Physical Aspect of Naval Academy

StayingPositive

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So, for those who have gone through, or is currently going through the academy, did you notice substantial differences in physique from before you entered USNA and after?

I realize everyone will pretty much be forced to be in better shape than they were originally, but to what extent?

A side goal of mine is to really hit my athletic peak during my time at USNA. Would that be difficult with all the academics?
 
S+,

My plebe has only gained a few pounds, but he's FAR more "cut" than his couch potato senior year in HS, especially his abs. I anticipate this will continue as he's only 18.5

There is plenty of time to work out and he does, sometimes twice/day. Athletics is a priority, don't worry, you'll have plenty of opportunity to grow, both physically and mentally.

Congratulations!
 
depends on the person. seen some who came in skinny as sticks and gained x amount of weight from either muscle or from lack of pt (these mids were placed in the cat v program if they did not meet BCA standards). it all really comes down to how your time management is
 
Not everybody leaves the academy in better shape than when they entered. You will have to make an effort to stay in shape. There are many who pass the PRT (Physical Readiness Test) easily their first two years and then struggle with it the final two years.

Studies can certainly eat up much of your time and, unless you are very proactive about getting in workouts, your physical fitness can slip. PE class, intramurals, and once-a-semester PRT is not enough physical activity to keep one in shape.

Plebe Summer is very physically demanding because of PEP. But, once the academic year begins, there is no more PEP. It's up to the individual midshipman to stay in shape.

The facilities are great, however - if you take advantage of them.
 
Not everybody leaves the academy in better shape than when they entered. You will have to make an effort to stay in shape. There are many who pass the PRT (Physical Readiness Test) easily their first two years and then struggle with it the final two years.

Studies can certainly eat up much of your time and, unless you are very proactive about getting in workouts, your physical fitness can slip. PE class, intramurals, and once-a-semester PRT is not enough physical activity to keep one in shape.

Plebe Summer is very physically demanding because of PEP. But, once the academic year begins, there is no more PEP. It's up to the individual midshipman to stay in shape.

The facilities are great, however - if you take advantage of them.

http://www.usna.edu/Student-Life/Daily-Schedule.php

So during the academic year, the time set aside for "company training time" and "Varsity and Intramural Athletics" is optional? and if they are not, how would a midshipmen find other time to work out? Looking at the schedule the only free time we have is from 8pm to 11pm, and i heard mostly everyone uses all that time to do homework.
 
There were days at USNA where I had literally no time to work out because I was scheduled for something from 0530-2400. Not fun.

Intramurals don't always go every day, so you can sometimes work out during sports period. Supe's list mids were the only people who could work out during study hour when I was a mid, and even then there were officers of the watch who would walk into the gym at exactly 2000 and kick everyone out. Wish I was kidding.


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Supe's list mids were the only people who could work out during study hour when I was a mid, and even then there were officers of the watch who would walk into the gym at exactly 2000 and kick everyone out. Wish I was kidding.

Things have changed. 3/C and 4/C on any list may work out during study hour. All 1/C and 2/C who are SAT may work out during study hour. Gym is open until 10PM on most days and 9PM on Sundays and holidays.

Wake up at 5:30, and you have an hour before class. Unless you have some kind of legendary 23 credit schedule, you'll have free periods to work out during the day. And there's the hour after lunch. And no evening formation on Tuesdays and Thursdays means you can extend your sports period workout time all the way to study period.

SMT is also all but gone, so plebes have all morning on Saturdays too.

There will be days where you will literally have no time. But generally you'll be able to find time.
 
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Supe's list mids were the only people who could work out during study hour when I was a mid, and even then there were officers of the watch who would walk into the gym at exactly 2000 and kick everyone out. Wish I was kidding

Too bad. When I was a mid - during the Neolithic Period - study period was pretty much optional for upperclassmen. Many of us, who felt comfortable with our academic situation, worked out during study hour. That was allowed. We didn't have to be on the Supe's List or anything special. It was left to our own discretion. Then again - attrition ran at about 33% in those days. :)
 
A little off topic here, but when is the first graded PRT done?

I believe there are eight graded PRTs throughout a midshipman's 4-yr career, one each semester. During Plebe Summer, I believe they do a PRT but I don't think it counts. Pretty much nothing during Plebe Summer "counts" - other than making it through the 6 weeks without quitting.
 
On this topic, DS pointed out the following from page 8 of the info book in the PRT -

"Upon arrival an Initial Strength Test (IST) will be administered to determine whether a Midshipman meets the minimum standards for Plebe physical training. At the end of Plebe Summer and during each semester, each Midshipman is required to pass a Physical Readiness Test (PRT). Failure to pass this test will result in assignment to a remedial program......"

Is the IST the same as the PRT (i.e., push-ups, curl-ups and 1.5 mile run)? We were assuming the IST is like a benchmark for both the Plebe and the detailers so is an opportunity to make a good impression by being well prepared.

Any clarifications on the IST and how it is used?
 
Any clarifications on the IST and how it is used?

During my plebe summer (and I'd assume 2018 is the same), the IST was administered during the first day or two of PEP. It consists of 2 mins curlups, 2 mins pushups, and a 1 mile run. The purpose behind it is to determine which "running group" your DS will initially be in... There's 7 running groups that each run at a different paces. This makes sure each individual is pushed to his or her own personal limits during PEP.
 
Shawn - Thanks for the clarification. :thumb:

Sorry for typo in my previous post - the quoted text is from the info book in the Permit To Report - PTR - obviously not PRT! :wink:
 
DS is a '17 Plebe and he did a PRT in the Fall and Spring semesters.

bandad
 
Plebe PRT

Running: over summer the timed run in the PRT is to get assigned your running group.

Fall: I think the entire school took this in fall at the same time except for the plebes. The PRT at the end of plebe summer satisfied their Fall PRT requirement. Some companies may have had the plebes take the PRT but not for an official score.

Spring: My plebe took it twice. Once with his company and once with his sports team. I am kind of hazzy on the details but I think the one with the company is the one that counted for him personally and the one with his team was to have a team PRT average.

Physical Fitness and 'Screeners': There are many optional screeners that are held that one would chose to sign up for to get a particular assignment. For example, my plebe wanted a particular summer assignment. He chose to take a half day screener. the top percentage of those from that half day screener were allowed to move on to a full day screener. The top percentage of those got that particular assignment.
 
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DS is a '17 Plebe and he did a PRT in the Fall and Spring semesters.

bandad

CORRECTION - Talked to DS and his PRT from the end of Plebe summer did count so he did not take it in the Fall.
 
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