How to get better with small exercises?

[CrossedRifles]

During Future Soldier Training, our recruiter taught us exercises we'll likely do.

Like flutterkicks, mountain climbers, etc. And that one where you level your arms and raise it above your head and back like 200 times. Good god it was pretty much torture since I've never done them before.

Am I supposed to just keep doing these over and over? Or are there any side exercises to help me do more?

My recruiter also said to focus on abdominals since a stronger core will make all your exercises easier. Not saying it sounds like a lie, but is this genuinely true? Will it improve run times? Right now I can only do 50 pushups, 60 situps, and a 30:30 3 Mile Run. Running is my worst obviously, but I'm making tons of progress as I shave a minute off every other day.

Thanks for your help and information, and thank you for your service!

[turbomkt]

A stronger core will definitely improve everything else. Without the strong core you have less stability and balance. You need those for EVERYTHING.

Pushups and related exercises (planks, burpees, bodybuilders, etc) are valuable across the board as they get the core and other muscle groups.

Just think about getting up off the ground with an extra 60 pounds on you. What muscles will you need?

[dirtykoala]

During Future Soldier Training, our recruiter taught us exercises we'll likely do.

Like flutterkicks, mountain climbers, etc. And that one where you level your arms and raise it above your head and back like 200 times. Good god it was pretty much torture since I've never done them before.

Am I supposed to just keep doing these over and over? Or are there any side exercises to help me do more?

My recruiter also said to focus on abdominals since a stronger core will make all your exercises easier. Not saying it sounds like a lie, but is this genuinely true? Will it improve run times? Right now I can only do 50 pushups, 60 situps, and a 30:30 3 Mile Run. Running is my worst obviously, but I'm making tons of progress as I shave a minute off every other day.

Thanks for your help and information, and thank you for your service!

yep, core strengthening helps everything. for the arms up exercise, when you have them extended open and close your hands 10 times, same when they are above your head, then put them straight out to your sides and do grippers again, then back out in front, and so on. it sucks, but it helps a lot.

yes, just keep doing them over and over, youll find everything getting easier and easier.

to help with sit ups and core strengthening, get an exercise ball like this one

http://www.amazon.com/TKO-Anti-Burst-Fitness-Stability/dp/B000FH2W54/ref=cm_lmf_tit_1

and put your lower back on it, feet on the ground, knees at 90 degrees, body and upper legs parallel to the ground, then do crunches. that also sucks, but balancing like that while youre doing crunches will help youre core A LOT. youll work a lot of small muscles in your abs that you dont work when you arent balancing yourself.

[roll2li]

Stew Smith has a lot of programs available for free for physical fitness prep for all services and first responders.

Flutterkicks are some of the best exercises available, if you can do 100 four count flutterkicks I guarantee you can run a 7 min mile pace for 3-4 miles

Biggest thing with strengthening your core is to remember to balance your lower back, especially with all the stress it will receive from humping, sleeping on the ground and your stomach muscles tightening.

[thebloodsonthewall]

Just wait until you do log PT.

[llamatrnr]

My son got his Ranger patch this week, and son #2 is doing H.A.L.O. this week (Air Force Combat Controller)...all I can say is get as tough as you can as quick as you can, any way you can

[chozenfew805]

Look into Circuit Training if you really want to step up your physical fitness. Mountain Climbers, leg raises, push ups, etc.... all tried and true excersises but functional fitness is the BUSINESS. That's where High Intensity Interval Training(HIIT) comes into play.

Pushups, pullups, situps, and 1.5/3.0 mile runs are for seeing where your at physically.

On top of a workout regimen make sure your actually adhering to it(IE; 3on 1 off) and watch what you eat, unless your one of those guys who eat and drinks like crazy without putting on a single pound.

[Bobby Ricigliano]

"The flutter kick!"

"Make it hurt Drill Sergeant make it hurt!"

Memories......

[Raider510]

And that one where you level your arms and raise it above your head and back like 200 times. Good god it was pretty much torture since I've never done them before.

"The overhead arm clap! In cadence, exercise!!! 1,2,3...." ad nauseum lol

[Linh]

What helped me was doing push up/sit up during commercials whlie watching tv.

As far as running, I suck at that too but you just gotta run. Put on some music and run. Do something to make running fun.

[Mr.Caketown]

If your going to basic , you better become one with the front leaning rest position.

Mountain Climbers , 8 count push ups , burpees , air squat , flutter kicks , the push up and Front/Back/GO are probably the more common ones I got through out my time in TRADOC. WHen you get to BASIC you are going to do 30/60 , 60/120 and occasionally 120/240s to help you with your run and it works. I went from a 19min 2 mile to a 15min 2 mile.

With your M16

4 Finger hold
Military press
Cover (while holding rifle by muzzle)
Push up w/ rifle on back of hands
Overhead hold

[ElvenSoul]

The stronger core will help with breathing. Try and get into a pool and do some swimming.

[ElvenSoul]

Get in to Yoga while your still a free man. So many health benefits with hotties included.

http://www.budokon.com/

http://www.kundaliniyoga.org/