Load carrying training?

[Shaw-13-]

Alright everyone , I'm intending on going into the RE , I have been told they have to carry a lot more than other units , and even if they don't I would still like to train myself for it.

I'm currently able to do about 35-40 proper press ups (not floor shaggers) and about 10/11 pull ups so I would like to think my upper body is ok , but as I'm only light (about 11 stone at 6ft) I'm what some people people may call a lanky streak of p*** / bean pole!

I'm thinking about doing my running, press ups and pull ups with a 25kg bag of sand in a rucksack, and when I'm walking my dog wearing the bag just to get some of those carrying muscles working!

Just want to know what you all think of this idea?
Also if you have any other ways of improving load carrying without going on some stupid machine at a gym?

Thanks a lot
Andy

[tom163]

I think its a bad idea personally. If they want you to carry anything in basic they will work you up to the point you need when you are there. It can make more problems that good. If you still want to do it im sure a different more experienced member in that dep can help you.



Tom

[Tartan_Terrier]

If you want to walk with weight on, then go for it, but give the running with a bergan on a miss for now.

All you'll do is knacker yourself (knees, ankles etc.) before you even start recruit training.

Please remember to capitalise the word 'I' in future, that way I won't have to correct it for you next time.

Regards
T_T

[Shaw-13-]

Alright cheers , apologies for the grammar , I'm too used to being corrected on word when on a computer!

[commandocrazy]

'Im currently able to do about 35-40 proper press ups (not floor shaggers)

What are floor shaggers?

[Shaw-13-]

Ass up in the air , some people do 10 proper ones then the rest shit ones e.g floor shaggers , or not going all the way down etc

[SamForrest]

Rather than start a new thread, what are peoples opinions on walking with weight? (Grass/cross country). I'm running twice a week after coming back from shin splints, and wouldn't mind trying to add in a slow hill walk session that I can build up to a run.

Does the weight counter the fact that you're not running, therefore give you the same, if not more impact intensity?

[Tartan_Terrier]

Rather than start a new thread, what are peoples opinions on walking with weight? (Grass/cross country). I'm running twice a week after coming back from shin splints, and wouldn't mind trying to add in a slow hill walk session that I can build up to a run.

Does the weight counter the fact that you're not running, therefore give you the same, if not more impact intensity?

Sam do me a favour and watch your spelling in future (I've corrected it for you this time).

As I said earlier, walking with a bit (but not excessive amounts) of weight is great training. It'll help build up your leg, back and trunk muscles, and if you're out in the countryside, it will give you a great opportunity to do some map reading too.

What on Earth do you mean by impact intensity?

[SamForrest]

What I mean is that walking is obviously a lot less intense than running (In the sense of your feet impacting the ground, thus doing no good for my almost recovered shins).

But by adding weight to a walk, does this put a great deal more stress on the lower limbs, to the point where there's no difference between walking (with weight) and running (without)?

[Shaw-13-]

I wouldnt of thought it does because your feet are not hitting the ground any harder if you get me?

But I'd just start walking for now if I was you, no point risking damaging your shins again until you are certain they're back to good.

[Sarastro]

The more you move around with weight on, the lighter it becomes, so yes it should help you out later on. Particularly useful is going up hills (proper ones) with weight, because getting hills in your legs is also a matter of making your body used to it. I can quite easily outpace lads who are a lot younger and fitter than me if you strap a bergan on us and stick a mountain in front of us, just because I've done it a bit more. Also, especially if you grew up in an urban area, getting used to just moving around over grassland is useful - much of the training areas you'll use in Wales, Yorkshire etc tend to be in shitty marshland with uneven ground, and it takes some getting used to. Lots of recruits & even soldiers with a few years behind them twist/break ankles from rabbit holes, marsh ground etc on exercise.

But also, working with weight puts more strain on your body, so that's why everyone advises keeping it to lowest impact possible, ie walking. Also, if you do hills, be careful coming down, because even moving at a normal pace you can smash your legs & feet in with weight on the downhill - if you ever do some proper mountains, you'll find that getting down is often a lot less pleasant than going up was - which ain't a barrel of laughs itself.

Bear in mind that you can still give yourself a good workout and prepare for basic by tabbing properly at a CFT-ish pace (14 minutes per mile or less) - ie push the pace, stride your legs out, swing your hips forward with each stride, swing your arms across your body for momentum. You'll find it works muscles that usually don't get much exercise, but keep impact to a minimum. Power up the hills, and take it slower on the way down.

But by adding weight to a walk, does this put a great deal more stress on the lower limbs, to the point where there's no difference between walking (with weight) and running (without)?

Completely different things. Walking with weight probably puts more stress on your body than running without, but less impact stress. Thus your muscles may still be sore & tired, but you are less likely to tear at the tendons or get stress fractures in bone. Same way as you can tire out your muscles more swimming than you do running, but do less damage.