Quickest way to get fit?

[smithy_2045]

Trying to get fit as quick as possible is a surefire way to fail.

In what way? Could you explain further?

Just so you know, I'm not looking for a shortcut, I'm just wondering what method will be the best for my fitness, both in speed of action and overall quality.

Especially when coming back from an injury, you don't want to rush things. Start small and work your way up, so you have a good base to build on. Also, setting your goals too high too early means you're much more likely to drop it because things aren't going fast enough.

 

[Gordon_4_v1legacy]

Well my first piece of advice is: do NOT run until your ankle is fully healed and you can run normally. It's not worth fucking up a joint just because you're eager to get back into it.

What I can recommend is doing light circuits ( Body-weight exercises ) press ups, sit ups and pull ups for the mean-time. It'll make passing the time easier and you'll feel productive. Trust me, I've done a lot of running. ( Royal Marine here ) I've had shin splints, torn ligaments and all kinds of problems when I was training ( A few years ago now ) and my instructors always said it wasn't worth risking further injury.

If you're REALLY wanting to get back into it and feel like you can run, do short distances; 3 mile runs at most - do them light and slow. ( This'll still help with Cardio )

Ah, I wondered if there'd be any military-types around here. Hopefully heading that way myself (not the Marines, probably the Paras). Thanks for the advice, I have been trying to keep up the weight training in the time spent off, but I probably should have lessened the amount I eat, as I've gained a bit of weight aswell. I have to admit I've also been feeling a lot more pent up since I stopped running, it helped relieve stress for me extremely well.

Ah...you poor misguided fool...off to join the bloody cherry berrets...

Just step up the weights if you're feeling a bit bored/stressed ( When you do exercise your brain lets off endorphin's, basically natures very own 'Heroin' - it's a feel good drug ) it really helps. I found a few heavier sets when I was injured let me go about my days without moping.

As for eating, if you're planning to join The Paras, put on all the weight you can - I was 75Kg when I began RT, came out the other side sitting at 69Kg and that was after I started putting weight back on. I lost a lot of weight. ( Just make sure you put on the 'right' weight )

Anything else you need to know, give me a bell!

You joined the Military at 75kg? Shit man, I'm joining weighing in at 83kg and I feel bloody light.

Depends what you're doing: I'm about 1.8M tall, 130kg and a friend of mine took one look at me and said 'Support Gunner'. So were I fit for my size (which I'm not) he thinks I could do well with a squad assault weapon. After some basic reading, I'm inclined to agree that big lads like my don't go into the SAS, or the Navy Clearance Divers. So your 83kg is probably a nice happy medium that would open lots of different roles and opportunities to you.

I've got what roles I want down. If my country had a Marine section I'd join that. So far it's just Rifleman for me.

You could try the Navy Clearance Divers; as I understand it they're basically Navy SEALS who moonlight in disarming underwater mines.

 

[Dectomax]

Well my first piece of advice is: do NOT run until your ankle is fully healed and you can run normally. It's not worth fucking up a joint just because you're eager to get back into it.

What I can recommend is doing light circuits ( Body-weight exercises ) press ups, sit ups and pull ups for the mean-time. It'll make passing the time easier and you'll feel productive. Trust me, I've done a lot of running. ( Royal Marine here ) I've had shin splints, torn ligaments and all kinds of problems when I was training ( A few years ago now ) and my instructors always said it wasn't worth risking further injury.

If you're REALLY wanting to get back into it and feel like you can run, do short distances; 3 mile runs at most - do them light and slow. ( This'll still help with Cardio )

Ah, I wondered if there'd be any military-types around here. Hopefully heading that way myself (not the Marines, probably the Paras). Thanks for the advice, I have been trying to keep up the weight training in the time spent off, but I probably should have lessened the amount I eat, as I've gained a bit of weight aswell. I have to admit I've also been feeling a lot more pent up since I stopped running, it helped relieve stress for me extremely well.

Ah...you poor misguided fool...off to join the bloody cherry berrets...

Just step up the weights if you're feeling a bit bored/stressed ( When you do exercise your brain lets off endorphin's, basically natures very own 'Heroin' - it's a feel good drug ) it really helps. I found a few heavier sets when I was injured let me go about my days without moping.

As for eating, if you're planning to join The Paras, put on all the weight you can - I was 75Kg when I began RT, came out the other side sitting at 69Kg and that was after I started putting weight back on. I lost a lot of weight. ( Just make sure you put on the 'right' weight )

Anything else you need to know, give me a bell!

You joined the Military at 75kg? Shit man, I'm joining weighing in at 83kg and I feel bloody light.

