Get Fit Stay Fit

If you've recently completed a rookie school/firefighter academy you should be in at least some sort of decent physical conditioning. If you're about to start one you better get yourself prepared, it'll only help you in the long run and I just don't mean getting you through an academy.  If you keep up with the LODD then you know what I am talking about.  Heart attacks are a danger that we face in this career.  Either during operations or even back at the station afterwards.  So cardio workouts are very important to keep your heart in shape.  Of course everyone wants to be stronger and that will only make doing our job easier so you need to get some weight training in too.

Let's face it, we put ourselves in some risky situations, the kind that can really get the heart pumping, isn't that part of what makes this job so great.  We also may find ourselves in a situation that you need as much strength as possible to get yourself out of.  Not to mention maybe get someone else out.  The better condition you are in the longer and farther you can go during fireground ops.

So you're asking how? Well the options are out there and you really don't need much. The PT in our academy actually didn't use any equipment, instead used our own body weight, and for some that could be asking a lot.  Not to mention I haven't been to a station yet that didn't have at least some sort of gym or equipment. As for the cardio... RUN!!!  Seriously I wasn't as strong runner and I hated it at first, but after years of doing it I have learned to enjoy it and its kept my resting heart rate under 60bpm.  That's not to say I won't clutch my chest and fall out of my chair this very instant but I feel my odds are at least a little bit improved.

Personally, I've been going through the P90X program and I have nothing but good to say about it. It has it everything that can help with all aspects of the job. It takes a little bit of equipment that I was lucky enough to have most of but even if I didn't it'd be worth going out to get it.  The program switches things up enough to keep from getting boring and I've already seen some decent results, which would probably be even greater if I followed the diet plan.

Equipment and programs aside what it really takes to get in shape is the desire.  If you don't want it, you won't get it.  It's not easy to put aside everything else in life and say, "I'm going to workout and forget everything else."  Yet, that's what you really need to do.  I won't lie and say that I stick to my routine to the T, but if I miss a day I just keep going.

You can't even say there is a lack of good reasons to do it.  #1 Of course is your health, which leads to better performance on the job, you'll be better looking (which your significant other will appreciate.)  If you have kids or want to someday you'll be able to play with them for more than five minutes.  Who knows maybe you'll inspire those you work with to join in.

I think I've beat this dead horse enough.  Just get out there and do it, even if all you have is 20 minutes, that's better than none.