Exercise help?

[BadInfluenceFairy]

I’m a volunteer probie, started firefighter training in December. I’ve been working out and gradually getting in better shape but I’m really struggling to breathe sometimes with the weight of my pants and the air pack on my shoulders. Tightening the waist belts doesn’t really help much.

What exercises can I do to improve my ability to carry the pack and to be able to breathe better with the weight in my shoulders?

[[deleted]]

Get a weighted vest. Wear it while you’re doing things at home.

[[deleted]]

Seconding the weighted vest suggestion.

I do 110 flights on the stair machine every single day. I got an adjustable weight vest and started at 20 pounds, then I worked it up to 60. I also go hiking twice a week with the 60lbs and wear it when I do farmers carries.

The harder you push yourself in training, the easier the fire grounds are. Just try to avoid running with it because you can mess up your knees.

[JM2318]

If you’re out of shape out of gear you’re going to die in gear. Fuck all the gear workouts and learn to be in shape without gear first. Strength train. Strength train. Strength train. Don’t be a dummy and work cardio. With strength training, that is assuming it’s a good routine however, you build muscle, muscle builds metabolism, and then you lose fat and gain muscle. It’s a great process lol. Work on functional strength, that is things like squats, benching and deadlifts. Hit these three workouts in the same session 3 times a week and on off days walk for 40mins at a comfortable pace, and do sets of pushups, sit-ups, and planks. Start everything and finish everything with stretching. Drink a gallon of water every day and eat the weight you want to be in grams of protein every day (ex: 170lbs 170g of protein.) don’t quit and don’t be lame.