Types of fitness for policing

madel

Hi all,

Just wondering what the general opinions on fitness and builds are? What kind of exercises do you consider beneficial to the role of PC.

I realise that everybody is different and that it all depends on the situation. I dabble in triathlon and usually do a bit of kickboxing over the winter to break up training. Is there a sport out there that encompasses all the physical requirements of policing, I think GAA or Rugby would probably be up there for the explosive strength they require!

JaneTennison

You will need to have a good bit of upper body strength, especially when you're on a late or night shift and are dealing with rucking out time at the pubs.
Drunk people fight like f*ck and in a hostile situation you need to be able to get them restrained and offside sharpish.

A word of advice to any female hopefuls out there who are on the slight/petite side. Get to the gym and start lifting weights, you need to be strong, especially for the push/pull at the end of the assessment.

During the circuit you will also have to lift and drag things so it's important that you get the strength up as well as the cardio side.

I'm glad they introduced the PCA as a pre requisite prior to getting in. Having witnessed first hand females going through 19 odd weeks of training to get the boot because they didn't pass the PCA is hard. And make no mistake about it,they did get the sack.

The PT staff are first rate, you will get put through the mill at PE. They do not look favourably on you if you don't try. Not everyone is an athlete, if you're struggling they go out of their way to help you with advice and training programmes. The responsibility is yours at the end of the day to do the work.

The day you graduate will be one of the proudest of your lives.
Good luck one and all.

madel

JaneTennison wrote: »

You will need to have a good bit of upper body strength, especially when you're on a late or night shift and are dealing with rucking out time at the pubs.
Drunk people fight like f*ck and in a hostile situation you need to be able to get them restrained and offside sharpish.

A word of advice to any female hopefuls out there who are on the slight/petite side. Get to the gym and start lifting weights, you need to be strong, especially for the push/pull at the end of the assessment.

During the circuit you will also have to lift and drag things so it's important that you get the strength up as well as the cardio side.

I'm glad they introduced the PCA as a pre requisite prior to getting in. Having witnessed first hand females going through 19 odd weeks of training to get the boot because they didn't pass the PCA is hard. And make no mistake about it,they did get the sack.

The PT staff are first rate, you will get put through the mill at PE. They do not look favourably on you if you don't try. Not everyone is an athlete, if you're struggling they go out of their way to help you with advice and training programmes. The responsibility is yours at the end of the day to do the work.

The day you graduate will be one of the proudest of your lives.
Good luck one and all.

I take it you're a serving member of the force or a reserve?

JaneTennison

Correct.

madel

JaneTennison wrote: »

Correct.

What kind of training do you do on a weekly basis or do you actually have time?

JaneTennison

I do spin, circuits and just time in the gym on treadmill/crosstrainer and lift weights.

Fitting gym time in around shifts is hard, I won't pretend it's not.

However I find maintaining a decent level of fitness helps you cope with shifts, helps sleep pattern etc.

madel

JaneTennison wrote: »

I do spin, circuits and just time in the gym on treadmill/crosstrainer and lift weights.

Fitting gym time in around shifts is hard, I won't pretend it's not.

However I find maintaining a decent level of fitness helps you cope with shifts, helps sleep pattern etc.

Another maybe naive question but does the security situation mean you couldnt use a commercial gym or are you restricted to certain gyms/station gyms?

JaneTennison

Depends on where you live/are stationed. You'll be advised of all that.

madel

Well this has been informative! Nice user name by the way:)