The United States Marine Corps is the most fatal fighting force on the planet, a title it can easily lay claim to thanks to the immensely arduous physical and mental training that each marine undergoes before becoming a fully-fledged member of the Corps. Given that the marines are regularly held up not only as a paradigm of national service but also of physical excellence, many people who are trying to get into shape what to learn how to workout like a US marine. Unfortunately, that’s much easier said than done, though it’s still possible if you have the grit and determination needed to endure a tough but strengthening process.
Here’s an exploration of the physical fitness expectations and dietary habits of the United States Marine Corps, and how you can try to workout like a US Marine.
Go straight to the source
How can you learn the workout routine and dietary habits of the United States Marine Corps? Rather than relying on second-hand information, it’s best to go straight to the source to see what the US Marines themselves have to say about this. According to the Corp’s official website, for instance, there are intense physical fitness requirements which you’ll need to meet if you want to join this honored cadre of warfighters. There are three specific events which the website notes you’ll have to undergo; a pull-up or push-up test, crunches, and a three-mile run; none of which require physical therapists to prepare for.
So, you want to workout like a United States Marine? You’d be well-advised to invest in a good pull-up bar, not to mention a training pad, yoga pad, or similar workout pad to rest upon when doing crunches and other core-workouts. You’ll also want a good pair of running shoes and may want to brush up on target heart rates to pursue when undergoing cardiovascular exercises of any form. None of this will produce results unless you also enjoy a robust and healthy diet, however, as United States Marines are well-fed and do their best to maintain good nutritional standards in order to meet the harsh requirements of their role.
In many cases, nutrition is just as important as your actual workout itself, as it’s impossible to seriously develop muscle mass or improve your overall health if you’re deprived of important nutrients you need to grow. Calcium-rich foods, protein shakes, multivitamins and other consumable goods can help you, but at the end of the day you’ll need a consistent diet that doesn’t include too many unhealthy food groups if you want to become nearly as physically fit as the average US Marine. Take some time to familiarize yourself with the basic diet for Marines, as only then will you be able to achieve your workout goals.
The training you’ll undergo
The training you’ll undergo to become a United States Marine will be extraordinarily intense. To get the same workout routine of the United States Marine, you’ll have to endure much more acceptable and tolerable conditions, but don’t think that means it will be easy. In the actual Corps, you’ll be deprived of easy access to your friends, families, and the luxurie which you’ve become accustomed to. In this training regime, however, you’ll still have access to the lovely things you’re familiar with, which means it will be easier for you to cheat on your workout regime and diet plan than it would be for a Marine to violate the Corps’ strict standards.
Marines don’t simply become excellent at running and lifting weights, after all, but also become excellent at doing those things while taking simulated enemy fire or enduring immensely difficult weather conditions. You thus may want to consider working out during inclement weather which would otherwise ensure you remain indoors, if only to try and replicate the true “Marine experience” they undergo during actual training periods where they don’t have the luxury we do of skipping leg day because of rainy weather.
The next step is to familiarize yourself with a training guide that will walk you through actual exercises that US Marines themselves become masters of. While the Corps’ fitness standards are subject to constant changes depending upon the needs of the military, there are general techniques which remain commonplace across time and space. Doing pull-ups and practicing excellent cardiovascular health, for instance, are incredibly common elements of Marine Corps training which won’t be going anywhere anytime soon.
What mistakes to avoid
There are some relatively straightforward mistakes that you may already be aware of, but other mistakes can be harder to spot before making them. When it comes to becoming as healthy and fit as a US Marine, for instance, you should know that you have little chance of success if you’re regularly consuming recreational drugs. Even excessively quaffing caffeine and tobacco can have a tremendously negative impact on your short-term and long-term wellbeing, so be sure that you’re not succumbing to certain vices which can spoil your hard-earned progress.
You should also know that Marines never go it alone – it’s thus worthwhile to workout with other people if you want to enjoy sustainable success. Follow in the Corps’ footsteps and work hard in tandem with your colleagues instead of in competition with them, and you’ll see better workout results in no time. What’s more, you’ll probably have a far more enjoyable workout routine that you have a better chance of sticking to if there are other people there to motivate you along the way.
The United States Marine Corp is composed of “the few” and “the proud,” as they’re fond of saying. It will be incredibly difficult to pass their fitness test and meet their other qualifications for service. In the meantime, however, you can try your best to replicate the training program and diet of a real United States Marine in hopes of replicating their immense physical excellence. By ditching your bad habits, embracing a healthy lifestyle, and working in close coordination with your similarly-minded companions, you’ll soon be hitting new fitness goals.
