| any people turn up for the physical selection tests | | | | The answer lies in calisthenics or body weight |
| to become a firefighter having not prepared | | | | fitness training. |
| properly, by either not having reached the | | | | First off, you do not need to go to a gym, nor |
| required standard or more usually, not trained in | | | | do you need any equipment, nor do you need to |
| the correct way. | | | | leave the house and best of all, you can complete |
| Most fire brigades are now adopting the same | | | | a killer workout, which hits all muscles and |
| test, designed around testing an | | | | improves overall fitness in around 20 minutes. |
| applicant’s physical ability in job related | | | | Calisthenics train the muscles of the body in a |
| tasks, such as carrying hose 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 | | | | example, an exercise known as the crab, back |
| to be at a high standard. The tests will highlight | | | | bridge or back bend whereby you lie on your |
| any 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 equipment | | | | body and greatly improves flexibility. It requires |
| or pitch heavy ladders | | | | strength to push off the ground and as you hold |
| Endurance - to run out lines of hose over long | | | | the position for longer, the endurance in your |
| distances or drag unconscious people to safety | | | | muscles will improve. |
| from buildings. | | | | The key to passing the physical selection tests is |
| Flexibility - work for long periods in confined | | | | having overall fitness and having high levels of |
| spaces such as 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 filled building, overcoming obstacles whilst | | | | need in the quickest time possible while being a |
| conserving air in breathing apparatus | | | | safe, natural way to train and not affecting your |
| What if you could train in a way that meant you | | | | wallet. |
| improved strength, endurance, flexibility and | | | | Do not 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 bodyweight training. |