Trust me, I was pretty small when I joined up. ( Not a string of piss, but there where lads there MUCH bigger than me ) Even then, it's not size that matters - a lot of the big guys dropped over the 32 weeks; it really was a battle of will more than anything.

Being 6'2, I do like skinny even though I weigh that much. I've got enough time to bulk up a bit more before training atleast. I take it you gained weight during your period of service?

Yeah, I lost a lot during RT ( Stress and periods of no food/sleep followed by rigorous training over 32 weeks )kinda took their toll on me I think I went down to nearly 65Kg at one point. However, after that I started to bulk up again - currently sitting on 77Kg ( I'm only 5"10 ). As long as you eat well, you'll stack on the weight after training.

Well I'm only 5'5, which means that I'll look pretty muscular if I really put the training in but I may not be that heavy, I'm currently about 57kg, but I'm in the midst of putting weight on, long way to go before I actually join, gotta get into Sandhurst first anyway.

And as for my choice of Service, I did consider the Marines but drowning seems like the very worst way to die in my opinion, and I much prefer the thought of leaping from an aeroplane (though obviously not into combat anymore) to any of the stuff the Marines do. That said, you guys are badass.

EDIT: On topic, I just ran 3 miles gently and my ankle seems OK, not too painful at all, more of a light twinge. I'll gradually increase the distance until I'm recovered and then increase intensity and consider using a backpack.

Just be aware you're going to get torn a new one in RT for being that short, the SM will love that! XD

As long as you can swim, there's no worry about drowning - albeit the first time you're thrown into the pool with full combat gear and expected to float is...terrifying at best.

Just go steady with the running - your ankles take a lot of stress ( You'd be surprised how hard your feet hit the ground )

 

[Gordon_4_v1legacy]

Well my first piece of advice is: do NOT run until your ankle is fully healed and you can run normally. It's not worth fucking up a joint just because you're eager to get back into it.

What I can recommend is doing light circuits ( Body-weight exercises ) press ups, sit ups and pull ups for the mean-time. It'll make passing the time easier and you'll feel productive. Trust me, I've done a lot of running. ( Royal Marine here ) I've had shin splints, torn ligaments and all kinds of problems when I was training ( A few years ago now ) and my instructors always said it wasn't worth risking further injury.

If you're REALLY wanting to get back into it and feel like you can run, do short distances; 3 mile runs at most - do them light and slow. ( This'll still help with Cardio )

Ah, I wondered if there'd be any military-types around here. Hopefully heading that way myself (not the Marines, probably the Paras). Thanks for the advice, I have been trying to keep up the weight training in the time spent off, but I probably should have lessened the amount I eat, as I've gained a bit of weight aswell. I have to admit I've also been feeling a lot more pent up since I stopped running, it helped relieve stress for me extremely well.

Ah...you poor misguided fool...off to join the bloody cherry berrets...

Just step up the weights if you're feeling a bit bored/stressed ( When you do exercise your brain lets off endorphin's, basically natures very own 'Heroin' - it's a feel good drug ) it really helps. I found a few heavier sets when I was injured let me go about my days without moping.

As for eating, if you're planning to join The Paras, put on all the weight you can - I was 75Kg when I began RT, came out the other side sitting at 69Kg and that was after I started putting weight back on. I lost a lot of weight. ( Just make sure you put on the 'right' weight )

Anything else you need to know, give me a bell!

You joined the Military at 75kg? Shit man, I'm joining weighing in at 83kg and I feel bloody light.

Depends what you're doing: I'm about 1.8M tall, 130kg and a friend of mine took one look at me and said 'Support Gunner'. So were I fit for my size (which I'm not) he thinks I could do well with a squad assault weapon. After some basic reading, I'm inclined to agree that big lads like my don't go into the SAS, or the Navy Clearance Divers. So your 83kg is probably a nice happy medium that would open lots of different roles and opportunities to you.

I've got what roles I want down. If my country had a Marine section I'd join that. So far it's just Rifleman for me.

You could try the Navy Clearance Divers; as I understand it they're basically Navy SEALS who moonlight in disarming underwater mines.

Clearance Divers in the Royal Australian Army didn't seem like an interesting choice for me. My heart was always set on the Army.

Well the Clearance Divers are in the Navy, obviously. Ah well, God speed to you anyway

 

[Broady Brio]

I'm aware that you can put ankle weights that can improve run speed. That's about all I know.

But then again, this is coming from the guy with;
- Asthma
- Cut Achilles' tendons
- A deformed left hip
So my advice may not be the most sound.

