However, no one should ever think that these physical traits that Navy SEAL personnel possess are something that they were born with. Being strong and fit is something that every member of the Navy SEALs constantly works on through systematic and consistent fitness training. As thus, if you want to be as strong and fit as a Navy SEAL, there is nothing to stop you from achieving that goal.

The Elements of a Navy SEAL Fitness Training

When you look at it, the training program that Navy SEALs go through during their BUD/S and even before they qualify is actually very simple. This training program involves the following elements:

• Running three times a week
• Swimming three times a week
• Push-ups, sit-ups and pull-ups four times a week
• Strength training for both the upper body and the lower body twice a week each
• Core strength training for the spine and abdominal muscles four times a week
• Stretching exercises daily

The necessary training to qualify for entry to the Navy SEALs can be done within 13 weeks if you are already accustomed to doing fitness workouts on a regular basis. However, if you have not done any regular fitness training before, it is always recommended for you to start slow and to stretch the program to 26 weeks, increasing it slightly in intensity every week. In this way, you get to have your body get used to the idea of training for fitness, as well as prevent any injuries or getting burned out along the way.

The Four Keys to a Successful Navy SEAL Fitness Training

The Navy SEAL training is not really any different from any other program. There are keys that you need to unlock in order for you to become more successful in attaining the kind of physical health and fitness that you want. In case of the Navy SEAL program, these are the four keys that you need to have in order for you to attain your fitness goals.

1. Systematic. You need to be systematic when it comes to training. You need to plan your training so that you would know exactly what to do on any given training time. This will also help you keep better track of your results.

2. Progressive. Inasmuch as you need to take things slowly with your training, you need to add steadily to the intensity of your training so that you can get better results.

3. Consistency. It is very important for you to keep a regular training schedule and to stick to it. Otherwise, you will not get the results that you want.

4. Specific. You need to know your weak areas so you would be able to focus your efforts on them. Do not be tempted to concentrate your efforts on your stronger points solely because you are good in it. This will not do anything to improve your weak points.

The Navy SEAL fitness training program is very simple. It may take 26 weeks to achieve your desired results, but the results will definitely show if you work on it hard and consistently enough.

There are several questions that you would probably want answers for and this is the right place to find these answers.

NAVY SEAL RECRUITMENT & TRAINING

Q1: Is there a maximum and minimum age for joining Navy SEAL program?
The maximum age is 28 years and the minimum age is 17 with parental permission.

Q2: What type of tests do I need to take to qualify for the SEAL program?
There are basically 2 types of tests that need to be cleared to be qualified for the SEAL program.
a) AVSAB: The Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery. The minimum AVSAB score for qualification is: 165 in General Science (GS), Electronics Information (EI), and Mechanical Comprehension (MC) combined; 220 in Mechanical Knowledge (MK), Verbal Expression (VE), Coding Speed (CS), and Mechanical Comprehension (MC) combined.
b) SEAL PST: Physical Screening Test. The standards of SEAL PST are:

Q3: Can women enlist for Navy SEAL Programs?
Women, by law, are not authorized for SEAL training or programs although they can enlist with the US Navy Special Warfare Command, which oversees the operations of SEAL Teams.

Q4: Can someone using contact lenses or spectacles join Navy SEALs?
No. Navy SEALs need to have exceptional sight. Navy SEALs need to have a 20/20 vision with no correction.

Q5: What is BUD/s?
BUD/S stands for Basic Underwater Demolition / SEALs. This is the toughest training for SEALs. It is a 7-week course that starts off with an indoctrination course, followed by a basic conditioning phase, diving phase, and the land warfare phase. Somewhere in between is the most feared “Hell Week”. Maximum number of SEAL recruits quit during the BUD/S training itself.

Q6: Hell Week? What is that?
Hell Week is 132 hours of continuous physical training program with provision for just 4 hours of sleep. 75% of SEAL recruits quit during this week and those who stay their course eventually become Navy SEALs. The training takes place at the Coronado NAB (Naval Amphibious Base), San Diego, California.

Q7: What are the other training phases for becoming Navy SEAL?
Once you clear BUD/S training, you have to go for SQT or SEAL Qualification training. SQT comprises of training in several areas like parachute jumps, free fall courses, advanced diving techniques, martial arts, SERE (Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape) training, cold weather training, tactical combat medicine courses, combat swimmer training, advanced weapons and demolition training among others.

Q8: When do I receive the SEAL Trident?
On successful completion of SQT (SEAL Qualification training) training.

Q9: What happens after SQT?
Once you have completed SQT, you are assigned a SEAL Team and have to attend SPT (SEAL Platoon Training).

SEAL PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS: FOR CIVILIANS
First things first – only Men are eligible for the SEAL program. The basic requirements for civilians to enter a SEAL program include:

• You should be a U.S. citizen
• You should not have any felony convictions (This is important for security clearance).
• Your vision should not be any worse than 20/40 in one eye and 20/70 in the other eye and should be correctable to 20/20
• You should not be color blind.
• Your age should be 28 or less.
• Your ASVAB (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery) score should be 104 or higher including “AR” and “VE” and should be 50 or higher in “MC” category.
• You should pass the Diving Physical Test.
• You should pass the Physical Screening Test Requirement (PSTR), which includes:
a) 500 yard swim (side stroke, CSS stroke, or breast stroke) within 9 minutes
b) Rest for 10 minutes
c) 42 push-ups within 2 minutes
d) Rest for 2 minutes
e) 50 sit-ups within 2 minutes
f) Rest for 2 minutes
g) 6 pull-ups – there is no time limit
h) Rest for 10 minutes
i) 1.5 mile run within 9 minutes

Qualifying the minimum Navy SEAL requirements mean that you will have a 6% chance of getting through BUD/S without quitting.

You should clear the BUD/S physical fitness screening test at Boot Camp to qualify for the Navy SEAL program. If you appear through the DEP (Delayed Entry Program) even then you will have to pass the BUD/S physical fitness screening test at Boot Camp. If you are already enlisted in the US Navy then the good news is that you can get a taste of SEAL training after completing boot camp. SEAL training is provided by SEAL instructors at Great Lakes and this will definitely get you into good shape for the BUD/S training.

The one thing that you need to remember is that the toughest phase of SEAL training is the BUD/S (Basic Underwater Demolition / SEALs) phase. This phase has the maximum number of drop outs because the training is physically and mentally taxing. If you can prepare for this phase in advance by attending post boot camp training for SEALs at Great Lakes or Special Forces training, then getting through BUD/S, especially Hell Week, is going to be much easier. The BUD/S training is a training focusing on survival in harsh conditions, team building, and physical and mental strength. It is seen in most cases that those who have cleared BUD/S have become SEALs because no other training is as difficult as the BUD/S training.

Like SEALs say, “The only Easy day was Yesterday!”