2014 Garda Fitness

kiddums

Firstly, sorry if this is wrong, but the only other thread I could find was 3 years old.

Does anyone know what is requires for the physical?
My understanding is:
an obstacle course
the push / pull
bleep test
sit ups
push ups

I don't know that is involved in some of them. Other than the push ups and sit ups, I'm not sure how to prepare for any of the rest?

Jimmymcnulty86

It's on the Garda website. Bleep Test/push ups/sit ups different times for different ages. Very basic standard of fitness unless your a complete couch potatoe it'll be comfortable. Getting through the aptitudes nd then the interview are definitely more difficult and should get more attention.
Good luck getting threw stage one, il be borderline pass or fail I think didn't quite go according to plan. Roll on the results:)

3fullback

8.8 in a beep test for males is a high enough standard to be fair !

kiddums

3fullback wrote: »

8.8 in a beep test for males is a high enough standard to be fair !

Ok, but what does that actually mean?
8 runs at level 8?
Is a run just the 20m, or is it there and back?

Jimmymcnulty86 wrote: »

It's on the Garda website. Bleep Test/push ups/sit ups different times for different ages. Very basic standard of fitness unless your a complete couch potatoe it'll be comfortable. Getting through the aptitudes nd then the interview are definitely more difficult and should get more attention.
Good luck getting threw stage one, il be borderline pass or fail I think didn't quite go according to plan. Roll on the results:)

I'm a recovering couch potato, lol. Never really got into sports, or did a whole pile about fitness, but I'm not a slob either.
I understand that I have to pass a lot of other parts for this to become relevant, but I may as well start on it now. Would be good to keep it up regardless too.

Jimmymcnulty86

Sorry if I came across smart. 8.8 is only about 10 minutes running up and down with the first 6/7 minutes at a slow pace. For anybody worried about fitness this is very achievable with a bit of work.
The fitness stage (which means you got through 3 aptitudes and an interview) will be the easiest part. Wouldn't get to dogged down on fitness test yet getting there is the hard part. Just my opinion

KERSPLAT!

I don't think I'll have a problem with the fitness side but I have started jogging to give me a kick start again! Have been played rugby for about 4 years so I'd be fairly fit, though I haven't been since just before Christmas

carzony

I'm totally unfit. Has been somthing i'v wanted to address for the last year or so but just can't bring myself to start it. Most excercise I get would be an hours walk with the dog every night lol..

lukesmom

carzony wrote: »

I'm totally unfit. Has been somthing i'v wanted to address for the last year or so but just can't bring myself to start it. Most excercise I get would be an hours walk with the dog every night lol..

Fair play that's an hour more than i get

carzony

lukesmom wrote: »

Fair play that's an hour more than i get

It's funny I eat nothing but fast food, hardly excersize and still can't seem to get above 11 stone.. i'm 21 but look about 18:o:o

Shield

Tried the Couch to 5k running program? It's worked miracles for many people I know. Why not look it up and give it a go? A dog will run with you every time.

D Trent

Shield wrote: »

Tried the Couch to 5k running program? It's worked miracles for many people I know. Why not look it up and give it a go? A dog will run with you every time.

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=7JcyFOFs5QU

carzony

D Trent wrote: »

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=7JcyFOFs5QU

Actually seems very easy looking at that. i'd say any lad who uses a gym even once a week would do well there.

RUNNER 1

I done it before il tell you now 8.8 is high standard, it only 5.5 in uk on 15 meter track.

carzony

I think if they test you on fitness when you first apply then why not continually test members every so often. I mean all that testing means nothing if you'v put on a few stone a year later lol...

RUNNER 1

i am in the gym at the mo ,weight lifting and iv put up weight, old me would get to 8.8 and over , now id be lucky ta get to 6 , if i do get past my tests il have to start training lol

carzony

RUNNER 1 wrote: »

i am in the gym at the mo ,weight lifting and iv put up weight, old me would get to 8.8 and over , now id be lucky ta get to 6 , if i do get past my tests il have to start training lol

All the young lads seem to spend their lives in the gym these days, drinking that protein ****:D. Don't know how they do it. I just hate the thought of killing myself in the gym everyday.

RUNNER 1

Im in 4-5 days a week , tbh weights are easy , id make such a balls of the Running if i had to do it now , the push up and press up ya onl y hav ta get ta like 25 , i can do 25 with one hand :P lol

carzony

RUNNER 1 wrote: »

Im in 4-5 days a week , tbh weights are easy , id make such a balls of the Running if i had to do it now , the push up and press up ya onl y hav ta get ta like 25 , i can do 25 with one hand :P lol

Just keep running

Ye, 25 and no time limit seems easy to me?

