Overcoming PFT Anxiety
Everyone entering the Marine Corps or any other branch of service will experience PFT anxiety at some point if not every time they have to perform a PFT. It’s no different than the anxiety we feel before taking a test in school. It’s natural to be a little nervous but if your anxiety is so bad that it interferes with your performance, it becomes a major problem.
So what can you do about it?
Here are a few tips to help you get rid of the anxiety and excel at your PFT.
- Practice - this is probably the most important tip I can offer you. If you will practice taking your PFT on a regular basis, you will always know where you stand. When you go to take your PFT, it will be just another workout.
- Get used to a stopwatch – stopwatches can be intimidating if you aren’t used to them. Especially when drill instructors are screaming your times out to you. You should own a stopwatch and use it often. This is the only way to overcome the fear of having to do something in a certain time limit. It is also the only way you will be able to learn your pace.
- Relax and think positive – focus on what you want to achieve during your PFT instead of worrying about what you might not achieve. You become what you think about so if you are thinking about what you want to achieve, you will likely achieve it.
- Eat healthy – this should be common sense. If you know you have a PFT coming up, you should be sure to eat as healthy as possible. Stay away from fried foods.
- Drink plenty of water – stay away from carbonated drinks and load up on water instead. Also stay away from alcohol before a PFT.
I’ve seen a lot of Marines with anxiety before a PFT. Many of them had it so bad that they could not focus on what they needed to do. I would say that 99% of them had such anxiety because they did not prepare, were a bit out of shape, or spent the night before at the club drinking too much beer. Of course, if you are in boot camp you won’t have these problems. Just make sure you are very comfortable with a stop watch before going to boot camp.
I’m currently running a mile at 8min and 35sec. I can’t run all three without stopping to catch my breath but I do finish three miles in 29 minutes, I also do 9 pull ups not chin ups, and 30 sit ups. I’m trying my best to prepare for the marines. What do you think I can do to improve?
Samuel,
You need to at least double the sit ups, cut the run time down. Start slower, you seem to be running to fast. If you end up running 10-12 minute miles, that’s fine as long as you don’t stop until all 3 miles are done. The times will improve. As for the pull ups, 9 isn’t too bad a number considering your other stats. Just keep it up and you’ll do more and more. Research warm up and exercise routines and your recruiter (when and if you have one) will give you a little flip chart on working out to use at home.
Hello,
I am a 29 yr old female who has wanted to join the Marines for YEARS but I have always convinced myself that I couldn’t do it. At this point in my life, if I don’t do it I will forever regret it and the longing isn’t going to just go away. I run about 3 miles regularly but my times aren’t good enough at this point. The more I do it, the better I get so I am sure I can get my time down. But…do you think I am too old at this point? Do they make a huge deal about that when you go to bootcamp?! Also, can this book be purchased like a normal book or is it only downloadable?
Adrienne, running is all about practice and nutrition. As you said, the more you do it the better you get as should be the case if you are striving to do better each time. The maximum age for enlistment into the Marine Corps without prior service is 28. If you are serious about joining though, you should talk to a recruiter and see if there is a way around this age limit. They will have all the details about that.
Thanks for your input!! I will contact a recruiter! (This is VERY scary! haha!)
what’s another good work out that could help me on my pull ups I’m currently doing 15 pull ups and I want to try to get that up a little higher so I can at least attempt to get into force recon
I have about a year and a half before I leave to bootcamp. Im about 5’10, 140 pounds. For 3 miles it takes me 20 minutes. I can do only about 10 pull ups. What would you suggest I do to improve in all areas and also my size?
Also, what kinds of foods should I eat?
