Mom of candidate

[Shelbyboyz]

Hello everyone,

I'm a Northern Virginia mom of a candidate for USMA and USNA. I've been reading a lot of great information here and am happy to have found this resource!

 

[usna1985]

Based on my reading of the test instructions, I would say no gloves in taking the test -- he can train using anything he wants but can't use it during the actual test. I'm very familiar with weather in NoVa. I suggest he try trainng early in the morning or late in the evening, when the temperature is more moderate or, if possible, find an indoor facility.

Also, it may be possible for you to rig a bar at your home to work on pull-ups.

 

[Shelbyboyz]

Thank you usna1985. I appreciate the info...sorry for posting in the wrong location!

 

[Pima]

First off, as a No VA resident I understand the humidity, HOWEVER, VA humidity is nothing compared to NC, SC, GA, AL or FLA, and it is important to understand as bad as you think it is, there will always be somebody else worse off.

Being a No VA resident, I am shocked that your school does not have pull up bars inside. If they do, but you are using their outside for training, I suggest you go to a sporting good store and buy a bar to be mounted in his door frame.

Additionally, the CFA can only be administered by specific people. I would contact them and discuss your fears. Your ALO/MALO/BGO can address this issue.

One thing to be aware of as VA residents, the heat and humidity will play an impact on their runs. Try to do the CFA when the weather is not a large factor...i.e 1 pm

 

[Shelbyboyz]

Thanks Pima, I will have to check on getting access to the inside gym. As far as the running, we've been going to the track in the morning to get the run in. I bought the pull-up bar that you use in the doorway, but my son is tall and has to bend his legs backward to get to the dead hang. We just thought it was more accurate to do pull-ups at a bar that was high enough to accomodate his height.

 

[Pima]

I guess the CFA has changed, because back in 07 boys were tested on pull-ups girls were tested on the dead hang.

I know this might sound off the wall, but is your basement finished. Depending on the age of your home, an unfinished basement might have higher ceilings than upstairs in his bedroom.

Speaking from a realtor standpoint older homes have 8 foot ceilings on the first floor, 7 on the second and 7 on the basement when finished. However, an unfinished basement would be higher than his bdrm since the ceiling is not enclosed. Newer homes have either 9/8/8 or 10/9/8 respectively.

Some Y's in our area allow a student discount to join their gyms. You may want to see if that is a possibility because he will want to continue his work out regime throughout his sr yr.

Contact a local small gym and have him discuss volunteering at the gym to allow them to practice 1 hr a day.

Does he play sports at the school? If he does, contact his coach and ask if he could come in and work out. For example, he plays LAX, but not football and the coaches are the same. Ask him if he can enter while the football team is doing their weight training.

Sometimes, it is all about thinking outside the box.

 

[Christcorp]

Actually, doing pullups with bent knees is more difficult. At least in my experience personally and those I help with the CFA. If your son can do "X" amount of pullups with bent knees, he should be able to do MORE when hanging straight down during the test. If he practices as is, it might be a blessing in disguise. Sort of like practicing the shot-put with a 16 lb shot, NOT KNOWING that the competition weight is 12 lbs. Then come competition day, and they hand you a 12 lb shot, you're like: "Dang this is light" and you throw it further than you ever did before. Anyway, good luck to you. Mike....