I am 20 years old and have already made the decision to enlist in the Marine Corps. I haven’t yet enlisted because I am making sure that I am completely ready and have everything in order so I can have everything squared away before boot camp.
I am in good physical shape with a few exceptions. I can run a mile somewhere between 6:30 and 7:00, so I should have no problem passing that portion of the IFT. I have strong core muscles as well and can perform anywhere between 70 and 80 sit-ups in 2 minutes, depending on how well I pace myself; therefore, I should have no problem with that portion of the IFT. However, I encountered a significant problem when I worked out yesterday. I realized that I have insanely poor upper body strength. I could barely manage 35 pushups (and nearly puked afterwards due to having just finished running and filling up on water), and even worse… I couldn’t even perform ONE LONE pull-up! (I know, laugh it off). This came as a surprise to me. I thought that after having been in top physical condition all my life that I would, even after having gone quite a few years without doing pull-ups, been able to do at least a few. This is very upsetting for me because I want nothing more in my life than to be a Marine, even if I have to die trying.
I want to get this problem out of the way so I can enlist as soon as possible. I don’t want to wait any more than I have to. How can I get better at pull-ups if I can’t even do one? What are some exercises I can perform to get better and increase the number of pull-ups I can do? Also, should I get this out of the way now, or just wait until I get in the PTP (physical fitness platoon) to improve my pull-ups? My end goal is to graduate boot camp with at least a high second class PFT score. I am confident that I will be able to succeed at everything else (drills, exams, rifle range tests), so my only concern is the physical part. Thanks for all answers and any advice.
6 Responses to “How do I prepare physically for Marine Corps boot camp?”
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Semper Fi! I’m a future enlistee too, so I’ve got some advice for you…
On pull ups, if you can’t even do one, try chin ups before you even start trying pull ups. Pull ups are much more difficult, and if you can manage 5-10 chin ups, you should be able to get *at least* 3 good pull ups in.
If that doesn’t work, start with suspended-arm-hangs. It will help build the muscles, and you can time yourself, after you’ve reached how ever many second of arms being suspended, you can slowly lower to the dead arm hang position and try one pull up.
As for push ups, just take it slow, an I highly suggest doing push ups before a run.
OOH RAH
proud of you for your decision.
You need to start small first. Pull ups use biceps and push ups use triceps. The reason you can’t do a lot is that the rest of your body has gained alot of weight due to muscles, so I would recommend excercising these muscles with about 30% of your body weight and lots of repetitions at first, and moving on to more weight. But remember to work on endurance (lots of reps) instead of max weight.
sounds like your in good shape. just go to the gym and build up ur upper body muscles, get a chin up bar from walmart that goes on doors about 20 bucks… put a chair uo to put ur feet on to make them easier and do like 5 a day and increase it… also do 3 sets of 20 push ups everyday.. in a matter of weeks youll increase pushups and after like lets say 1 week increase it to 3 sets of 22.. then 25… then 28… then 30… slowly youll get stronger
There is no magical way to get into better shape. Just do more of whatever you are doing. the better in shape you get into, the better of you will be.
Dude, I had the same problem as you. I got out of boot camp only able to do 6 pull-ups. I went in and could do like 1 or 2. Heres the deal. I will show you how to get 10 pull-ups in a month. Its very easy. I tried this was I was on a float in the med. Get yourself a pull-up bar and jump on it 3-4 times a day. For you, you are going to have to kick to get your first pull-up. But dont do more than one. Do that 3-4 times a day. JUST ONE. Do that for about a week And start doing your pull-ups the right way — dead hang–. But the secret is to never max out! Because if you do then you cant go back to the bar for 3 days until your muscles recover! Over the next 10 days get yourself to do 2. Kick on the second one if you have to. Do this 3-4 times a day. Its quick. You will notice that you will be doing more and more but be careful not to max-out! Also, palms facing towards you.
About the 20th day you should be doing about 4 pull-ups and again 3-4 times a day. Day 30, Go ahead and max yourself out once and see what you can do.. I bet you get ten. BTW, I left the boat able to do 15..
Justin, anybody can say Semper Fi, It simply means always faithful. (To the Corps) Wives of Marines say it a lot before thier hubbys deploy. For them it means they will continue the battle on the home front ahd support thier husbands. They never went to boot.
Don’t say Semper Fi until you’re actually a Marine. That means graduated boot.