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The Question: Training for the Marines is no joke. It's very difficult to keep up with the physical demands of the Marines. What is the best Marines workout? Be specific. Include exercises, sets, reps, rest periods, etc. What is the hardest part of Marines training? What are some of the benefits of Marines training compared to other training? Show off your knowledge to the world! The Winners:
2nd place - $50 in store credit. To use your credit, e-mail Will @ will@bodybuilding.com for more info.
The United States Marine Corps basic training is a thirteen week course designed not only to familiarize civilians with the duties of military life, but also to mold some of the finest soldiers in the world. As the first to fight, Marines are trained to be the best and the toughest warriors our country has to offer. As a reflection of their exceptional capabilities, recruits must undergo training that pushes them to their limits and beyond. While any citizen, man or woman, can enlist for service in the Marine Corps and emerge as a Marine, only the most determined ever do so. Preparing before even arriving at boot camp shows this determination for achievement. Starting early in adopting a new lifestyle can only help in increasing the chance of coming out on the other end successfully. Recruiters generally encourage aspiring Marines to start a physical training program at least six months before they actually start training as a recruit. This training routine will start to harden the new recruit both physically and mentally for the rigors that lie ahead of them.
The focus of the program should be in gaining the ability to pass the Initial Strength Test, and in preparing for passing the Physical Fitness Test required for graduation. To prevent delayed entry into recruit training, one must be sure they can meet the minimum standards. Males must have no more than 18% of their weight as body fat, while females must have no more than 26% body fat. Furthermore, an Initial Strength Test is required to be taken. If a male is not able to perform 2 pullups, 35 crunches in 2 minutes, or a 1.5 mile run in 13:30 he will be assigned to a conditioning platoon until the requirements are met. Similarly, females will also be assigned to conditioning if they cannot do a flexed arm hang for 12 seconds, 35 crunches in 2 minutes, or run 1 mile in 10:30. If the initial standards are met, the normal recruit training will begin. The physically demanding parts of recruit training that one should expect to encounter are the obstacle courses as well as the regular involvement in physical activities like running, pushups, and crunches.
The final test that a recruit must pass in order to graduate is called the Physical Fitness Test. The minimum female and male requirements are as follows: Now that we have an idea of what Marine training is like, we can develop a training routine to prepare for getting through those 13 weeks. The following workout attempts to balance the aerobic and strength components of Marine training, while offering the simple, but effective exercises that one may be expected to do frequently in real training. Consistently performing the activities outlined for each day will allow for steady progression in both strength and endurance, reflecting upon actual Marine training.
Before each workout be sure to lightly stretch and warm-up for at least 5 minutes.
3 sets of the following circuit of exercises:
Run for 1.5 miles at a steady and comfortable pace. Cool down walk for 5 minutes.
3 sets of the following circuit of exercises:
3 sets of the following circuit of exercises:
Walk, hike, or jog at the quickest pace possible to travel either a distance of 3 miles, 5 miles, or 10 miles. Incorporate hills and inclines into the exercise.
3 sets of the following circuit of exercises:
It's quite an accomplishment to have the determination to see the Marine's basic training all the way to the end. While the physical and mental obstacles are numerous, there are particular challenges that are, without a doubt, more difficult than others. Most would probably agree that the hardest activity that a recruit has to perform is the culminating event, called the Crucible. Testing the true willpower of recruits, this exercise spans a 54 hour time period in which food and sleep are both limited. A total of two and a half MREs are provided to each recruit to ration out over the event, while there are only eight hours of sleep scheduled over the entire exercise. Total march distances of 40 miles or more should also be expected. Recruits must perform long marches, solve problems, do night infiltration activities, and work as a team in order to pass the Crucible test. Hunger and fatigue are present throughout the event. Regardless, recruits persevere, working through all the stress and all the tasks as a team. Once complete, they are recruits no longer. Earning the Marine Corps insignia upon completion, they are Marines.
Also noteworthy are those Marines able to complete the Physical Fitness Test with a perfect score. This would entail the following achievements: Males Must: Females Must: Where passing the Crucible is indicative of exceptional willpower, getting a perfect score on the fitness test is an impressive feat of physical ability.
Training to be a Marine can be quite a different task than other forms of training. Where bodybuilding emphasizes mass and power lifting focuses on strength, Marine training deals with toughness. The physical activities of Marines regularly stress the body, often in areas where it is most weak. This makes the mind push back any conceived boundaries or limitations, eliminating weaknesses. The following characteristics are all gained from undergoing Marine basic training.