 

[theparsonski]

Well my first piece of advice is: do NOT run until your ankle is fully healed and you can run normally. It's not worth fucking up a joint just because you're eager to get back into it.

What I can recommend is doing light circuits ( Body-weight exercises ) press ups, sit ups and pull ups for the mean-time. It'll make passing the time easier and you'll feel productive. Trust me, I've done a lot of running. ( Royal Marine here ) I've had shin splints, torn ligaments and all kinds of problems when I was training ( A few years ago now ) and my instructors always said it wasn't worth risking further injury.

If you're REALLY wanting to get back into it and feel like you can run, do short distances; 3 mile runs at most - do them light and slow. ( This'll still help with Cardio )

Ah, I wondered if there'd be any military-types around here. Hopefully heading that way myself (not the Marines, probably the Paras). Thanks for the advice, I have been trying to keep up the weight training in the time spent off, but I probably should have lessened the amount I eat, as I've gained a bit of weight aswell. I have to admit I've also been feeling a lot more pent up since I stopped running, it helped relieve stress for me extremely well.

Ah...you poor misguided fool...off to join the bloody cherry berrets...

Just step up the weights if you're feeling a bit bored/stressed ( When you do exercise your brain lets off endorphin's, basically natures very own 'Heroin' - it's a feel good drug ) it really helps. I found a few heavier sets when I was injured let me go about my days without moping.

As for eating, if you're planning to join The Paras, put on all the weight you can - I was 75Kg when I began RT, came out the other side sitting at 69Kg and that was after I started putting weight back on. I lost a lot of weight. ( Just make sure you put on the 'right' weight )

Anything else you need to know, give me a bell!

You joined the Military at 75kg? Shit man, I'm joining weighing in at 83kg and I feel bloody light.

Trust me, I was pretty small when I joined up. ( Not a string of piss, but there where lads there MUCH bigger than me ) Even then, it's not size that matters - a lot of the big guys dropped over the 32 weeks; it really was a battle of will more than anything.

Being 6'2, I do like skinny even though I weigh that much. I've got enough time to bulk up a bit more before training atleast. I take it you gained weight during your period of service?

Yeah, I lost a lot during RT ( Stress and periods of no food/sleep followed by rigorous training over 32 weeks )kinda took their toll on me I think I went down to nearly 65Kg at one point. However, after that I started to bulk up again - currently sitting on 77Kg ( I'm only 5"10 ). As long as you eat well, you'll stack on the weight after training.

Well I'm only 5'5, which means that I'll look pretty muscular if I really put the training in but I may not be that heavy, I'm currently about 57kg, but I'm in the midst of putting weight on, long way to go before I actually join, gotta get into Sandhurst first anyway.

And as for my choice of Service, I did consider the Marines but drowning seems like the very worst way to die in my opinion, and I much prefer the thought of leaping from an aeroplane (though obviously not into combat anymore) to any of the stuff the Marines do. That said, you guys are badass.

EDIT: On topic, I just ran 3 miles gently and my ankle seems OK, not too painful at all, more of a light twinge. I'll gradually increase the distance until I'm recovered and then increase intensity and consider using a backpack.

Just be aware you're going to get torn a new one in RT for being that short, the SM will love that! XD

Solved that! http://www.steroid.com/Buy-Human-Growth-Hormone.php

 

[Dectomax]

Well my first piece of advice is: do NOT run until your ankle is fully healed and you can run normally. It's not worth fucking up a joint just because you're eager to get back into it.

What I can recommend is doing light circuits ( Body-weight exercises ) press ups, sit ups and pull ups for the mean-time. It'll make passing the time easier and you'll feel productive. Trust me, I've done a lot of running. ( Royal Marine here ) I've had shin splints, torn ligaments and all kinds of problems when I was training ( A few years ago now ) and my instructors always said it wasn't worth risking further injury.

If you're REALLY wanting to get back into it and feel like you can run, do short distances; 3 mile runs at most - do them light and slow. ( This'll still help with Cardio )

Ah, I wondered if there'd be any military-types around here. Hopefully heading that way myself (not the Marines, probably the Paras). Thanks for the advice, I have been trying to keep up the weight training in the time spent off, but I probably should have lessened the amount I eat, as I've gained a bit of weight aswell. I have to admit I've also been feeling a lot more pent up since I stopped running, it helped relieve stress for me extremely well.

Ah...you poor misguided fool...off to join the bloody cherry berrets...

Just step up the weights if you're feeling a bit bored/stressed ( When you do exercise your brain lets off endorphin's, basically natures very own 'Heroin' - it's a feel good drug ) it really helps. I found a few heavier sets when I was injured let me go about my days without moping.

