[Redemptor]

Ok so as some of you know I recently left to join the Canadian Forces. Interestingly enough I now find myself back at home. How can this be? you might ask. I will tell you, but first let me tell you the requirements for entry into the canadian forces.

First, you must be 16 or older and have grade 10 at the minimum. My Status : 23 years of age, and some university.

Second, you must be of sound body and mind. My Status: Aptitude test pretty much cleared me for any job including officer and i had no major physical health deficiancies(sp?).

Third, you must pass an interview by a recruitment officer. My Status: passed

Finally, you must pass a pt test. This pt test is not administered at or near your recruitment center but rather it is administered the second day of basic training... in Quebec. My status:
Beep test: Level 4 (Level 6 required to continue training, Level 3.5 to go into remidial fitness training offered on base.)
Handgrip test: 106 pounds of force on both hands combined. (out of a required 75)
Sit ups: 25 (out of a required 19)
Push ups: 0... yes 0 push ups, out of a required 19. I should say 0 pushups with the required form. I put out 25 push ups, not a single one counted. If I had gotten even 4 to count, then I would have been able to go into remedial fitness training.

As I was unable to meet the requirements for the pushups I got sent home. I didnt get sent home immediately, instead I was placed in a seperate platoon for two weeks while they processed my file and arranged my flight home.

Essentially what this means is that I need to try again, and this time I'm gonna blow it out of the water. Wish me luck, I have 6 months to get into shape, and now I know what I'm up against.

[DIV]

What would make pushups not count?

Also, what is a beep test?

[Redemptor]

with the pushups i was either not getting low enough or my arms were out too far.

a beep test is also known as a 20 meter shuttle run, you start when a beep sounds and have to reach the end of the 20 meters before the next beep, the amount of time between each beep shortens at each level. Pro soccer players are usually able to do level 10 to 11.

[Twisted1616]

a beep test is also known as a 20 meter shuttle run, you start when a beep sounds and have to reach the end of the 20 meters before the next beep, the amount of time between each beep shortens at each level. Pro soccer players are usually able to do level 10 to 11.

A.K.A. That bloody hell they put you through in gym every year in elementary. >/... I always quit after a couple of back and forths (except for the first couple times before I realized "hey.. I can just .. not" and the one time later when I wanted to know how far I'd get.. lvl7 IIRC).. Got to lie around doing nothing 'til the show-offs were done with their lvl 9 or 10s.

At least make us sweat doing something fun (no, not that you filthy mind) you demons, a.k.a gym teachers.


EDIT: with the push-ups... You needed to touch the ground with your chest or something?
Actually, earlier today I did the first push-ups in a long while.. Got 20.. Don't think I touched the floor. :/

This post has been edited by Twisted1616: 30 October 2009 - 01:45 AM

[Toreshi]

It's good to see that your attitude toward the whole thing is a healthy, "I'll show them next time!" instead of what a lot of people do (i.e. sook and give up). Push-ups, to do them the right way, is hard, but doable with practice. Good luck! You can do it!

On that note, I think it's slightly retarded that you can't get into the Canadian Forces just because you can't do a set number of push-ups. I mean, if you're going to go through basic and everything, I imagine your fitness level is going to skyrocket anyway, so what's the big deal? Why not just teach you how to do them properly on site?

[J_A_X]

It's good to see that your attitude toward the whole thing is a healthy, "I'll show them next time!" instead of what a lot of people do (i.e. sook and give up). Push-ups, to do them the right way, is hard, but doable with practice. Good luck! You can do it!

On that note, I think it's slightly retarded that you can't get into the Canadian Forces just because you can't do a set number of push-ups. I mean, if you're going to go through basic and everything, I imagine your fitness level is going to skyrocket anyway, so what's the big deal? Why not just teach you how to do them properly on site?

You *need* to be physically fit already when doing boot camp so you can do the drills needed. They're not going to wait until you finish getting in shape or risk you getting hurt from lack of strength. Also, there are a number of 'team' training that you need to do, in which if one of your teammates doesn't pull his weight, they're going to be in shit.

[Redemptor]

The thing is, basic training is very, very intense. The physical training can cause injury if one is not adequately prepared for it. I know now that i really wasnt ready. Even if I had gotten any pushups to count then I likely would have hurt myself in RFT (Remedial Fitness Training). The stadards are there for a reason and that reason is the safety of the applicants and their comrades.

[The Unbalanced Mind]

At least you can fix yours, I'm a pound under the minimum weight requirement for my height and have been trying for the last eight months to healthily gain that stupid pound.

[Endros]

1 lb... 1 lb?!?! *snorts in disgust*

Redemptor: There are a bunch of different ways to improve your push-ups. What exactly are the form requirements? (hand requirements, chest requirements, etc.)