Hi,
I’m serious about joining the marines, only problem is my weight, i know i can do it but i wanna loss the weight as fast as possible so i can enlist, any tips?
vanessa there are plenty of ways to lose weight. You could get a joging suit and run it this will make you sweat a lot but it will also help you lose weight. Also you could cut back on grain and bread prouducts that could help you to. Also just working out 3 to 4 times a week will help even a light workout. Just don’t over do it or strain your self
Hi,
I’m serious about joining the marines, only problem is my weight, i know i can do it but i wanna loss the weight as fast as possible so i can enlist, any tips?
cole is right up until the end. your are considering joining the toughest branch of the united states military. this is not your park district run your training for this is a lifestyle bred in blood sweat and no tears you WILL be strained if you im only 16 and everyday i put on a usmc hoodie and a 90lb backpack and run my 3 miles you need to train ur body but more importanly your mind to fight the strain. focus on the task and destroy it.
Rob, you are a champion.
Stop wondering if or how. You have the tools you need. practice running your three mile. I don’t care if it takes you an hour and a half to finish. As long as you finish it and do not stop, you realize that you can do it. It gets easier and your time decreases. once you can finish and time starts getting better, wear a back pack with weight in it. It increases the speed of your run. That’s only after you can finish the whole three mile.
my name is caleb and im wanting to join the marines when i get out of high school. but i cant do pull ups to well and my running is ok…any tips so i can be ready for it.
Are there any female marines or future marines? I’m dead on joining the marine corp and I was just wondering what to expect from bootcamp and also what do I need to do to prepare for it.
I have been in the Corps for a little over 2 1/2 years and have sufffered form PT anxiety. When I entered the DEP in 08, I started of running 1 1/2 in 16 mins, 8 pull ups and 88 crunches. It was terrible but I realized that I had to change my eating habits and start PT on a regular basis. As of late, I do 20 pull ups, 100 crunches and a 23 min run time. I would greatly suggest that you practice on a daily basis but start of small first. Start with seeing how fast you can run 1 1/2 in 13 mins, How man crunches you can do in 1 min and Your best set of max pull ups. Good Luck as your future in the Corps awaits and Semper Fi!!
Running hurts, PERIOD. Sure, training and nutrition play a major role but in the end, it’s not so much about you against the stopwatch.
It’s about you against that little voice inside you that’s telling you to quit.
hey im 16 years old and im thinking of joining the marines im 5-8 and 135 pounds i can do 16 pull ups 80 sit ups and 3 miles in 18 mins what do u think i should improve?
Hi,
I’m enlisted in the Marines and shipping out Dec. 13th. I’ve never been a distance runner and I continue to struggle with getting my time down. Any last minute suggestions as I only have 30 days left till Boot Camp.
Looking for people or stories about Marines who have gone to extreme lengths to meet physical standards, liposuction, extreme diets, etc. Confidential contacts needed for news story.
Call 301-793-1480 or ssobel@macstrategies.com
Im 18 and joining the Marines. and im wanting to get in to recon. im 5 11 and 206 pounds. i’ve had a problem doing pull ups but know they are getting easy. but can you do chin ups at boot for the pft’s test or not?
Simon, your run time is great, your pullups are pretty good and your situps probably need some work. Look up on youtube or something the form for doing crunches for the pft. Ideally you want to be able to do 100 without stopping. Do them daily and your count will go up fast. Look up the armstrong pullup method to get up to 20 and beyond. Put on some bulk.
Sean, you probably have trouble doing pullups because you’re 5’11″ and 206 lbs. Run distances and intervals on seperate days and you’ll greatly increase your stamina and speed and start getting leaner which will help you with pullups. Also, review the Armstrong method. I didn’t use it but a lot of people I know did and it works great.
I’m 20, 5’11″, 150lbs, I can do 10 pullups easily, at least 45 situps in 2 minutes, but need to work a little on running. I’m looking at about a 6-7 month delay for getting sent to boot camp. From that info what is some advice or tips for working out to get me prepared as much as possible for boot camp?
