Starting a Conditioning Program... Advice Needed

bam · Post by **bam** » Sun Aug 22, 2010 1:18 am

Surprised no one has mentioned 5/3/1's 'North of Vag'....

1. Warm-up: foam rolling, static stretching and jumping rope (or something similar).
2. Lift Weights: 5/3/1; keep it basic and strong.
3. Condition: Run hills, push Prowler.

pdellorto · Post by **pdellorto** » Sun Aug 22, 2010 7:48 am

bam wrote:Surprised no one has mentioned 5/3/1's 'North of Vag'....
1. Warm-up: foam rolling, static stretching and jumping rope (or something similar).
2. Lift Weights: 5/3/1; keep it basic and strong.
3. Condition: Run hills, push Prowler.

It's a good approach, but it's a little lacking on the specifics for a case like the OP's. I personally think the North of Vag approach works well for

1) keeping from getting too messed up from lifting heavy
2) lifting heavy to get stronger
3) doing enough hard conditioning to keep from putting on extra fat and/or becoming winded walking up stairs.

But I'd hesitate to call it the best way to work up to a perfect score on a military test.

Post by **stuward** » Sun Aug 22, 2010 9:09 am

Agreed, Peter. Personally I like the that approach better, and it would be better for the general case, but the OP is going into and environment where running and muscular endurance are going to rule.

synergy317 · Post by **synergy317** » Sun Aug 22, 2010 2:18 pm

Yeah, I think I am going to have to focus on specifics with volume and endurance. Thanks though. I still have almost 2 years to make the changes. I hope that is enough time!

Post by **Jungledoc** » Sun Aug 22, 2010 4:25 pm

There's an article that might be of interest here:

http://startingstrength.com/index.php/site/resources

It's part-way down the list, called "Why Does the Army Want Me Weak?"

synergy317 · Post by **synergy317** » Sun Aug 22, 2010 7:58 pm

That article makes a lot of sense. I just wouldnt know how to manage getting near perfect on the test, but not having endurance as my top priority. I think I will make a detailed plan to see what the people more knowledgeable than myself think about it.

Post by **stuward** » Sun Aug 22, 2010 8:16 pm

You have to also consider that the guy who wrote that is a Major and can determine his own workout program. Your going to be in training for the first while and you'll have to do what your told. Even afterwards you'll be doing unit PT. You need to be able to do what your told, not just what you want to do.

Yes, get strong, don't worry about big. that will come anyway but relative strength is what you need. You said you have a couple of years. Take your time with the endurance stuff. Get fit on your terms first, then worry about the endurance later.