RUNNER 1

Ya very easy , id still say a few will fail that test if they get to that stage the test isnt as easy as it use ta be.

ann.lewis

Defo not. It's defo not as easy as it was. I did the old one and it was grand.
Already doing some strength training and seeing results for this time round. Back running aswell so that will keep the weight in check.

I know of course its being very optimistic that I pass all the stages to get to the fitness but sure its for my health as well in the mean time and going forward. Cause there's no way youd get fit if you were told youd have your fitness in 2 weeks or whatever.

Keep pluggin away guys in the gym.. it'll all stand to yee

RUNNER 1

Ann.lewis canyou remember what the beep test was set as before?or did they even do it before?

3fullback

No beep test previously afaik ! A buddy told me 8.8 is some where in line with 'some' special forces/units around the world, think he mentioned the Aussies !! Seems a bit much tbh. In comparison to previous recruitments.

RUNNER 1

Ya like i said in Uk its only 5.5 . im doin the test with a mate this eve i cant see myself gettin that far , 8.8 is the uk army and the police in oz , im in shock its so high.

whatinthe

8.8 is average!! Have a look around for various bleep test norms/ranges. Other police forces, such as the Met, use a 15m shuttle.

3fullback

whatinthe wrote: »

8.8 is average!! Have a look around for various bleep test norms/ranges. Other police forces, such as the Met, use a 15m shuttle.

That post seems a little contradictory ! 8.8 is a high standard.

ann.lewis

RUNNER 1 wrote: »

Ann.lewis canyou remember what the beep test was set as before?or did they even do it before?

Hey Runner, there was no bleep test before..it was the circut 3 times and the push pull. That was all but it was still nerve wrecking to do and hope you push/pull enough.

Push ups are the bees knees for upper body strength for that.

thekopend

whatinthe wrote: »

8.8 is average!! Have a look around for various bleep test norms/ranges. Other police forces, such as the Met, use a 15m shuttle.

Not average if you ask me, we do a beep test every week as part of pre season football training, still tough.

thekopend

ann.lewis wrote: »

Hey Runner, there was no bleep test before..it was the circut 3 times and the push pull. That was all but it was still nerve wrecking to do and hope you push/pull enough.

Push ups are the bees knees for upper body strength for that.

The circuit is still going to be part of it along with the push pull, they have added the sit up/push up's and beep test on top of that, whores!

ann.lewis

thekopend wrote: »

The circuit is still going to be part of it along with the push pull, they have added the sit up/push up's and beep test on top of that, whores!

I know that yea.. bring it on

whatinthe

thekopend wrote: »

Not average if you ask me, we do a beep test every week as part of pre season football training, still tough.

But it is in terms of Vo2 max! If you haven't done much running then yes 8.8 is not easy, but in terms of fitness testing levels it is average. I was moreso targeting the post where it compared the level to that of various special forces tests! We're not applying for the SAS

thekopend

http://www.topendsports.com/testing/norms/beep.htm

Find your age and what you should be doing. Turns out 8.8 is average for my age. I'm able to do better tho thankfully

carzony

thekopend wrote: »

http://www.topendsports.com/testing/norms/beep.htm

Find your age and what you should be doing. Turns out 8.8 is average for my age. I'm able to do better tho thankfully

From what i'v seen on youtube it's a very straight forward easy test?? i don't even run either. I really don't think there is any reason to fear the fitness stage and being honest I was terrified of it until I done the bit of research.

wandatowell

There's no harm in getting some practice in before hand though. I presume during Templemore there will be various times when you will be doing physical training.

Having gone through something similar in the Defence Forces people would be very wise in getting their fitness to as high a level as possible. Both for your own wellbeing and also to give you an advantage over other recruits.

dunner515

Hope this info helps

What are the physical requirements?

The Physical Assessment is comprised of a Physical Competency Test (PCT) and a Physical Fitness Test. All
elements of the Physical Assessment must be passed at the pre-entry level.

The PCT is a test of job-related physical fitness. It consists of an obstacle course followed by a push and pull test.
Students must pass the PCT at pre-entry to be admitted to Phase 1 of training.

The Obstacle Course
Students are required to complete 3 laps within 3 minutes 20 seconds. The course involves sprinting, sharp
changes in direction, running under barriers, over gates, up and down stairs, over a jump, carrying a weight a
prescribed distance by pulling a mannequin along the ground. Gardaí are often required to perform one or more
of the above in their day-to-day duties.