Also a heads-up, do not go in with the minimum... you won't pass, or if they push you through you'll be scraping the bottom of the barrel and likely an outcast among your training platoon for making them work harder. You need to find a workout or series of workouts that push you to your limit every day, leaves you feeling miserable and achy. Then when you get used to that change type and up the intensity, it'll do wonders.

[Randomperson0]

So they actually ship you out to your basic training and THEN give you the test? Seems like a waste of money for them if it's that easy to fail.

US Army does it a little different, the recruiter gives you the PT test before you ship (although most just bullshit numbers anyway) then you can fail the one at basic and nothing happens. No remedial PT or anything, just a reminder you have to do better.

Best advice I can give you is find out the exact standard of the pushups they require and do it exactly like that. Also, get your hands as wide as they allow you to, it makes it a hell of a lot easier.

Also, pyramids fucking work. Do them.

[The Unbalanced Mind]

1 lb... 1 lb?!?! *snorts in disgust*

Why did you snort in disgust? It's not like I'm unhealthy or anything, just genetically made like a twig. I've been trying to gain the pound in muscle and it just doesn't seem to be working as quick as I hoped.

[Twisted1616]

1 lb... 1 lb?!?! *snorts in disgust*

Why did you snort in disgust? It's not like I'm unhealthy or anything, just genetically made like a twig. I've been trying to gain the pound in muscle and it just doesn't seem to be working as quick as I hoped.

He snorts because it's such a menial number. Some of us can eat that pound in a meal, definitely most of us in a day. I can fluctuate more than that between toilet trips for cryin' out loud.

If you're really having trouble here's a hint: To gain weight get off the rabbit fodder (not assuming that you're actually just eating rabbit fodder, btw, it's just a phrase) and start eating more potatoes and bread.
To gain that weight in muscle do the above and add exercise. Not cardio or other fat burning stuff, just weight lifting and that sort. (Btw, for you internet cops, I'm not pretending this is an expert advise).

[The Unbalanced Mind]

Most of what I eat is comparable to rabbit fodder so that was a safe assumption. I'll try that though.

[Edit]That is me at my heaviest so chances are on average I'm a little more underweight then that.

This post has been edited by The Unbalanced Mind: 01 November 2009 - 03:17 PM

[Maelgwyn]

TUM - Ill swap ya...

And sorry to hear about your eviction from Survivor: Canadian Military Forces. Good to see though that you're willing to go show em up next time!

Mael

[Endros]

Twisted, you actually have the right idea. He should be consuming higher levels of protein as well if he wants to put the muscle on as well. Lowering activity a notch and eating higher fat, salt, and sugar foods will put on weight

I snorted in disgust because 1 lb is a goddamned joke to be whining about especially if you live in the US. If you said 10/15 lbs, I could see why you'd be having trouble. Even 5 lbs, depending on your frame, could be really problematic. 1 lb is a McDonald's meal and a couple of big glasses of water. If it's REALLY holding you back from signing up, I will tell you what every person will eventually yell at you about in the military... You simply aren't trying hard enough and that's really all there is to it.

I also like 3 or 5 count pushups which are as follows: Start a pushup but slowly count to three as you lower yourself to the proper position. You should hit the bottom of the pushup when you finish the three count. Hold that for another three count, then ascend to a three count. Do this as many times as you are able and don't worry if your arms give out. Your body won't let you get hurt. Five counts are the same but no pause. So a five count down and five count up.

[Redemptor]

yeah my only problem with the pushups their having me do is that their almost exclusively tricep pushups. with your arms so close in at your sides its a very trained movement, one which ive never performed with my arms that close in. so im doing wall pushups untill i can actually push my self off the ground using that form. i figure it'll be a month and a half before i can do the required amount.

[DiMono]

yeah my only problem with the pushups their having me do is that their almost exclusively tricep pushups. with your arms so close in at your sides its a very trained movement, one which ive never performed with my arms that close in. so im doing wall pushups untill i can actually push my self off the ground using that form. i figure it'll be a month and a half before i can do the required amount.

Where's the hand position exactly? I've been working out for quite some time now, and there are a whole bunch of ways to do pushups. Are the hands supposed to be in line with your shoulders? Should your hands be touching?

Also, I'd recommend doing pushups from your knees until you're strong enough, rather than wall pushups. It's a better burn, and it's more similar to the motion you'll be doing when it's all said and done. Then, when you can do, say, 8 of them like that, change it up so you start with proper pushups, and then when your muscles get tired drop the knees down and keep going. If you want serious strength growth you need to push yourself.

Also also, don't rely only on pushups to get you where you're going. Your strength will improve much faster if you do a variety of exercises, rather than the same one over and over again. If you can tell me exactly where they want your hands and how they should be oriented, I can give you some other exercises to work in there.