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.