As for eating, if you're planning to join The Paras, put on all the weight you can - I was 75Kg when I began RT, came out the other side sitting at 69Kg and that was after I started putting weight back on. I lost a lot of weight. ( Just make sure you put on the 'right' weight )

Anything else you need to know, give me a bell!

You joined the Military at 75kg? Shit man, I'm joining weighing in at 83kg and I feel bloody light.

Depends what you're doing: I'm about 1.8M tall, 130kg and a friend of mine took one look at me and said 'Support Gunner'. So were I fit for my size (which I'm not) he thinks I could do well with a squad assault weapon. After some basic reading, I'm inclined to agree that big lads like my don't go into the SAS, or the Navy Clearance Divers. So your 83kg is probably a nice happy medium that would open lots of different roles and opportunities to you.

I've got what roles I want down. If my country had a Marine section I'd join that. So far it's just Rifleman for me.

You could try the Navy Clearance Divers; as I understand it they're basically Navy SEALS who moonlight in disarming underwater mines.

Clearance Divers in the Royal Australian Army didn't seem like an interesting choice for me. My heart was always set on the Army.

Well the Clearance Divers are in the Navy, obviously. Ah well, God speed to you anyway

I just noticed my error then, shamefur dispray on my part..
Thanks, I'm really looking forward to my basic training (even though I expect it to be pretty brutal.

Well my first piece of advice is: do NOT run until your ankle is fully healed and you can run normally. It's not worth fucking up a joint just because you're eager to get back into it.

What I can recommend is doing light circuits ( Body-weight exercises ) press ups, sit ups and pull ups for the mean-time. It'll make passing the time easier and you'll feel productive. Trust me, I've done a lot of running. ( Royal Marine here ) I've had shin splints, torn ligaments and all kinds of problems when I was training ( A few years ago now ) and my instructors always said it wasn't worth risking further injury.

If you're REALLY wanting to get back into it and feel like you can run, do short distances; 3 mile runs at most - do them light and slow. ( This'll still help with Cardio )

Ah, I wondered if there'd be any military-types around here. Hopefully heading that way myself (not the Marines, probably the Paras). Thanks for the advice, I have been trying to keep up the weight training in the time spent off, but I probably should have lessened the amount I eat, as I've gained a bit of weight aswell. I have to admit I've also been feeling a lot more pent up since I stopped running, it helped relieve stress for me extremely well.

Ah...you poor misguided fool...off to join the bloody cherry berrets...

Just step up the weights if you're feeling a bit bored/stressed ( When you do exercise your brain lets off endorphin's, basically natures very own 'Heroin' - it's a feel good drug ) it really helps. I found a few heavier sets when I was injured let me go about my days without moping.

As for eating, if you're planning to join The Paras, put on all the weight you can - I was 75Kg when I began RT, came out the other side sitting at 69Kg and that was after I started putting weight back on. I lost a lot of weight. ( Just make sure you put on the 'right' weight )

Anything else you need to know, give me a bell!

You joined the Military at 75kg? Shit man, I'm joining weighing in at 83kg and I feel bloody light.

Trust me, I was pretty small when I joined up. ( Not a string of piss, but there where lads there MUCH bigger than me ) Even then, it's not size that matters - a lot of the big guys dropped over the 32 weeks; it really was a battle of will more than anything.

Being 6'2, I do like skinny even though I weigh that much. I've got enough time to bulk up a bit more before training atleast. I take it you gained weight during your period of service?

Yeah, I lost a lot during RT ( Stress and periods of no food/sleep followed by rigorous training over 32 weeks )kinda took their toll on me I think I went down to nearly 65Kg at one point. However, after that I started to bulk up again - currently sitting on 77Kg ( I'm only 5"10 ). As long as you eat well, you'll stack on the weight after training.

Well I'm only 5'5, which means that I'll look pretty muscular if I really put the training in but I may not be that heavy, I'm currently about 57kg, but I'm in the midst of putting weight on, long way to go before I actually join, gotta get into Sandhurst first anyway.

And as for my choice of Service, I did consider the Marines but drowning seems like the very worst way to die in my opinion, and I much prefer the thought of leaping from an aeroplane (though obviously not into combat anymore) to any of the stuff the Marines do. That said, you guys are badass.

EDIT: On topic, I just ran 3 miles gently and my ankle seems OK, not too painful at all, more of a light twinge. I'll gradually increase the distance until I'm recovered and then increase intensity and consider using a backpack.

