Preparing for the Royal Marines

BEn_2600+

BEn_2600+

BEn_2600+

Associate
Joined
9 Jul 2004
Posts
663
Location
Rotherham
Hi, Im looking for a career in the RM, what i need is tips on what would be the best ways to prepare physically? Basically, up until lately (When i decided about it and at least tried to excersise) ive been quite lazy, so then, what are the best ways to increase my fitness and strength? Im a short arse at about 5'6"/5'7" ish and weigh about 57Kg,(Yes, im below the minimum weight requirement so i need to gain weight too) also dunno if its importat but i measured my BodyFat on this kellogs thingy and it showed as 14.4%(not sure if thats right or not)What is the best way to increase my running? Say start off a 1mile and then 1.5mile etc?

Sorry for all the questions

Thanks, Ben
 
Swimming is a good low stress way to improve fitness initially.

How old are you? I only ask because I wonder whether you have stopped growing yet. People I know applying for the Marines used to go running with rucksacks on their backs but I wouldn't start this until you're sure you have stopped growing. As with all exercise, just build it up slowly.
 
I have an old mate who joined the marines and he did quite a lot of weights in the gym and LOADS of running. Just pick a route I guess and run outside increase the distance all the time but remember to rest well. Just remember how ever far you run you got to come back :P
 
radderfire said:
Swimming is a good low stress way to improve fitness initially.

How old are you? I only ask because I wonder whether you have stopped growing yet. People I know applying for the Marines used to go running with rucksacks on their backs but I wouldn't start this until you're sure you have stopped growing. As with all exercise, just build it up slowly.
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Im 17, swimming sounds good although could only go once a week, maybe twice at tops, would i benifit from this?
 
R5Rich said:
I have an old mate who joined the marines and he did quite a lot of weights in the gym and LOADS of running. Just pick a route I guess and run outside increase the distance all the time but remember to rest well. Just remember how ever far you run you got to come back :P
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Started running this week, been doing around 1.5mile to 2.5mile runs feel like ive died at the end though :D:p
 
BEn_2600+, you might find this thread useful:
http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=17811874

Its all about how I am applying to join the Marines also. I am currently in the process of applying for the RMR, and intend to apply to be an officer with a view to my training starting in late 2009. If I am good enough.

How much fitness work have you done in the last few years? Any sports and to what extent?

Talk to your AFCO and seek their advice on setting yourself up a fitness programme. I have been advised by many sources (all military or indeed Marines affiliated) to avoid the gym and stick to circuit training as far as general strength work goes.
 
PlatinumFX said:
BEn_2600+, you might find this thread useful:
http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=17811874

Its all about how I am applying to join the Marines also. I am currently in the process of applying for the RMR, and intend to apply to be an officer with a view to my training starting in late 2009. If I am good enough.

How much fitness work have you done in the last few years? Any sports and to what extent?

Talk to your AFCO and seek their advice on setting yourself up a fitness programme. I have been advised by many sources (all military or indeed Marines affiliated) to avoid the gym and stick to circuit training as far as general strength work goes.
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Im looking to join in 2009 hopefully, would most probally be 2010 tho as i might miss the induction in Sep 2009, as i finish college in June/July. This is a recent decision of mine and previously i havent done any fitness work other than PE at school a bit of football with mates etc, so im not in good shape at the mo.
 
http://www.amazon.com/Royal-Marines...=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1205024657&sr=8-1

I think they look for an overall level of strength and endurance - mainly endurance. They seem to love their circuit training also.

Look at the official RM website. I'm sure they'll have requirements etc for the PRMC. For the PRMC your definitely required to be at a great level of fitness, and be able to perform a set number of certain exercises, obviously the more the better. Like press-ups for example.

There's a small PRMC video here.
http://www.royalmarines.mod.uk/training-and-fitness/get-fit-to-apply.php

Also check this out:
http://www.royalmarines.mod.uk/training-and-fitness/training-tool.php

Also try looking at MilitaryForums.co.uk:
http://www.militaryforums.co.uk/forums/viewtopic.php?t=13488
Check out their boards, they'll have a lot of stuff.

And, as stated above, check out that previous thread, i'm sure it's full of useful stuff.
 
BEn_2600+ said:
Im looking to join in 2009 hopefully, would most probally be 2010 tho as i might miss the induction in Sep 2009, as i finish college in June/July. This is a recent decision of mine and previously i havent done any fitness work other than PE at school a bit of football with mates etc, so im not in good shape at the mo.
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If you start now, you should have plenty of time to get to a high standard for 2010. I am not an expert but others on this forum who get and maintain their fitness for all manner of reasons will probably agree with me when I say take it VERY slow. If your body is not used to being quite so active, you will need to develop yourself slowly to avoid injuries and complications*. Be especially careful of your knees and back.
 
For RMs i'd say you need to concentrate on your upper body and endurance/stamina

Swimming is a good way to build up your general fitness but after that you need to start putting the miles in on the road or even better cross country as this will help with your stamina.

Get a chin up bar too and start banging out those reps as you will need a good upper body for the weight you are expected to carry on the AACC

Circuit training is excellant as well so see if your local leisure centre or gym run circuit training classes? Dont discount joining a local boxing gym either!!
 
