Marine Corps PT

Physical fitness for a Marine means:

• The maintenance of a healthy body
• The endurance to withstand the stress of prolonged activity and adverse environment
• The capacity to endure the discomforts that accompany fatigue and the maintenance of combat effectiveness

In other words, the activities that Marines do on a daily basis require you to be in top physical condition.  Would you want to be in combat with someone who isn’t in shape and is easily fatigued?  That’s why Marine Corps fitness requirements are so high.  If we are expected to be the first to fight then we definitely need to be in great physical condition. 

The high level of physical fitness that you’ll enjoy in boot camp will only last a short while unless fitness training becomes one of your personal habits.  I would advise you to start making physical fitness a major part of your life, if you don’t already.  If you are physically fit you’ll look better, feel better and perform better.  Not to mention, you’ll get promoted faster because the PFT is a major factor in determining your eligibility. 

If you are new to physical fitness and need some direction, I recommend you download one of my beginner workout plans.  These plans feature the same exercises you’ll do in the Marine Corps, except in a less demanding fashion.  The best advice I can give you if you are just starting out is, DON’T OVERDO IT!  Start out easy and only do more when you feel you are ready.