How hard did you have to work initially?

[McNamee]

Before you decided you wanted to join the paras, what were you fitness and strength levels? A year or so ago, I was seriously unfit, and had little muscle.
I'm just curious, because I know that if I hadn't have wanted to join the paras I wouldn't have put in all the training I have, i'd be a fat lazy bastard with no job playing playstation all day long.

[skygod75]

Well I had a six month build up period before I applied for 4 Para. I was about 20, had a slight build and would say I was naturally better at running than upper body strength. once I was in and saw the levels of the other recruits from the companies around the country I raised my game plan and pushed it harder. once I passed I focused more on upper body strength so put on more size. I was 29 when I went into the RAF Regt and in comparison to the younger lads my running was slower but given time and my willingness to push harder I caught them up but I always had better upper body and it showed when it came to the loaded march's. I think if I never went into 4Para Id never have caught the training bug and would have stayed a lat.

[Jobag]

I took it one step at a time. So prep for RSC for me was running BFT's and doing pullups, because thats what i was being tested on. Having said that, i did make a good training programme and stuck to it, which helped alot. But, if you get in, the paras will get you fit, weather you like it or not.

Just think though, the fitter you are before you join, the better.