Cadet Physical Fitness

[Pluto]

Hey y'all, the most difficult thing for me with just under 3 months to go is physical fitness. I want to reflect a little bit, and receive some feedback from people who have gone through the academy (or any of the others for that matter).

I am training daily, with appropriate resting periods, but I fear I will experience "fish syndrome" (going from a big fish in a small pond, to a small fish in a big pond) when I get to the Academy, especially when it comes to physical fitness. In regards to fitness, Ive always thought of myself as a workhorse, someone who maybe does not always perform the best, but always performs very well, and who's signifying trait was the ability to work through anything, no matter how hard it was. As I look at the preparation recommended to appointees before BCT, and the grades given for each event, I now feel as if I'm not doing enough, or maybe even, I am not enough (in regards to fitness), especially considering I am going to get hit HARD by the altitude. I am reaching out because I know there must have been people before me who have thought these same things, or felt they were in a similar position to where I am now.

There is also the possibility I have this just all in my head -- I know I will be fine in the end, I just don't want to let anyone down.

What did you do to challenge yourself? How did you defeat the bug of pressure?

Thanks - Pluto

 

[FlyFalcon]

I look at it as each movement will help me. Doesn't matter how little. I'm a runner at heart. Running feels amazing to me. The soreness after? Yea no so much.

My mindset comes from setting goals. I have a few goals right now. 1) 100 pushups all at once 2) 10 pull-ups and 3) be able to keep up with my Zumba instructor 4) be able to swim for 20 mintues. 5) hold a plank for 4 mintues

You'll notice something. I target different items with these goals. Some days I'm not going to love doing pushups, correction that's every day, but on those days planks are an options or pull-ups.

Some of these goals seem dumb too. Zumba what the heck?? Why do you need to be able to swim for that specific time at basic?? These are my "fun" goals. They give me a reason to come to the gym and then once I'm there I'm going to add on with arms, legs or core. It's a different kind of motivation.

Having goals makes me feel like I'm getting somewhere. Only one of these goals isn't quantifiable. Everything else has numbers I can track. When I fail? I can switch to a different goal that's similar. I can increase these goals too constantly making it better.

I'm going to run my own race. I'm not going to be the most fit at USAFA. I'm not going to have the most pushups or be the fastest runner. So I'll be the best at hitting my goals. Looking too far ahead ruins my mind set. I'm not focusing on getting to state when I have my first meet. No one step at time. One goal at time.

 

[Pluto]

I'm going to run my own race. I'm not going to be the most fit at USAFA. I'm not going to have the most pushups or be the fastest runner. So I'll be the best at hitting my goals. Looking too far ahead ruins my mind set. I'm not focusing on getting to state when I have my first meet. No one step at time. One goal at time.

This is a good way to think about it. I have set some smaller goals for myself.
a. Run 5 miles without stopping (Best I've done has been ~3.5)
b. Like you, do 100 pushups in one go (62)
c. Break 50 seconds in the 400m (sport specific)
d. Consistently do 10 pullups. (Done it before, but some days I am horrific at them)

It was honestly really nice hearing from another appointee. Thanks Falcon

 

[Avenger2027]

Hey y'all, the most difficult thing for me with just under 3 months to go is physical fitness. I want to reflect a little bit, and receive some feedback from people who have gone through the academy (or any of the others for that matter).

I am training daily, with appropriate resting periods, but I fear I will experience "fish syndrome" (going from a big fish in a small pond, to a small fish in a big pond) when I get to the Academy, especially when it comes to physical fitness. In regards to fitness, Ive always thought of myself as a workhorse, someone who maybe does not always perform the best, but always performs very well, and who's signifying trait was the ability to work through anything, no matter how hard it was. As I look at the preparation recommended to appointees before BCT, and the grades given for each event, I now feel as if I'm not doing enough, or maybe even, I am not enough (in regards to fitness), especially considering I am going to get hit HARD by the altitude. I am reaching out because I know there must have been people before me who have thought these same things, or felt they were in a similar position to where I am now.

There is also the possibility I have this just all in my head -- I know I will be fine in the end, I just don't want to let anyone down.

What did you do to challenge yourself? How did you defeat the bug of pressure?

Thanks - Pluto

Can you share? The cadet appointee kit includes specific instructions on physical preparation by the director of athletics. You should follow the instructions by establishing a daily aerobic workout of 30 minutes. I think this could help me prepare for the CFA

 

[Buzzbuzz]

I dont have any advice but just wanted to let you know that I’m feeling the same way. I’m coming from active duty and while we have PT test and I’ve been working out consistently for the last year, I’m still nervous about the fitness aspect especially. You’re not alone

 

[Pluto]

I dont have any advice but just wanted to let you know that I’m feeling the same way. I’m coming from active duty and while we have PT test and I’ve been working out consistently for the last year, I’m still nervous about the fitness aspect especially. You’re not alone

You have perfectly summed it up my friend. I know I am in shape. Yes, I have good and bad days physically, but end of the day I am in shape, yet fitness at the academy makes me super anxious.

 

[crymsonwynters]

Unfortunate truth? You're going to fail physically during BCT. You could become the most physically fit person I've ever met in these next three months, and you're still going to fail. Everyone fails at some point during BCT. It's the way it's designed. That doesn't mean you're letting anyone down. Another facet of BCT is bringing you to the best shape you've ever been in your life. If you "aren't doing enough", it won't matter because Beast will bring you to that level. That, however, is not an excuse to stop working now.

BCT, training sessions, and Recognition are all physically tough. That's just the way it is. But, day-to-day life at the Academy is not that physically demanding. You should be keeping up with your fitness while you're here but it's really not that hard to stay in shape. You'll be on your feet and walking around enough just by going to class, sporting events, etc., that your fitness will stay pretty decent without much effort. Passing the PFT and AFT is honestly pretty easy.

Just like everything else, how well you do physically contributes to your overall ranking. But being able to do fewer pull-ups doesn't make you a worse cadet. Some of my closest friends here can even hit 50/100 points on the pull-ups on the PFT. But they're fine. They pass, and they do well overall here.

Bottom line: don't slack off; train hard these next three months. But you're right when you think it may be all in your head. It is.