Fitness at MMI or GMC

[MaggieMae66]

Do they have a regimented physical fitness platform at these schools? Like do the do PT everyday? I'm concerned that if my DS gets into one of these schools, he will get enough exercise to keep off the freshman weight everyone seems to gain. I'm wondering if he has to motivate himself and exercise on his own or do they exercise as a group?

 

[Physicsguru]

Do they have a regimented physical fitness platform at these schools? Like do the do PT everyday? I'm concerned that if my DS gets into one of these schools, he will get enough exercise to keep off the freshman weight everyone seems to gain. I'm wondering if he has to motivate himself and exercise on his own or do they exercise as a group?

All cadets at MMI (except varsity athletes in season) will participate in morning PT sessions. PT usually consists of calisthenics and some aerobic activities like running. In addition, there are intramural activities.

 

[JWP]

Please know i am not trying to sound snarky. And congrats! Prep school is an incredible accomplishment. So here goes....motivation will forever be a part of anyone's fitness level whether they have organized fitness or not. However, my USMA 2018 Cadet did a year at MMI as an AOG Civil Prep candidate and the year at MMI was an incredible learning experience for him...he entered WP extremely well prepared to deal with the academic challenges, the challenges of being student cadet and yup....physically prepared. Though he was at an institution completely invested in his success and though he was surrounded by great people and made great and lasting relationships while in prep....at the end of the day it was the decisions he made that got him into WP. The value of the year at prep cannot be underestimated. The staff at any prep can set the table and will provide every opportunity for the cadet to succeed. Last word of advice to your cadet....if physical fitness is a worry...morning pt will only do so much. Hit the gym in the evening. ..find a group to run with. ..point is...know your weaknesses and work it. ..CONGRATULATIONS!

 

[tug_boat]

Well stated JWP!

Push Hard, Press Forward

 

[MaggieMae66]

Please know i am not trying to sound snarky. And congrats! Prep school is an incredible accomplishment. So here goes....motivation will forever be a part of anyone's fitness level whether they have organized fitness or not. However, my USMA 2018 Cadet did a year at MMI as an AOG Civil Prep candidate and the year at MMI was an incredible learning experience for him...he entered WP extremely well prepared to deal with the academic challenges, the challenges of being student cadet and yup....physically prepared. Though he was at an institution completely invested in his success and though he was surrounded by great people and made great and lasting relationships while in prep....at the end of the day it was the decisions he made that got him into WP. The value of the year at prep cannot be underestimated. The staff at any prep can set the table and will provide every opportunity for the cadet to succeed. Last word of advice to your cadet....if physical fitness is a worry...morning pt will only do so much. Hit the gym in the evening. ..find a group to run with. ..point is...know your weaknesses and work it. ..CONGRATULATIONS!

I don't consider that snarky at all. I understand what you are saying about his motivation. I was more concerned with if there were opportunities like a gym or PT to help. He plays a lot of team sports football, wrestling etc. I know that someone had said some cadets choose not to play a sport so they can concentrate on studying. If mine chose that option, would there be other exercise options. Plus we all know it is easier to workout as a group than by yourself. Thanks for the info.

 

[JWP]

I don't consider that snarky at all. I understand what you are saying about his motivation. I was more concerned with if there were opportunities like a gym or PT to help. He plays a lot of team sports football, wrestling etc. I know that someone had said some cadets choose not to play a sport so they can concentrate on studying. If mine chose that option, would there be other exercise options. Plus we all know it is easier to workout as a group than by yourself. Thanks for the info.

Great to hear your DS is wrestler...my 2018 as well. During his time at MMI he spent time working out with the wrestling team as well....they have a team on campus. He also spent time after hours at the gym with some friends. By the time his year ended. ..he was more than ready for WP. So there are solid opportunities to get in the workouts...not too much else to do around Marion! ....best of luck!

 

[Michelle Moore]

My DD is at GMC and they do have PT. They also have a gym and a fabulous Greenway along the river to run on.

 

[MaggieMae66]

Great to hear your DS is wrestler...my 2018 as well. During his time at MMI he spent time working out with the wrestling team as well....they have a team on campus. He also spent time after hours at the gym with some friends. By the time his year ended. ..he was more than ready for WP. So there are solid opportunities to get in the workouts...not too much else to do around Marion! ....best of luck!

Did your DS wrestle at Marion or just practice with the team? I have heard that some cadets choose not to participate in sports to focus more on their studies. My son really wants to wrestle at the academy but he said he would not mind wrestling at Marion to keep up with the sport. Is there NCAA eligibility issues or anything that would come into play to prevent him from wrestling at Marion and also wrestle all four years at the academy?

 

[cruisemom67]

I am wondering the same about NCAA eligibility . DD plays volleyball . Is it better not to play at prep? From what I understand, they only get 4 years of college level play. However, I did notice that the volleyball team at USMMA only had one senior. Is it because by that point in time they are preparing more for life after the academy? If that's the case, she probably should play at prep, keeping her skills up.

 

[2020 wannabe]

Did your DS wrestle at Marion or just practice with the team? I have heard that some cadets choose not to participate in sports to focus more on their studies. My son really wants to wrestle at the academy but he said he would not mind wrestling at Marion to keep up with the sport. Is there NCAA eligibility issues or anything that would come into play to prevent him from wrestling at Marion and also wrestle all four years at the academy?

My son is a wrestler as well. Been checking out the different prep schools in case a FF scholoarship offer comes his way. I told him about the wrestling team at MMI. From what I have learned about the NCAA rules, once you attend college full-time, your eligibility clock starts. You can only compete 4 out of 5 years. If MMI is club team, then maybe that would still leave 4 years for the academy. Anyone know more?

 

[Physicsguru]

My son is a wrestler as well. Been checking out the different prep schools in case a FF scholoarship offer comes his way. I told him about the wrestling team at MMI. From what I have learned about the NCAA rules, once you attend college full-time, your eligibility clock starts. You can only compete 4 out of 5 years. If MMI is club team, then maybe that would still leave 4 years for the academy. Anyone know more?

Two items. First, if a student on an alumni foundation scholarship competes in intercollegiate sports, they will use a year of eligibility. I have a couple of students who self-prepped at MMI and played softball, and they only have three years of competition at Coast Guard. In both their cases, it was softball combined with their academics which got their appointments, so it was a good trade.

Second, the wrestling coaches at MMI are retiring after long and acclaimed careers. MMI will not hire a new wrestling coach, and will be starting up men's and women's cross-country and golf. There will be club wrestling, but no athletic scholarships. That will be run by student activities.

If a student is planning on competing for four years at an academy, they may want to skip a year of competition during prep. That will free up a lot of time to transition to the challenges of college academics. There will be lots of opportunity to keep in shape in the prep school.