Recruits will accomplish tasks they never thought they would be possible of doing. They start believing more in their own abilities, gaining the attitude that they are capable of dealing with most any adversity.
The training is tough, and so are the Marines. They learn how to cope with the constant stresses put upon them. Instead of goals like building mass or the ability to perform a single act of strength, the training is geared toward consistently being able to function under extremely adverse conditions. The result is a physical endurance unlike any other.
Recruits learn how to better work with others as they are shown that this is the only way to accomplish some things. No recruit completes training along. Forming a unit that is greater than the sum of its parts, Marines can perform the greatest of feats in times of need.
The training of a recruit often gives structure to their lives, learning to reliably start and finish required tasks. As they must pass the Physical Fitness Test twice a year while still serving, Marines usually adopt a more physically active style of living. However, a complete lifestyle change is often evoked, with the training promoting a more balanced and complete individual in all areas of life.
To put in some concluding words, I am not myself a Marine. However, I had looked into officer training in my past, still holding it as a future option. Hopefully, the information I presented is accurate and helpful to those aspiring to become Marines. To those that do not have such plans, maybe you now have a greater appreciation and respect for those training to serve or currently serving as United States Marines. They certainly have earned it from everyone. I am passionate about topics like this one getting the accurate and effective advice that they deserve. Any questions, comments, or suggestions are welcome. References:
Training for the Marines is no joke. It's very difficult to keep up with the physical demands of the Marines. A Marine Corps is a branch of our country's armed forces and is intended to use armor, aircraft, and watercraft. The United States Marine Corps, which is the largest in the world, has about 180,000 active and 40,000 reserve Marines. That is a very low number, especially in a country with a population over 300,000,000 people.
In order to be accepted into the Marines, one must have a basic physical fitness level along with great courage and determination.
A physical fitness test for males consists of three events, pull-ups, crunches, and a 3 mile run. Minimum Requirements:
A physical fitness test for females also consists of three events, the flexed arm hang, crunches, and a 3 mile run. Minimum Requirements: In order to meet the minimum requirements, one must train on a daily basis. Calisthenics such as pull-ups and push-ups will be included. Cardio will also be integrated into the routine. Training for about 3 to 6 months should prepare you for the physical fitness test.
3 mile run in the shortest time possible.
5 mile run in the shortest time possible.
3 mile run in the shortest time possible.
In order to perform with maximum intensity, make sure you eat right. Don't eat like a bodybuilder, but eat plenty of protein, moderate carbs, and minimal fat. Eat every 3 to 4 hours to get 4 to 5 meals each day. Drink plenty of water and supplement with protein shakes and a multivitamin. A fat loss/ energy supplement is optional. 
Don't train on your rest days and get at least eight hours of sleep each day. Sleep affects your mental, physical, and emotional well being. When you sleep, your body produces the most growth hormone, which speeds up your muscles' recovery time, so you can wake up the next morning and train like an animal.
The hardest part of Marine training is the mental part of it. Having good discipline is a must for anyone looking into the Marine corps. When the basic training is completed and the physical fitness test is passed, there's another activity that's has to be performed, the Crucible. This is the ultimate test for Marine recruits. The Crucible is a 54 hour activity that includes 40 mile marches, infiltration courses, and plenty of cooperation and teamwork between the Marine recruits. Only 8 hours of sleep are allowed during this activity, and very little food and water is provided. This activity is designed to turn you into a Marine. Completing this activity is more mental than physical. Just like the mind-muscle connection in bodybuilding, in order to complete the Crucible, you have to put your mind into it one hundred percent and not give up.
Marines training isn't about building big muscles or lifting massive poundages, it's about developing good discipline, courage, and compassion. When training for the Marines, you achieve high levels of aerobic and anaerobic endurance. You also learn to help others and in some cases save their lives. Last but not least, you learn that team work leads to success, victory, and triumph. If you don't plan on staying in the Marines for long, all the training you completed can help you in other aspects of life. You'll find out that once you set a realistic goal and work hard to achieve it, you can accomplish anything you desire. Just remember that it's more mental than physical. Before trying to become a Marine, put yourself in the correct mental being and focus on your goals one hundred percent. There's a reason why they call the Marines "The Few, The Proud," and that's because only a select few (those who can make it through) are given this honorable position.
References:
Pro's
Con's
Comments: A pleasant conversational style and natural ability to tell a story in print were marred by lack of research.
Pro's
Con's
Comments: There are really only two strong approaches to this Workout of the Week topic. You are a marine who knows this drill or you research and quote your sources. Neither occurred here. This writer showed some basic abilities that need fine tuning. Reading Strunk's elements of Style and better research will probably help in future efforts.
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