martial arts)



GOP , practice a good martial art , run and swim as far as you can and you 'll be a winner .



Cheers .


 
You have oversimplified things greatly. Seriously, you make it out like all you have to do is be able to run 10 miles and swim 2 miles and you are good to go.
 
Strength is completely necessary. It enables you to run faster, jump higher, fight better, and be an overall more powerful operator.
 
Power is completely necessary. See above ^.
 
Speed is completely necessary. I can't believe you don't see that. Running to and from cover, chasing down bad guys, etc. Come on, you should know this. I'm obviously not suggesting you try to run from a bullet.
 
Anaerobic conditioning is completely necessary. Running long distance is not gonna hit your anaerobic system very much, it will hit your aerobic system heavily though. Examples of anaerobic conditioning is 5x400m sprints, 10x100m swim sprints, etc.
 
Coordination, balance and Flexibility are great, and I take Brazilian Jiujitsu, Muay Thai kickboxing, wrestling, and boxing. However, those things alone will not ellicit enough of a change in those things by theirselves. Trust me, I know.
 
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