SEAL training and operations require operators to be razor sharp mentally and physically.

Physical training needs to be approached with a methodical and carefully planned program. Too many guys hit the gym, pump iron and turn themselves into muscle monkeys and then can’tpass the PFT because they think looking buff is what this all about.

You’ll get buff from the exercise and the life, but the objective with physical trainning is to give you the physical strength, endurance, agility and mental toughness to carry out your mission successfully.

Here are some tips to help you with your training in preparation for the PFT and SEAL training.

Weight Training

Pumping iron is used by almost everyone to build the body beautiful but you’re in for a shock – you won’t find weights forming part of your training at Bootcamp!

Weight training was devised for bodybuilders and it has little practical use in prepping for military activity.

Best advice is to concentrate on those physical activities such as running and swimming as the main part of your preparation. Push-ups, sit-ups, calisthenics can form a significant part of your program but simply turning up with big biceps doesn’t mean squat.

Rest Periods

I run 5 times a week and vary the schedule and distance. Typically my week starts off with a 5 mile stretch on Monday. Tuesday sees in 7 miles and Wednesday I rest. Thursday I crank out 10 miles while Friday and Saturday I put in a fast 3 miles followed by rest on Sunday. I vary this around depending on my schedule.

The reason why rest days are important is to provide your muscle with the chance to recover from the activity. Muscle is strained and will become damaged if you continue to repetitively train. Rest periods are probably better called recovery periods.

Same applies to any other physical activity including abs, push-ups and sit-ups, pull-ups and swimming. Not only to rest your muscles, but a key point with training is to make it as interesting as possible and not get stuck in a boring routine – the more interesting teh training program, the greater your motivation and the more work you’ll deliver which improves the training program results.

Mixing Activities

Some people recommend training every day but doing different activities. Others say regulate your training so you have a complete rest from exercise.

If you’re training for Bootcamp or the PFT, I’d recommend you train every day but make sure you vary the content a lot. You should also make sure you do get a rest day or two using the weekend.

The reason behind this is you’re going to be training every work day and sometimes more when you’re in Bootcamp, so probably better to get your body conditioned to that.

That said, I workout 4 days a week and run or swim for five of them. That’s just a personal arrangement to fit into my schedule but I still change the workout around.

This Article is written by James Kara Murat