1.5mile treadmill test

[Jon]

This has popped up several times, but I do not know the full facts yet. Does everyone do it, when, why and where?

(Dont tell me to use the search button because the info that I need doesnt exist)

[westy1984]

Hello mate

Does everyone do it?
Yes anyone wishing to gain a placement on an upcoming PRMC (or the 8 weeks RN Ratings training) would have to pass this in order to progress further, hence the pre-joining fitness test.

When?
After you've passed the medical they'll then send you a letter all about it, you'll need to ring one of the gyms listed to confirm a time/date to do it. This should be within 28 days of recieving the letter.

Why?
Because if you cant do 1.5 miles in under 10mins 45secs on a treadmill in a fancy gym you havent got a chance in hell of passing the PRMC let alone becoming a RM. Gives them more chance of a higher pass rate if they dont let people who are shockingly unprepared down to do it basically.

Where?
The AFCO should give you a list of a few gyms near you, LA Fitness probably, as its a nationwide company and theyve struck a deal with the RN/RM.

So all you do is turn up to an LA Fitness centre, fill in a form, get your height and weight taken...do a few minutes stretching....cycle on a bike at a grannies speed for a few minutes then hop on the treadmill and do 1.5m/2.4km.

I think Level 14/14.5 is the slowest speed you can run on to expect a pass. The instructor from the gym will be there to tell you what you need to do and how far you have left to run and if your on target to pass.

The times for the RN are as follows:-

Male
Age PJFT
15 - 24 12 min 20 secs
25 - 29 12 min 48 secs
30 - 34 13 min 18 secs
35 - 39 13 min 49 secs

Female
Age PJFT
15 - 24 14 min 35 secs
25 - 29 15 min 13 secs
30 - 34 15 min 55 secs
35 - 39 16 min 40 secs

Hope that answers all your questions

[Rugee]

Just a suggestion. I can see this question being a very popular one in the future, would it not be a good idea to turn this into a sticky?

[voodoo sprout]

One correction: the PJFT is done by everyone wishing to join the Royal Navy, I presume therefore that it is because the Royal Marines are part of the Royal Navy that it's also done before the PRMC.

[westy1984]

Phew there we are 'corrected', no pleasing some people.

[Jon]

Thanks for the info.

Now I can live in the knowledge that I have something else to overcome. I havent ran on a treadmill often therefore ill have to start doing it.

[The JaCkAl]

I know what you mean....it's alot different from running on land, yet another thing to practise and incorperate into my fitness regime. Will it ever end?

[Mr Mojo Risin]

Treadmills are crap. Ive just cancelled my gym membership cos its too easy. Plus i find that gyms are full of steroid pumped assholes quite content to sit on the machines that you need to use, stare at themselves in the mirrors until you get cold again. Really annoying.

Ive just got out a map, measured a route that is 1.5 and 2.5 miles long, which incorporates some hill work into it, so i run one way, and back, makgin 3 and five mile runs. Treadmills are alot easier than running outside too - no hills or natural resitance like wind etc etc. Just my opinion

[lew]

Its strange isn’t it, every time I run on a treadmill my times are crap But when I run on the roads etc there half decent...

In short there is more chance you’ll take it easy and look at the pretty women that are around in the gym, rather than push yourself...


lew

[The JaCkAl]

The thing with the treadmills at the gym is they only go to 16km/p which is pretty slow, I can run for around 20 minutes at that speed. I work it out that:

16kmp / 1.609 = 9.944064 (Which finds out how many miles per hour your doing)

so

9.944064 / 60 = 0.1657 (which is how many miles per minute)

so

0.1657 * 10.20 = 1.690 (Which is how many miles in 10.20 minutes you can do at that speed)

So in short guys you have to run at 16km/p to get 1.69 miles in 10.20 minutes. Which is a pretty quick pace lads so start practising.

[Jon]

Ive said it before and ill say it again, treadmills are shit.

They take the effort away
You cant pace yourself on them
They have a big red button that stops them
Its possible to fall off them (learned the hard way)
Less determination is required
Unlike a run, you know that if you stop you wont have to walk further back (making it more likely that you will stop)
You get bored looking in the mirror
You get even hotter and sweatier
People stare at you making it harder to concentrate
People complain if you take to long
You have to wait for your turn
You always get someone next to you who is superfit. When you start, they have already covered miles, and when you finish they carry on for another hour, at a faster pace (a demoralising sight)
They are not accurate at measuring distance
If you hit the stop button you fly of them
If your mates a dickhead, he will hit the stop button on you

[The JaCkAl]

Jon alot of the reasons you have come up with there are actually to do with the quality of gym you go to and your fitness levels. But I do 'kind of' agree about treadmills not being as good as really running. But they are a good CV work out, like anything that works you (rowing machines etc). I can run on land as fast and long as running on a tread mill it doesn't bother me, as they both work your VO5 levels and are part of my training. Dure in your 30 weeks training you'll do alot of gym work which will involve treadmills, rowing machines, resistance weights etc. Apparently the only difference with them is they don't increase bone density as much as running on ground but increase your muscle mass more so. I'm guessing by your vindictive reply to treadmills you can't run very far on them? Just a guess

[simonm]

at least you can be completely prepared for this test though it's when you get to PRMC that it get's hard cos lets face it to be able to run one and a half miles you need to get on a running machine again and again until you can run two 6.5 min miles then you've got it cracked, how do you prepare for the mental and physical beasting you get on PRMC before you even get to your run.

[The JaCkAl]

Beast yourself, or get a mate with a wip to beast you and every time you fail in something he'll slash you across the back of the legs. A bit harsh but it'll prepare your mind and fitness.

Or you could fit one of those dog training collars round your neck and when you fail he could give you a little sharp electric shock, and in no time what so ever you would associate failing with a shock and you'd be able to hammer out press ups till you pass out. (revolutionary stuff hey? )

[joe]

I have been in a gym before when there was a power cut - you can imagine the scene on the treadmills ... ! Luckily I was on the rower at the time