Hey im 17 and im set to go to paris island in october, i run 1.5 miles in 12 minutes and i can do 107 crunches in 2 minutes and about 13 pull ups. im not too worried about my physical preparation im just concerned about the mental preparation. is there any way i can prepare for that and dealing with the drill instructers, im axcious but im the same time im shitting bricks
Hi,
I have been thinking about different options after i graduate high school. I am 16 years old, i only weigh about 110 and not very strong. I have started taking Army JROTC at my school to help me with my physical conditioning. My dad was a corporal in the corps and a close friend is a master sgt. i have begun reading some of my dads old books that were issued to him in boot camp but i am still in need of advise.
Everyone on here is right I’ve been a Marine for about 2 years now went from 205 at boot to 285 with in 7 months it’s not hard just commitment which you need if you want to be a Marine, personally to help not fall out of a run I’m a fan the USMC quote “When the Mind fails your body must suffer” keep thinken that while you run… Your mind will always fail before your body will
Hey everyone, for the future female marines what to expect at bootcamp. You are treated with the same training as the males and you just have to suck up your tears and fears and put them aside. If you don’t that will bring you down. Its mainly all about your mental attitude and pushing your emotions to the limit. It’s a lot of work and you have to be willing to get down and dirty and YELL!! I loved it I am actually thinking about going to the drill field. Just if you think you can do it make sure you push yourself and really want it before going in. If you have any questions feel free to email me kayla_marie_huskie@yahoo.com
I love talking about boot camp, mct, mos, and now the fleet.
Daniel I have used that technique in JROTC when if we do stop running we fail the semester im glad to hear that its good to use in the Corps to… thanks.
i was wondering does 21 pullups and about 120 sittups and a 930 on mile and ahalf run on pft make me a stand out for squad leader in bootcamp
Giovanni-no it does not make you a squad leader. Squad leader is chosen by the drill instructors based on allot of different qualities they see in you. I do have to say good work on your PT score and if you can get under a 18min 3 mile you will have a perfect score.
Ok i do about a seven minuet mile … seven in about fourty five minuets . i can do 200 situps nonstop , i can do about 14 chinups and about 40 push ups … i love being under presure and dont mind stopwatches i am also in great shape and am highly motovated do u think i could be a marine
O hi its josh again um i forgot to mention that im fourteen and going into highschool
hi,
Ok well im like 5′ 6″‘ and and am in great shape . i can run a mile in seven minuets and can run about seven till i need to stop for a bit. i can do about 200 crunches and about 14 chin ups.. i can do about 40 push ups and i love using stopwatches. i have no problem with being under pressure. so wat i was wondering was if i would be able to make it through bootcamp
Hi
Ok well i ve ben trying to improve i can do about 100 situps in two minuets and i try to run three mile eevery day but i always need to stop at around 2 1\5 miles im still doing around 16 pullups and i realy want to joing the marine infentry corps wen i get out of high school … o ya im 14….. and well i realy need to no if ill make it through boot camp …. im 5 foot 7 inches and weigh about 110 …. dose it sound like ill make it in boot camp or is there something i need to improve befor i join
Really serious about joining up. I’m 17, 6’1, and weigh 155. I can do around 13 pull ups, can run a mile in about 6:30 and can do 90 sit-ups in a minute. I have yet to run the full 3 miles but my endurance is pretty good. Honestly though, i feel quite skinny. Tips on bulking up?
Ok, I’m a freshman in high school and am very serious about becoming a Marine. My problem: I’m not very athletic … at all. I can’t do more than (per minute) 12 push ups, 15 sit ups, 100 crunches, 2 pull ups, and can only run a mile in 17-18 minutes. I am 5’4 and weigh about 135. I know that what I am doing now is definitely not cutting it; any tips on how I should be preparing myself?
hello im 18 years old and im 6’0 and way 260 what is the weight i have to get down to to join the marines ive lost 34 pounds just last months i plan to lose another 50 ion the next 2 months and want to join by may june at the latest. so how much to lose and what would be the best thing to do to lose weight and what work outs should i do to prepare for boot camp i dont want to struggle with it i want to come out on top and be the best. any advice please