The Push and Pull
The push and pull test is carried out on an isokinetic machine and is designed to mimic an adult wrestling
(pushing and pulling) at the lapel height of a 5 foot 7 inch male. In order to pass this test one must produce an
average force of 25 kg over a 20 second period. However if one scores 3 minutes on the obstacle course a force
of 22.5 kg is considered a pass on the push and pull test.

Physical Fitness Test (20m Shuttle Test and Muscular Endurance Test)
20M shuttle test /The Bleep Test
This multistage fitness test, also known as the 20 meter shuttle test (Loughborough 2O MST) is now a very
common test of aerobic fitness. The test involves continuous running between two lines, 20 meters apart in time
to recorded beeps. This time beeps decreases every minute. The initial running velocity is 8.5 km/hr, which
increases one km/hr every minute. The athletes score is the level and the numbers of shuttles recorded before
they are unable to keep up with the tape recording. This can be converted to a VO2 max score. Males should
achieve 8 shuttles at level 8 (corresponding to a VO2 max of 42.4 ml/kg/min) and females should achieve 6
shuttles at level 7 (corresponding to a VO2 max score of 38.5 mI/kg/mm).

Minimum Standards for the Shuttle Test

Age Males Females
18-25yrs Level 8.7 Level 7.5
26-35yrs Level 8.1 Level 6.6

Muscular Endurance Test
Sit up and Press Ups
Both tests measure muscular endurance i.e. the ability to perform many repetitions of the same exercise. They are
widely used as measures of muscular endurance. The press-up measures mostly upper body muscular strength as
well as the strength of the core of the body. The sit-up measures muscular endurance in the abdominal muscles.
Males must perform 35 sit-ups in a minute and must perform 25 press-ups (no time limit). Females must
perform 30 sit-ups in a minute and must perform 20 press-ups (no time limit).

Fitness Assessment Minimum Standards

Minimum Standards for the ‘Sit Up’ Test (one minute)

Age Males Females
18-25yrs 35 30
26-35yrs 32 27

Minimum Standards for the Press Up Test (no time restriction)

carrig4life

35Sit ups in a minute is no joke

sawdoubters

I would start jogging now,do some pushups,when your out in front in the test they will thik your a leader

colm anderson

35 sit-ups in 1 minute is difficult, I can do 35 in 70secs but they are technically poor sit-ups.

pugsnotdrugs13

Better renew that gym membership!!!!

Aiel

That's great information about all that's required. I'll re-double my efforts with a combination of Gym, Outdoor running, cycling and swimming. Of course we all need to pass to Stage 3 first and then through that and the interview but no harm in racking up the intensity for it.
My best score for the bleep test was when I was back in Secondary school, I lasted till 109.

redout

Im not even considering PCT until I know whether or not I get an interview. Makes no sense whatsoever unless of course you are considerably overweight/unfit etc. Just another thing to be worrying about. If you are informed that you have an interview then surely time between being informed, hopefully being successful and being required to do the PCT would be well over a month or so. I reckon you would be given about 2 weeks notice for interview, then perhaps another 2 weeks if not longer for outcome as well as another few weeks before being scheduled for a PCT. That should be ample time for people to sort themselves if they put in the effort and really want it.

RUNNER 1

^^^^^ Couldnt agree more Redout alot of people jumping the gun , but no harm either .

mycro89

The ball could be burst for a lot of applicants after stage 2, deep breaths and one step at the time

RUNNER 1

They will cut a 2000 for sure

mycro89

RUNNER 1 wrote: »

They will cut a 2000 for sure

What is you definition of "cut" , remove from the process is it?

RUNNER 1

Ya remove , cant see more than 3000 . like at the end of the day it 300 there taken on.

carzony

RUNNER 1 wrote: »

Ya remove , cant see more than 3000 . like at the end of the day it 300 there taken on.

300 this year... how many for year 2 and 3 :eek::eek:

redout

carzony wrote: »

300 this year... how many for year 2 and 3 :eek::eek:

Who knows? I don't think 300 for this year is even set in stone. I think Shatter said 250/300. Lets hope its the latter.

Aiel

Was it not 300 in total they are taking on plus 100 fluent Irish speakers? I thought that was it or are they taking more then that from this recruitment drive?

RUNNER 1

250 - 300 this drive , im 100% on that

Chem Lord

250-300 for 2-3 years? That really doesn't seem right? I thought it was 250-300 per year.

thekopend

its 250-300 this year with 6% irish speakers. then every year after that it will be a matter keeping the numbers at 13,000 which will mean they will replace whatever retires each year. retirements could be anything from 250 to 400 a year