Typical Strategies Given During Recent USNA Summer Seminar Event (2nd session)
The loss of the sounds system caused a different style of workout that was more doing than coaching. Usually I am able to give the following pieces of advice when it comes to preparing to get TO and THROUGH any type of future training program you seek to endure. First you have to get accepted INTO the Service Academy (in this case, the US Naval Academy) by crushing your grades, tests, medical qualifications, sports, leadership positions, and the fitness test called the Candidate Fitness Assessment (CFA). It consists of the following:
Basketball Throw (from knees)
Pullups max
120ft Shuttle Run (4 x 30ft)
Crunches 2 minutes
Pushups 2 minutes
1 mile timed run
During the Summer Seminar Workout, we do several different workout segments that can help you create a program to improve the above fitness scores as well as the fitness test you have to take each semester while at the Academy (cadence pushups, plank pose, 1.5 mile timed run).
The Workout We Did At USNA Summer Seminar
This is a NO equipment needed workout. Typically, we do this workout on a big field with all your fellow classmates and resembles group workouts you will see in Plebe Summer.
Warmup: * cadence pushups now the test, Plank pose, BUT situps still part of the CFA as well as all the Spec ops Level PSTs so - you have to practice them as well. We will do both today. Simulate running with JJ, lunges, (treadmill, bike, etc)…
- 10 pushups, 10 squats, 10 lunges/leg, run 200m
- 20 pushups, 20 squats, 10 lunges/leg, run 300m
- 30 pushups, 30 squats, 10 lunges/leg, run 400m
- Light stretch throughout each set.
Death by Pushups with 5-10 Pushups EMOM
If you have tried the “Death by Pushups” workout, you will see it is more mental that physical. Death by Pushups is a 10-minute plank pose, but every minute on the minute you do 5-10 pushups. You can either rest in the plank position, UP pushup position, or do a side plank and shake out the arms if needed. You must go to your happy place when attempting this time altering workout challenge.
During the 10 min Plank, I usually discuss a few things to help pass the time:
Pacing During the Fitness Test (SItups and Running Especially) - Train for the pace to help crush fitness test events that require it to max out.
Making the Transition to Running After High Rep Calisthenics Testing - Is your run always worse after pullups, pushups, and situps? Here is why...
Exceeding the Standards is the Standard - NO minimum standards. - No brainer! In the tactical professions (military, police, fire fighter) higher standards of fitness and tactical skills save lifes (and your own).
Changes in military pt test exercises (situps / plank)
The Wide Variety of Fitness Test You May Take in the Near Future at a Service Academy
At the Naval Academy you will be exposed to a variety of fitness tests depending on what you select to be your Navy career choice after graduation. There range from the following options:
Candidate Fitness Assessment - CFA - to get accepted into the Academy (USNA, USMA, USMMA, and USAFA) - explained above
USNA PFT - Each Semester PFT: Cadence Pushups, Plank pose, and 1.5 mile timed run. Plus swim tests, boxing, wrestling, judo, and more as part of PE classes each semester.
SEAL / EOD Career Test: 500yd swim, pushups, situps, pullups, 1.5 mile run
USMC PFT and CFT: Pullups, Plank, 3 mile timed run and the CFT is the following events:
- Run 880 yards (two laps around a track), simulating movement to contact in battle dress uniform, fast.
- Lift a 30-pound ammunitions can overhead from shoulder height for max reps for two minutes.
- Perform a maneuver-under-fire simulated event, a timed 300-yard shuttle run in which Marines are paired up by size and perform the following tasks: sprints, agility course, high crawl, low crawl, body drag, fireman carry, ammo can carry, push-ups and grenade throw.
The RECON Fitness Test - Midshipmen have an opportunity to attend the RECON Screener and Selection Course during summer training. This is a tough test that is done at the Academy for those seeking advanced level training during the summers:
- Swim: 500 meters in cammies top/bottoms using the Combat Side Stroke (CSS), elementary sidestroke or breaststroke.
- Rifle retrieval: Recover rifle from the bottom of the pool's deep end, followed by a 25-meter swim tow.
- Underwater swim: 25 meters with cammies
- Tread: 30 minutes in cammies
- USMC PFT plus push-ups: pull-ups, push-ups, crunches/plank, three-mile timed run
- USMC obstacle course: Run it twice for time.
Army Airborne / Air Assault School Billets - Some summer's the Mids are able to attend the above Army schools and will have to pass the corresponding Army Fitness Test and attend a USNA screener weekend to prove your abilities as these billets are competitive.
Why Death By Pushups You Ask?
Cadence pushups - New fitness test event at the Naval Academy at a rate of 2 pushups per second. Practice that pace every OTHER day.
Plank pose - max is 4:20. Shoot for that goal and with workouts like the 10 minute Death by Pushups workouts, you can practice both at the same time.
