| Too many people turn up for the physical | | | | The answer lies in calisthenics or body weight |
| selection tests to become a firefighter having not | | | | fitness training. First off, you don't need to go to |
| prepared properly, by either not having reached | | | | a gym, nor do you need any equipment, nor do |
| the required standard or more usually, not trained | | | | you need to leave the house and bestof all, you |
| in the correct way. | | | | can complete a killer workout which hits all |
| Most fire brigades are now adopting the same | | | | muscles and improves overall fitness in around 20 |
| test, designed around testing an applicants physical | | | | minutes. |
| ability in job related tasks, such as carrying hose | | | | Calisthenics train the muscles of the body in a |
| and ladders. | | | | natural way and because much of it involves |
| So how do you best prepare physically for these | | | | balance, you hit muscles in a different way than |
| tests? | | | | when using weights. |
| Well, the role of a firefighter is varied from a | | | | Certain exercises will also improve your strength, |
| physical point of view. They need stamina, | | | | endurance and flexibility at the same time. For |
| strength, endurance and flexibility which all need to | | | | example, an exercise known as the crab, back |
| be at a high standard. The tests will highlight any | | | | bridge or back bend whereby you lie on your |
| weaknesses you have in your overall fitness. | | | | back and then push off the ground so your back |
| The key to passing these tests is having a good | | | | arches and your hands and feet are supporting |
| balance in these four disciplines. | | | | your whole body will work every muscle of the |
| Strength – to carry bulky fire service | | | | body and greatly improves flexibility. It requires |
| equipment or pitch heavy ladders | | | | strength to push off the ground andas you hold |
| Endurance – to run out lines of hose over | | | | the position for longer, the endurance in your |
| long distances or drag unconscious people to | | | | muscles will improve. |
| safety from buildings. | | | | The key to passing the physical selection tests is |
| Flexibility – work for long periods in | | | | having overall fitness and having high levels of |
| confined spaces such as tunnels or lift shafts | | | | strength, stamina, endurance and flexibility. |
| Stamina – to carry out a detailed search | | | | Calisthenics will deliver the results you want and |
| of a smoke filled building, overcoming obstacles | | | | need in the quickest time possible while being a |
| whilst conserving air in breathing apparatus | | | | safe, natural wayto train and not impacting on |
| What if you could train in a way that meant you | | | | your wallet. |
| improved strength, endurance, flexibility and | | | | Don't waste time training the wrong way for |
| stamina in a fraction of the time and was in such | | | | something so important, the road to fitness and |
| good shape that you could breeze through | | | | to passing firefighter physical selection tests |
| firefighter physical selection tests? | | | | comes in the form of bodyweighttraining. |