Hi Ben, how are you getting on with training/the application process?

As you mention September 2009 I presume you're going for Officer entry? Just want to confirm that's the case. What are your A level grades going to be like? There's been a change to the qualification requirements recently and it's worth considering whether you're up to the standard. Bear in mind that nearly all the applicants are graduates, I was told by a careers advisor that if your grades are even slightly border lining the minimum you can expect to be ripped apart by the Admiralty Interview Board. I'm not trying to scare you/get you down, I'm just repeating what I've been told.

As for training advice, the training tool is very helpful although most of it is common sense/knowledge it's nice to have it in a structured form. What's helped me most is simply banging out a few press ups every now and again - for instance every time I go down or up the stairs or to the bathroom I'll do a set. I started out being really pathetically weak at press ups, now I am far better. The initial rate of improvement will be huge, just make sure you're eating correctly and increasing the work load with your progress and you should keep improving at that rate.

Last bit of advice, make sure you are doing the exercises exactly how how instructed by the training tool. Press ups with the elbows tucked in target different muscles to other types, so make sure you have trained using the correct technique or you'll be wasting your time. Moreover, if your technique is a barrel of **** at Lympstone they'll deduct from your score quite severely.
 
Well the best tip I would say is get prepared mentally. This is the most important part of the training. They will beat you to a pulp mentally and you have to be prepared for that, you're in effect a machine not a person.

Also make sure you have good flexibilty and stretch (lots). You WILL get injured on the course, the more flexible you are the easier it will be to get through the knocks or avoid getting injured altogether.

Physical part is important. but without the mental strength you wont pass.

You will also get bugger all sleep for 24 weeks, you might be best trying to adjust to this before you go.

RM is the hardest training in the army. Thats why a RM get so much repect from all ranks and has the highest proportion going into the SAS. Going into it thinking its going to be reasonably easy you're in for a very big surprise.
 
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Edinho said:
RM is the hardest training in the army. Thats why a RM get so much repect from all ranks and has the highest proportion going into the SAS. Going into it thinking its going to be reasonably easy you're in for a very big surprise.
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Wouldn't it be the SBS?
 
Zefan said:
Hi Ben, how are you getting on with training/the application process?

As you mention September 2009 I presume you're going for Officer entry? Just want to confirm that's the case. What are your A level grades going to be like? There's been a change to the qualification requirements recently and it's worth considering whether you're up to the standard. Bear in mind that nearly all the applicants are graduates, I was told by a careers advisor that if your grades are even slightly border lining the minimum you can expect to be ripped apart by the Admiralty Interview Board. I'm not trying to scare you/get you down, I'm just repeating what I've been told.

As for training advice, the training tool is very helpful although most of it is common sense/knowledge it's nice to have it in a structured form. What's helped me most is simply banging out a few press ups every now and again - for instance every time I go down or up the stairs or to the bathroom I'll do a set. I started out being really pathetically weak at press ups, now I am far better. The initial rate of improvement will be huge, just make sure you're eating correctly and increasing the work load with your progress and you should keep improving at that rate.

Last bit of advice, make sure you are doing the exercises exactly how how instructed by the training tool. Press ups with the elbows tucked in target different muscles to other types, so make sure you have trained using the correct technique or you'll be wasting your time. Moreover, if your technique is a barrel of **** at Lympstone they'll deduct from your score quite severely.
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Decided to go in as a normal recruit was origionally planning the officer route but I dont feel upto it, spoke with my dads mate who is a Royal Marine and he agrees with me on this. Still going to finish my A levels tho as he said i can apply for commission once ive passed out as a normal Marine, if i then decide that being an officer is for me. So it will be around Sep 2009 ish after ive finished college etc.

I have been doing exactly as you said with press-ups lol, whenever i felt like it i would just knock a set out, went from strugling to do more than 10 to struggling when i get to 40 now, nice improvement me thinks. Although i think my technique isnt the best(Will have a gander at those vids on the website) Also got meself a chin-up bar and some weights to hopefully get my upper-body strength upto scratch.

Thanks for the advise Zefan its appreciated ;)

PS: You still thinking of joining?

Ben
 
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BEn_2600+ said:
You still thinking of joining?
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Yup, just sorting some medical stuff out before I start the ball rolling. I aim to be in training before Christmas, that should give me long enough to fully prepare.

Good call on sacking the Officer application. I was going to, I'm sure I've got the required nonce to get through it however I simply haven't got any evidence to back it up due to my poor grades at A level. That's something I've realised I have to live with and although a little disappointing, I feel it gives me more direction and also of course allows me to apply sooner.

I was going to say check out PRMC.co.uk (a forum dedicated to advice on joining/the application process) however site has recently just gone boom :( I'm not sure if it'll be back up again soon, it's a great resource so keep checking to see if it's back up.


Good luck with the training.
 
Good staminia training :

Find a small hill with quite abit of steapness to it and runn to the top and back down again.
Keep doing it untill your fully nackered.
Then run it again without stoping for a break =)
 
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