FInal Words - I failed my first fitness test as a Plebe. (Read entire story). Take your fitness seriously and figure out ways to improve any weaknesses before hand. Once you get accepted, start trying to understand the level of increased performance that is required to make it THROUGH the training.
Use these next few months to crush the CFA and re-submit your scores if you feel can do better. Work hard in your SPORTS, Leadership activities, grades, and test taking skills.
Once you get accepted, start training for Plebe Summer (running, calisthenics, learning about USN / USMC, ranks etc) and focus on the plank, pushups, and 1.5 mile run
We continued with a few more sets of exercises
Repeat 3 times
30s jumping jacks / rope (run up/down stairs)
Situps 1 minute / stomach stretch
Flutterkicks 25
Note on Situps - PACE YOUR SITUPS. We did these at 20 situps every 30 seconds or 40/minute pace. This will give you 80 in 2 minutes if you work to practice this pace and get in shape to maintain it for 2 minutes. You may find just by pacing yourself in the first 30 seconds, you can maintain this pace for 2 minutes already. I have seen countless people fail the test on a Monday and pass it again the next day by simply starting out slower. Not just barely passing either - I am talking about going form 60 reps to 80 reps in 2 days. It is a pacing technique of training vs. a focus of speed out the gate in a two minute test.
Since we have over 800 people doing this workout, we cannot do pullups, but it is necessary to practice pullups as they will help you do other events in future PT tests (USMC, Navy SEAL / EOD, etc) but also the obstacle course event done many times at the Naval Academy.
Additional Exercises for CFA Preparation:
See My Three Favorite Workouts to Crush PT Tests (Pullups, pushups, situps, and timed runs)
Repeat 3 times
Pullups max
Shuttle run 120ft (4 x 30 ft) sprints
BBall throws 2-3 times
Basketball Throw – Practice this event for only a few throws a day. You can use the event after a post-warmup or post-workout event, but you want to be adquately warmed up and ready to throw before you put 100% effort into this throw. Practice a few throws each day as 50-60% technique focus an aim for that 45 degree angle throw each time.
Running – 1 mile run – master your goal pace ( 4 x 400m runs learn your pace)
There are many running workouts you can do from goal pace intervals like the 4 x 400m above as well as 800m and 1 mile run sets to get into running shape. It is fine to mix in non-impact cardio if shins get tender during your running progression.
And More Advanced Running Plan to Build up to and Maintain for a cycle in order to focus on speed.
Finally - Good luck senior year…I hope to see you here next year.
The Service Academy Workout - Military Officer Fitness - Candidate Fitness Assessment Training Program - Crush the CFA!
FREE - Check out the new CFA Calculator to see if you are scoring in the competitive range!
Do you want to get selected into military officer programs like the United States Service Academies and serve your country as a military officer?
Have you experienced failure to receive the results you need to be competitive?
Failing to train specifically for this test can make you apprehensive about even applying, but what if I told you all it takes is a few months of training and you can be competitive which can be helpful in getting accepted into a Service Academy?
If you've ever wondered "Can getting better at the CFA help my application?" The answer is yes. The Service Academy Workout – Military Officer Fitness Candidate Fitness Assessment Workout book or ebook created by Naval Academy Graduate Stew Smith - Former Navy SEAL - has the answers every service academy candidate needs to know about training as well as harder programs for Special Ops candidates and Marines. Click Here Now for more:
Once The CFA Is Completed...
I hope you get accepted! Once you do, the program requirements are still similar but with some differences as discussed above:
Here's the answer for solving this issue with Crushing the PT Test once and for all. If you really want to serve your country and community, this the PFT Bible book or ebook as it is updated with the latest PT test changes (planks) lays it all out for you!
Get on a plan -Get Started Today and Let Fitness be the Catalyst That Drives the Rest of Your Life!
What many people do to start out is the Calisthenics and Cardio program to build a foundation of fitness with muscle stamina and endurance, then the next phase can add some weights if you prefer.
But one of my latest creations is called the Calisthenics and Cardio - No Equipment Needed Guide For Body Weight Exercisers and maybe a good option for people of all fitness levels to stay home or get outside and train.
Who Is The Tactical Fitness Coach / Author Stew Smith?
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I'm the former Navy SEAL that military recruits and special ops candidates go to for books, ebooks and online coaching to prepare themselves to get to and through intense tactical assessment and selection programs and qualify for service in their chosen tactical profession. See More at StewSmithFitness.com |
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DO NOT RELY ON THE MILITARY TO GET YOU INTO SHAPE AT BASIC TRAINING. You will get into better shape for sure during your training if you arrive in lower fitness form, but you need to arrive with a foundation of physical fitness that is specific to your future job in the military / fitness tests / training. If you show up out of shape, you could end up failing standards or injuring yourself causing longer delays or removal from training altogether.
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Navy SEAL Workout Phase 2 - 3 - Intermediate Weeks 1-12
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