Garda Physical Fitness Test

I would definitely concentrate on the Beep Test - for me, it was (and remains) the bane of my existence. I failed my first campaign because of the beep test, but passed first time around in the 2019 campaign.

There's no two ways around it - find a straight stretch that you can mark out 20 metres on, for me it's my parents' tarmac (and I marked it a little longer at 21/22 metres). There are several apps out there that you can use, I have an iphone so I just downloaded 'Beep Test' app (green background with a white silhouette). It gives you the option of picking 15 metres or 20 metres and gives you an audible announcement each time it changes levels.

Do it again and again and again and again ... and again. There's no trick to it, it's just a matter of pacing yourself and getting better at using the space you have - don't step over the line, don't do a turn around, yes it's okay to have your back foot JUST touching the line and the other stepping waaaaaay out. It's okay to miss one beep, so long as you haul ass and meet the next one

No, running 5km or 10km won't get you used to a beep test. I can head off on a 10km run no problem, settle into my playlist and try beat my usual time, but I still end up bent over trying to catch my breath with the beep test

It's as much a mental hurdle as a physical one. Once you get the score you need once, that hurdle is out of your head and you know you can do it.

Maybe look into doing some personal training classes too? I go to the gym two or three times a week for strength and conditioning classes and I found it really helpful for keeping me in shape, and for helping me with the push/pull machine.

the fitness test is all mental, at the end of the day you are only running 1.65-1.85 of a km, 7-8.5 mins total running, depending on which level to reach, which isn't a lot when you break it down, practice the bleep test a lot to learn the rhythm to get into, start slow and gradually pace yourself, quicker and quicker, your foot only has to touch the line, and if your quick on your step you can be turned and gone before the beep comes , near the higher levels

compared to Claire's very good advice above , I would strongly advise 5km running, during your training, if you can run a 5km in less then 26 mins then you will have absolutely no problem passing the fitness test as your body is used to that level of intensity of the '8.2-8.8' beep level, for a longer period of time, I have helped people for fitness tests, that 5km run time was 33 mins , and trained to get down to 26 mins in a short space of time, and then fly the fitness test,

again, the push pull, gyms are closed so your going to have to use your initiative, if you live on a farm get a 25 kg bag of fertiliser, sand, or anything over the crook of a gate near the hanger and stand near the fulcrum and get in the push pull stance and pull and push the gate while keeping stance,

these are only my opinions, everyone has different training techniques, but most importantly, practice the beep test at least twice a week,
if anyone needs the beep recording, I can send it onto ya, or advise , feel free to message me

Deano.f87 wrote: »

Is the medical always b4 the pct?
I'm struggling with sit ups and push ups. Currently doing a program from a pt hoping to be up to scratch by end of July guessing there may be pct happening then. As per the gossip.
You just gotta do as much as u can repeat repeat repeat. Losing weight will help with push ups etc if ya need to.

Nope, generally the Medical will only be scheduled on condition that you pass the PCT. You will be sent an email before the PCT with a GP clearance form, this needs to be signed by your own GP and emailed back (I also brought a copy with me on the day of the PCT).

For me, I got the email with my PCT date and time and about a day later I got another email advising me that if successful with the PCT, I would be required to attend the medical in Dublin the following week.

MrMiata wrote: »

I'm still waiting for my fitness test.
I passed my interview back in January, submitted the form b in early March but I haven't heard from them since, for those who have done it, are they usually this slow?
Should I be getting onto them?

There was an issue with my form b that I had to rectify, but I emailed them the corrected version, surely that hasn't held me up, has it?

No, generally they're not this slow, but generally there also isn't a global pandemic going on either.

As we all know, things got put on the back burner in order to get a handle on this Covid situation. It wasn't possible to schedule PCTs when there were no staff in Templemore - all trainee members and instructors were sent out to stations to help with the pandemic.

It also wouldn't have been feasible to schedule PCTs and medicals when the wider public were instructed to stay home and social distance.

Things will get back to normality soon enough - we're getting there as it is, but public health is the priority.

MrMiata wrote: »

Thanks, yeah I know the whole things been delayed due to Covid, I just thought it was a little funny that I haven't heard a peep out of them since submitting my form b.

Fingers crossed things start getting back to normal!
This delay was probably the best thing for me as it's given me time to work on my fitness.

Don't stress too much I think there was six weeks to two months between submitting my Form B and doing my PCT. As I said, generally there wouldn't be this much time between them, but given the pandemic and the redistribution of personnel, it's be be expected.

They could continue with the vetting etc in the background, but PCTs and Medicals came to a standstill.

Things are starting to get rolling again now - they'll probably do the PCTs like how they're doing the intakes - few and often instead of one big batch like how it was, so just keep an eye on your emails and keep up the training

ClaireMcGrath wrote: »

Don't stress too much I think there was six weeks to two months between submitting my Form B and doing my PCT. As I said, generally there wouldn't be this much time between them, but given the pandemic and the redistribution of personnel, it's be be expected.

They could continue with the vetting etc in the background, but PCTs and Medicals came to a standstill.

Things are starting to get rolling again now - they'll probably do the PCTs like how they're doing the intakes - few and often instead of one big batch like how it was, so just keep an eye on your emails and keep up the training

Got off the couch and managed the 8.8 I need there today, delighted!
I've taken up cycling and I think that's helped build up my legs.. and of course the running.

My main reason for asking was I'm actually still in college so I was hoping I'd get in before next September.. if not I'm paying out for fees only to leave part way through the year, but what can ya do.

MrMiata wrote: »

I'm still waiting for my fitness test.
I passed my interview back in January, submitted the form b in early March but I haven't heard from them since, for those who have done it, are they usually this slow?
Should I be getting onto them?

There was an issue with my form b that I had to rectify, but I emailed them the corrected version, surely that hasn't held me up, has it?

I only sent my formb in the other week. And when I emailed.them about a change they responded within an hour so they are defo working away. It's the covid that's stopping booking fitness test. Once they get the staff back in templemore it should kick off again.

MrMiata wrote: »

Got off the couch and managed the 8.8 I need there today, delighted!
I've taken up cycling and I think that's helped build up my legs.. and of course the running.

My main reason for asking was I'm actually still in college so I was hoping I'd get in before next September.. if not I'm paying out for fees only to leave part way through the year, but what can ya do.

if your so sure about this career and that your going to take it, is it really necessary to finish the course? I know it looks good having your degree and all and jumping pay scales , I mean I understand if your paying to go into 3rd or 4th year , and getting a qualification, but other then that id be dropping out and getting a job in a factory for example and saving up the pennys,

a friend of mine was offered templemore and he was in his 3rd year of a business course, and got offered AGS in January and he was going dropping out but they actually encouraged him to finish his course and then offered him a place in a June intake, but that was 3 years ago now, different times now though of course

how is everyones training going for the pct? a good audio to listen to, to get the inbetween levels (6.1 ,6.2 ect) is on youtube, type in 'beep test audio', its identical to the exam one