Just spent about an hour going through this thread and found some amusing stuff
![Big grin :D :D](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7)
But, I am definitely glad to see it. Another thread I found interesting before I recently did a course was, "What women should bring to boot-camp". I have some things that I will add to that one. But, back to the gym one...
The PUSH-UPS... my nemesis.... and a lot of others apparantely too. Yes, women aren't 'made' for doing push-ups and that's okay. It just means we have to work harder! But, if it makes you feel any better, men aren't 'made' for doing sit-ups. It's where we can 'catch-up'. I can do sit-ups until the cows come home but some of the men on my course? Had a hard time doing the minimum.
That's okay though -- you just work towards what you can't do and strive to better it.
Anyways, to add to some of the other topics I've seen on here.
Push-ups. I won't add anything here, pretty much everything has been covered. I still hate 'em. But I'll do 'em. >
Sit-ups. Make sure you are doing proper CF sit-ups! This catches a lot of people off-guard. I'll leave it to you to go research that (I don't want to screw up by saying something incorrectly from memory)! Also be prepared to hold the feet of others doing the test. If you can possibly make it so, do your sit-ups BEFORE you have to hold someone's feet. The woman I had to hold the feet of was a 110-lb powerhouse who churned out about 80 sit-ups in 2 minutes. You can't use any part of your body except your hands to hold down their feet and by the time she did her 80 sit-ups, I was breaking out in a sweat more than she was by trying to keep her down. Then I had to do my own sit-ups and my core (being weak, obviously, you don't need to point it out thanks!) was spent. I managed to do the minimum but it was a far cry from my usual 40-50 sit-ups in 2 minutes. I'll keep this part in mind for basic when I go soon. Lesson learned! (...and I intend my core to be in damn-fine shape by then!!)
Beep-test. Really try to get in on one or do one with someone else to get the experience. Make sure it's really 20 metres and download the MP3 from somewhere and do what you can. If you're fortunate enough to be doing it with other experienced people (as I had), follow the pace of someone else WITH experience. The mistake is going too fast at the beginning and burning yourself out before you get to your level you need. Another lesson learned and will take this knowledge to basic with me too! Also, learn how to 'pivot' correctly so you don't twist a knee and to ensure you maximize your time best.
Grip-test. I was very worried about this as I'm a bit of a weakling. However, don't sweat it too much. I passed this easily and if *I* can do it, (almost) anyone can. The advice from the person who suggested the weight on a string with a stick and rolling it? Excellent. I'm going to do this now as part of my preparation training. Next time I hope... wait, nope! Next time
I WILL score higher
Now a question! The 2.4K timed test -- do they do this in basic as part of the express test? or is the beep test its 'equivalent'? I've decided that while doing longer distances is good, my focus the next few weeks will be SPEED and short-term endurance. This will help with the beep test obviously. I will still do the 2.4k timed runs as part of my prep training but will be incorporating fartlek training (speed-play) over the next while. For those that don't know what this training consists of, here is a link:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fartlek
I also remember reading how someone said they can't run fast but can go 'long' meaning, they can cover long-distances (20k) at a walking pace without a problem. I've been practicing the 13k and asked a few (male) friends how women seem to fare on these BFT (battle fitness tests). They said that women are (typically) not as fast -- HOWEVER -- they can go longer (at a more consistent pace) than the men before becoming fatigued. So, the end result (typically, they said, keep in mind I am going based on 2nd hand info here!) is that in the end, it works out that while the men can go faster, the women can go longer -- and that they usually finish around the same time. I'm assuming if you're with a group, you all have to stick together anyways. So, it's a moot point.
Anyways - I hope this reply isn't a total 'joke' to the experts here. I'm a total NEWBIE on this and it's just some personal experiences I've encountered lately through some trial and error on my part!
Oh... and before I go? Ladies? Don't let ANYONE mess with your head and get you down. If they doubt you? Criticize you? Prove them wrong. If you have to work twice as hard? Do it. Use the criticism as FUEL to get you through the next workout with improvements! Use mind-games to get yourself past the 'obstacles and barriers'. Use it to create an advantage!
armychick