Navy fitness test, push ups, curiosity!

[Sim]

Hi all. I'm applying to the Navy but i'm surprised and disappointed that i can't do the 1.5 miles in 13 minutes like i always thought i could do with ease. I used to be much fitter, not so now when i need to be the most. Of course, the way around this is to train often to build up fitness. But i'd like to know how others got on with it, being fit, being unfit and being something in between and being succesful. Is it easier to do the prelim. test on a treadmill, or to do the new recruit test on a circuit? I'm running on a treadmill, maybe seeing the time and distance puts me off

Also, do girls have to do push ups from the knees? Just asking, because it seems that it's expected, but i've never done them like that. I'm not too strong, but doing 20 push ups in 2 minutes is ridiculously easy- in my Muay Thai club, you have to do 30 just to get a sip of water in the minute break! So i'm just asking if there's any medical reason that a woman shouldn't do push ups the usual way.

Thanks!

[Sticky Blue]

Women should do them on their knees as if they don't they can hurt their lady bits inside.

[Sim]

How so? If done properly, there should be no more resistance in the abdominal muscles. I know a lot of women simply aren't strong enough in the shoulders, but that's a case of building it up.

I guess i was just asking because, though not very fit and will do badly at some aspects of the test, i don't want to cheat myself by doing push ups that neither test me or prove my ability.

But then, doing as you're told is part of being in the military

[JoJo82]

Sim, it is not put in place to be easier. There are health risks attached to it and thats why women will be doing push ups on their knees.

If you wish to do them the normal way, I don't see a problem with the PTI's letting you, however, what would be more easy after tonnes of sit ups, burpes etc??

[Sim]

I know what you're saying, but i'm not entering the Navy so i can do things the easy way, that's laziness. I'm doing it because it's all going to be very difficult but i have the potential to do it. If they won't let me, that's fine, but i want to do things to the best of my ability. I'll see how it goes anyway! Might even ask the gynaecologist when i next see him. I've been having a good old look on the net and all places say that if you can do proper push ups then do. But i'll ask him anyway.
Thanks!

[OMSSMretd]

Sim during my time in the Navy I always did things the easy way, not lazy ship wreck just common dog . Thats what made me good at my job.

[Sim]

I guess so! I'd feel a bit of a cheat, but i need to remember there's no room for question anyway. Thanks for your answers!

[Winnie]

I wouldnt worry about it, if i remember correctly a lot of staff in Raleigh dont like females doing press-ups on their knees anyway... They'll ask if you believe in equal opportunities, you say yes, they say well 10 press ups, no knees
20 is the minimum anyway, you go to 44 i think.. so its not cheating yourself if thats how your told to do it, and thats the requirement.

As for the 1.5 mile run.. you'll see when you get there, first run in week 1 or 2 whenever it is, is just to see your fitness level, next one in later weeks is the one you need to pass.. and you'll see yourself everyone shaves like a minute off their original time.

[JoJo82]

Equal ops my arse! We ended up doing the male version of push ups during our CPO's beasting. It was a killer, the woman's body is built different to a guys, so unless your uber woman, it ain't gonna bother you. Also the PTI's have to take into account hte Health and safety aspect, therefore there are certain things a lady will have to do different from a guy.

I hear what your saying but the attitude you are taking towards this, don't air it in basic. People don't take kindly to gobby ratings full stop, not saying you are but they do like to jump to conclusions quickly. And a label is hard to shake off.