Physical Fitness

BreadnBuddha

It strikes me as odd that many of the most popular or active bloggers, podcasters and vloggers (youtube, vimeo etc) on the subjects of survivalism and self sufficiency, be it on the EOTWAWKI or more run of the mill end of things, are very often obviously unhealthy, often heavily overweight and unlikely to be classed amongst those physically prepared for a hardship or difficult environmental event.

I'm not suggesting everyone should be like some kind of highly trained spec-ops soldier, or should be in their physical prime, just for the purpose of ridiculing them or devaluing their contributions. The thing I just don't understand about it is that physical and mental health and wellbeing are absolutely essential when it comes to survival and making it through the toughest of times.

My question therefore is just what exactly are we all doing to prepare ourselves in this regard? I see a huge amount of information being shared, tips on bargains and things to buy, save and do in terms of kit/equipment/books/downloads and whatever. What if anything are you folks doing to ensure your bodies are as well maintained as your breakdown kit in the car, the tin stores in your cupboards and your EDC and SHTF carryout kit?

Suggestions, comments and helpful insight into ways to do some common sense physical training most appreciated! I don't mean time on exercise equipment or the gym, I'm talking about PT that requires minimal or no equipment except a pair of trainers and some willpower.

endacl

Some kind of TRX training? Originated with Navy Seals in the US. Bodyweight training, using minimal or no equipment.

wolfeye

Properly trained feet /broken in waterproof footwear are important if your hiking 100's of km out of a situation @ 30km a day.
Body and joints need to be conditioned to carry your rucksack with gear over varying terrain.
No fun hobbling along with blisters on the soles of your feet and toe nails falling out.

Being dry is important so good water proof raingear is essential and waterproof liner for rucksack.
You need clothes and sleeping bag to suit the climate.

Getting enough calories in will be a problem hiking long distances.
I found after 30 consecutive days hiking my body muscle mass decreased alot.

Also sleep deprivation in a survival situation could be problem because of heightened stress.So that needs to be dealt with also.

Set small goals attainable each day rather than concentrating on a final end goal,breaking it down makes it easier.

Just a few of my thoughts...

BreadnBuddha

wolfeye wrote: »

Properly trained feet /broken in waterproof footwear are important if your hiking 100's of km out of a situation @ 30km a day.
Body and joints need to be conditioned to carry your rucksack with gear over varying terrain.
No fun hobbling along with blisters on the soles of your feet and toe nails falling out.

Being dry is important so good water proof raingear is essential and waterproof liner for rucksack.
You need clothes and sleeping bag to suit the climate.

Getting enough calories in will be a problem hiking long distances.
I found after 30 consecutive days hiking my body my body muscle mass decreased alot.

Also sleep deprivation in a survival could be problem because of heightened stress.So that needs to be dealt with also.

Set small goals attainable each day rather than concentrating on a final end goal,breaking it down makes it easier.

Just a few of my thoughts...

Thanks, but you see, there's the thing I'm talking about right there - Boots, Rucksack, Raingear, Clothing, Sleeping Bag....Food intake. A huge amount of what we're talking about the whole time reverts to equipment and provisions in some way. It's where all the focus seems to be placed and I think everyone should be refocusing.

My personal thoughts on this would be more along the lines of:

Maintain a healthy body and mind by exercising both, regularly.
Don't sit around at night looking for trinkets on DX or fleabay if you've a belly on you and you could be out getting yourself in shape. Great boots and a good sleeping bag are SFA use if you're a wheezing fat unfit walter mitty type with a rucksack full of knives and paracord and you can barely carry yourself 20km, let alone a pile of your late night purchases with you.
Read a book, old crafts skills or similar, something that will make you exercise that mind instead of just watching a 'how to' on youtube. Train yourself to think things through, to visualise things, to invent solutions. It's a matter of preparing yourself to be creative when things take a turn to the worse for you, whatever that might be. An active mind, trained to solve problems can adapt. A media fed noggin is of sod all use when you need something but can't look at a wiki or youtube video on how to make it, fix it or do it.

Activity, physical activity is what gives us the very best ability to adapt and survive, in a hands on way. Having knowledge and tools is no good if your body is unable to do the things you should have trained and conditioned it to do. Mind first, body second, equipment last. That's the order of priority as I see it.

So, EndaCL's on the right course I think. That conditioning program looks to be accessible to all and something that you don't even need to buy their kit for. A few bits and pieces of common 'survivalist' webbing and grab handles and you'd have all you need. The main thing is that it's all about physical training and conditioning for the entire body. I like the look of that!

my3cents

I'm out every day with a rucksack which is filled way beyond any need I have for the 3 mile walk I do. It is a matter of local speculation what I carry in said rucksack. If I can I do 4 or more miles but I can't always fit that in. For the first month of the year I started doing exercises when out but then we had some really cold wet weather I gave up, but its something I must get back to.

