| Too many people turn up for the physical | | | | The answer lies in calisthenics or body weight |
| selection tests tobecome a firefighter having not | | | | fitnesstraining. |
| prepared properly, by eithernot having reached | | | | First off, you don't need to go to a gym, nor do |
| the required standard or more usually,not trained | | | | you needany equipment, nor do you need to |
| in the correct way. | | | | leave the house and bestof all, you can complete |
| Most fire brigades are now adopting the same | | | | a killer workout which hits allmuscles and improves |
| test, designedaround testing an applicants physical | | | | overall fitness in around 20 minutes. |
| ability in job relatedtasks, such as carrying hose | | | | Calisthenics train the muscles of the body in a |
| and ladders. | | | | natural wayand because much of it involves |
| So how do you best prepare physically for these | | | | balance, you hit muscles ina different way than |
| tests? | | | | when using weights. |
| Well, the role of a firefighter is varied from a | | | | Certain exercises will also improve your strength, |
| physicalpoint of view. They need stamina, | | | | enduranceand flexibility at the same time. For |
| strength, endurance andflexibility which all need to | | | | example, an exerciseknown as the crab, back |
| be at a high standard. Thetests will highlight any | | | | bridge or back bend whereby you lieon your back |
| weaknesses you have in your overallfitness. | | | | and then push off the ground so your backarches |
| The key to passing these tests is having a good | | | | and your hands and feet are supporting your |
| balance inthese four disciplines. | | | | wholebody will work every muscle of the body |
| Strength - to carry bulky fire service equipment | | | | and greatly improvesflexibility. It requires strength |
| or pitchheavy ladders | | | | to push off the groundandas you hold the position |
| Endurance - to run out lines of hose over long | | | | for longer, the endurance in yourmuscles will |
| distances ordrag unconscious people to safety | | | | improve. |
| from buildings. | | | | The key to passing the physical selection tests is |
| Flexibility - work for long periods in confined | | | | havingoverall fitness and having high levels of |
| spaces suchas tunnels or lift shafts | | | | strength, stamina,endurance and flexibility. |
| Stamina - to carry out a detailed search of a | | | | Calisthenics will deliver the results you want and |
| smoke filledbuilding, overcoming obstacles whilst | | | | need inthe quickest time possible while being a |
| conserving air inbreathing apparatus | | | | safe, natural wayto train and not impacting on |
| What if you could train in a way that meant you | | | | your wallet. |
| improvedstrength, endurance, flexibility and | | | | Don't waste time training the wrong way for |
| stamina in a fractionof the time and was in such | | | | something soimportant, the road to fitness and to |
| good shape that you could breezethrough | | | | passing firefighterphysical selection tests comes in |
| firefighter physical selection tests? | | | | the form of bodyweighttraining. |