Just be aware you're going to get torn a new one in RT for being that short, the SM will love that! XD

As long as you can swim, there's no worry about drowning - albeit the first time you're thrown into the pool with full combat gear and expected to float is...terrifying at best.

Just go steady with the running - your ankles take a lot of stress ( You'd be surprised how hard your feet hit the ground )

They do that during my basic training as well.
To prepare I got a 30kg weight vest...should do the trick, right?

Should do - though make sure someone else is around if you attempt that! I was shoved in with a 21Lb set of webbing, plus clothing and helmet ( Weighing about 5Lbs ) Plus the L85A2, which weighs roughly 11Lbs and I was fine. Though I'm a fairly good swimmer. ( Go figure, eh? )

 

[Sexual Harassment Panda]

Hi guys, I'm really into running, have been for a couple of years now, and a few weeks ago I reached the end of a period of regular, hard training, due to having a number of races over a few weeks. I was pretty fit by the end, in all but one sense - I had worn something down in my right ankle and it hurt a lot every time I came back from a run. So here I am, 4 weeks later, and I've not run since then, save a couple of sessions in which I tested out how bad my ankle was (it was still bad).
I'd like to get fit again, my ankle isn't quite perfect but it's a lot better, so I'm trying to work out whether I should change the way I run to try and optimise my fitness gain. I've considered the following:

1. Running with a weighted backpack (about 40lbs or so)
2. High Intensity Interval Training (read about it here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High-intensity_interval_training)
3. Longer, more gentle runs which have less impact on my joints.

So, if any of you guys have ever run, or done any kind of long-term fitness regime, what did you find worked well? What didn't? Post away.

I suggest buying a pair of Vibrams and easing yourself back into running. If you're fucking up your ankles, you might be running wrong... That sounds stupid, but thick-soled running shoes do encourage you to land on your heel, which is shitty for your back as well as you're ankles.

Barefoot shoes are cool in that you have to adjust the way you run to a more natural style, and you find that you are using muscles in your legs that you wouldn't be whilst wearing running shoes, so it's a good idea to do short runs at first. Once you develop those muscles a little, your legs feel a lot stronger in general...might fix your problem.

I realise I sound like a sales douche right now. But I do recommend this. The soles are so thin on these things, that you can feel cracks in the ground through them. You get more feedback from ground and your ankles adjust accordingly, so it diminishes the chances of rolling your ankle too.

Food for thought.

 

[El Dwarfio]

SNIP

Running is really bad on your joints, I've heard the best technique is to get fit by swimming (which not only gives you a more thorough workout, but it is also really good for your joints) and then run once you actually are fit.

 

[Goofguy]

Spinning is a fantastic way to get in shape. It's all about how much effort you put in to it. After a grueling 45 minute session, my shirt is drenched and my quads are shot. It really sucks during but I always feel amazing at the end. If you can, join a class, nothing like an instructor and other participants to push you to your max.

 

[Sougo]

I believe this is the key...

http://intellidick.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/some_motivation_requiredu2sdetail.png

 

[RamirezDoEverything]

1. Running with a weighted backpack You thought your ankles hurt before?
2. High Intensity Interval Training You thought your ankles hurt before?
3. Longer, more gentle runs which have less impact on my joints. You thought your ankles hurt before?

Swim. Swim like a fucking fish. Very easy on your joints, and really gets your cardio going.

I was out last track season due to ankle injuries, pool keeps you close to where you want to be for cross counrty.

 

[Chemical Alia]

Man, I don't even know. I've been working out 3 times a week with a personal trainer since October, and I have yet to lose more than 3-4 pounds, and after taking my body fat percentage yesterday I was dismayed to see that it's still EXACTLY THE SAME. Also still in the revolting category for women my age, urgh.

I guess it's technically a good balance of cardio and weight lifting, with the right diet for what you want to achieve.

 

[Loop Stricken]

... So here I am, 4 weeks later ...

How can you have gotten so unfit in a month?

 

[omega 616]

snip

You want to get back into shape quickly but choose running? Swimming is better, use your arms and legs, aswell as increase your lung capacity 'cos you can't always breath while doing some swimming styles.

Front crawl for example, only breath every other stroke, you are basically running through syrup and flailing round like a boxer sparing ... a lot more of a work out than just moving your legs with no resistance.

or you know, you could a UFC style work out programme ... just look up "George St-Pierre's unique training regimen" on youtube.

 

[Xirath]

Before you start increasing the stress of your workouts again, you should consider contacting or visiting an orthopedist or physical therapist and get their opinion. they will be the ones to give you the safest course to heal the ankle and let you know if there is anything else you can do.