I think its a great idea to have good well broken in waterproof boots but as I wade across a couple of rivers everyday I've got used to walking miles in wellies so I have a good well broken in pair of feet instead.

btw I definitely don't consider myself fit.

wolfeye

Fair enough.

But i dont fancy hiking barefoot ,without clothes in this climate.

For survival you need water,shelter,food.

If you dont get enough water you will get dehydrated
This will affect physical exertion and your brain functioning.

Try a night sleeping outside at -5 celcius and your see what i mean by needing a good sleeping bag to have a comfortable nights sleep when your hypothermic..

Lack of food,will affect physical exertion you get weaker.
The brain also needs food(glucose).
So if your not eating properly its not going to function properly .

I never said physical fitness was'nt important.It's an important spoke on the wheel of survival.But without water and food you wont be going far no matter how fit you are.

Being prepared with good gear is another spoke.

Knowledge and a positive mind are other spokes.

Improvising ,adapting ,and overcoming different situations is important also no matter how much food water and gear you have.

BreadnBuddha

Right, great. Now, back to the point. Physical training. Not equipment, supplies and all of that. Physical training.

What are other folks doing in relation to physical training? I'm talking about whole body fitness things. Strength, stamina, flexibility. What do you do, for how long, how often, where etc.

aaakev

Im in the gym 4 times a week lifting weights, i hunt which os usually a hike for a few hours and i run the odd evening

Tabnabs

I tried running last year, I found it bored me to tears, just not for me. But I resurrected my old road bike and have been putting in the hours on a turbo trainer over winter. A good investment when the weather is just too crappy to continue outside.

I recently started getting more miles in the hills and found that my fitness isn't the problem but my footwear is. After 18km my feet just wouldn't do any more. I rescued the situation before it got too miserable thankfully. So new socks are on order (the boots are fine). So I think you can't totally rule out some level of gear buy-in.

aaakev

Yeah iv had middle of the road boots and suffered the blisters as a result, now im in a pair of meindl army pro and haven't had one yet

my3cents

Tabnabs wrote: »

I tried running last year, I found it bored me to tears, just not for me. But I resurrected my old road bike and have been putting in the hours on a turbo trainer over winter. A good investment when the weather is just too crappy to continue outside.

I recently started getting more miles in the hills and found that my fitness isn't the problem but my footwear is. After 18km my feet just wouldn't do any more. I rescued the situation before it got too miserable thankfully. So new socks are on order (the boots are fine). So I think you can't totally rule out some level of gear buy-in.

I think you need to get out when the weather is just too crappy to continue outside for three reasons. One its what you might have to do for real one day, two it tests your gear and three it tests you.

I don't mean every time its crappy weather but you need to push on occasionally. I'm in the process of getting better waterproofs because while mine do the job, under really bad conditions gortex and its copies just fail to perform. Only way to find that out is by being out there.

That brings me back to my point three above "it tests you". You can be really fit in a gym but if you don't have the will to survive then forget it. Not saying you don't, but its another factor that needs mentioning.

wolfeye

Fitness discussed here previously. http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=76501357 http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056957878

Tabnabs

my3cents wrote: »

I think you need to get out when the weather is just too crappy to continue outside for three reasons. One its what you might have to do for real one day, two it tests your gear and three it tests you.

I don't mean every time its crappy weather but you need to push on occasionally. I'm in the process of getting better waterproofs because while mine do the job, under really bad conditions gortex and its copies just fail to perform. Only way to find that out is by being out there.

That brings me back to my point three above "it tests you". You can be really fit in a gym but if you don't have the will to survive then forget it. Not saying you don't, but its another factor that needs mentioning.

I've no interest in cycling on a dark December night with rain/sleet pelting down on me. A bike isn't part of my bug out plan so no matter the weather it'll be left behind. But for fitness training, 45 minutes x 3 times a week on the turbo trainer is a great benefit.

I'll walk in any weather up the hills (apart from fog, that's just stupid) and have the will and the gear to endure, but there's a time to push your limits and a time to build up your reserves.

ShadowFox

Personally my physical fitness is in the toilet at the moment due to a serious back injury so bugging out isn't an option for me so I've turned my intentions on bugging in either in my house or a relations who is like minded. In my opinion it doesn't matter how fit you are if
1 you don't have the mentality to think fast adapt to different situations quickly
2 you need to have the best gear or equipment you can afford and know how to use maintain or repair if needed .
I'll feel a whole lot better in a shtf scenario knowing I have gear to help me out rather than worries about how I'm going to get something to make what I need . Mental fitness is number one physical fitness I'd class as your fit once you can carry what you need and still move freely.