Body type

[Determination]

Hey Im Gazz and I'm visiting the nearest AFCO this saturday, as the time approaches im having thoughts on myself.

Im a rugby player and I play prop. while its been off season I've been powerlifting, this has given me a very heavily set build over the years and I'm wondering if my body type would be unapporpriate to the job as I've hear alot of "dont worry if you cant do so many push/pull/sit ups" but I haven't heard anything to suggest any exceptions to people who can do the wieghty side but are lacking in the fitness part.

Can anyone englighten me on the marines approach to the bigger bloke?

[Stokey_14]

I'm guessing if you can do what’s required then it probably isn't going to matter, from what i have seen there are some huge marines, some small, some average so long as you can hack what the training staff chuck you're way you should be fine.

I'm not huge but I do carry quite a bit of lean mass for my age, currently 196 Lb's in the morning but I keep on top of my conditioning and so long as my size doesn't impair athleticism I’m very happy to be a bit bigger then perhaps is normal.

I guess it's the amount of food I get though, I’ve always eaten healthy but also eaten large proportions but with training it's all put to good use.

Anyways I’ve rambled on, so yes un-less you're stupidly over weight or un-able to complete training I’d say you'll be fine.

Maybe someone else might correct me because I’ve not been through the selection process my self just yet.

All the best

Stokey

[Taxman]

Welcome, GL with your application and training.

I think Stokey has it about covered, tho when I went for my medical the Doc did mention weight/height ratio but I dont know how relevant that is, I'm sure they use common sense even tho they have guidelines.

[Determination]

thanks guys laid my mind at rest a little bit, amazed you understood my question as I rambled on myself.

wieght/hieght ratio might be a bit tricky im just over 16 stone and about 5'10 so my BMI would be pretty high, maybe i should try and concentrate on some lean body mass to get rid of my "quilt" heh heh.

thanks for your time
Gazz

[GGHT]

Arite mate. Having been through Phase One of training myself (I wrapped lol, long story involving a girl) 16 stone at 5'10 is too heavy. Just being honest with you mate you must be built like a tank.

There was a lad in my troop who at a guess must have been 5'10 and 15 but he did struggle a lot with phys (not yomping though).

Your best off delaying your app until you can get down to around 14 minimum mate. No doubt there will be some 17 year old keyboard jockey on here who has just done the PJFT and begs to differ but that's the reason this place is empty these days.

See, you don't do any real yomping (where im guessing you'd excel) for the first 10 weeks or so anyway, up until then its all short intense gym circuits, 1.5 mile best effort runs and rope climbs, all things you'd struggle on at your current dimensions.

[Determination]

Ill target around that sort of wieght then, might be an idea to check with the doctor to see if i physically able to do mid distance running to marine level.
another Idea is to arrange it to all happen next july where i will have finished my current apprenticeship.

thanks for the honesty, its what i want to hear, shame im not too good at running atm...heh thats what training is for

[marinewannabe]

When i joined the marines i was 14st 9lbs at 5ft 9 . I was fine phys wise and suppose it's all down to if you feel you can do the numbers at your weight . I would recommend losing some weight though it will only help when it comes to rope climbing , phys e.t.c.

[GGHT]

No probs mate, you can and will do it, just I think youd find it a LOT easier if you lose a bit of weight first.

Me and you are not in too dissimilar a position actually as I was heavily into PL when I decided I wanted to join. I was over 15stone (27.5 inch thighs!) at 5'8 but I lost a good 3 stone before I did my PRMC.

Last thing you want is to get advice on here from someone who hasn't done PRMC then really struggle on the running aspect. Take it one step at a time with regards to the appliction. eg Don't go worrying about Recruit training just yet.

The PJFT treadmill test is the first "test", you wanna be nailing that in under 9 and half mins. Whats your resting Heartrate if you know.
It wants to be max 60 (mine was under 50 by PRMC time). Give the bleep test a go. All this will give you a decent idea of your current CV level.

When your aware at your starting level then you can advance as you see fit. IMO if your a PL then you will have no worries re upperbody strength which is actually where a lot of recruits struggle.

I like you was never shown how to "run" properley when I was younger and was never particulary sporty so I read a few books and my running transformed. Hope this helps mate!

[Stokey_14]

Last thing you want is to get advice on here from someone who hasn't done PRMC then really struggle on the running aspect. Take it one step at a time with regards to the appliction. eg Don't go worrying about Recruit training just yet.

Don't no weather any of this was with refrance to what i posted but just incase i would like to make it clear that i was in no way trying to make out i'd been there done that, I was meirly thinking about it in a common sence way I.E. if you can do the 3 miler in the required time/body wiehgt exersizes/ bleep test and you're fit then unless you're hugely over weight then i can't see the RM saying no to you.

It was a meir educated guess at best, i like to think some of my post do some good and obviously more than happy to be put right

Just incase don't want to be seen as some 'wanna be know it all'.

All the best folks and good luck with you're application/trianing Determination

Stokey

[druadan]

Weight is not an issue. If you meet the standard you will be accepted. You'll find plenty of running advice on here, but as above 1.5 miles comfortably in sub-10 minutes and 3 miles in 20 mins tops for a good crack. You do get huge Bootnecks, but they can all run a bit too.

You'll lose half of it during training anyhow

[Fintan]

Glad someone brought this up, saves me opening a new thread.

I'm in a similar position, when I was 16-17 I used to do a lot of weights and as I'm a pretty big guy naturally I got pretty heavy! I'm 19 now, planning on starting my application at the start of September but I'm a tad worried about wether I'm going to get instantly binned for being a big guy.

I'm 6ft 1, 17.5 stone at the moment. I'm planning on being 16 stone by the time I start my application, I'm just hoping I'm not going to get rejected for apparently "Looking like a bodybuilder". I haven't lifted weights in over 6 months, run over 20 miles a week, swim, stretch and concentrate solely on bodyweight exercises for my muscular strength and endurance. I'm going to be pissed off if all my effort is for nothing.

[Artist]

When I was instructing at CTCRM I found the blokes who cracked it were mostly average in weight and height. We would look at the intake and take bets on who would wrap first, I always earmarked the Muscle Bosons, and nine times out of ten I got it right.

The blokes built along the lines of a brick shithouse were normally the ones who wrapped in first. Any Eeijut can lift wieghts but they used to have real problems with the running and endurance stuff.

The most important thing you will need whilst undergoing Commando training is that muscle which lives between you ears.......Your Brain.

Artist

[Ty]

True words Artist. I come from a background of body building myself. I use to be light and lean at 140 pounds, then I bulked up weightlifting for the past 4 years to a 190 size. When I decided to start training for the Marines, I found out that as good shape as I was in, my endurance was severely lacking.

Im back down to 165, pretty toned, decent running again. I advise to scrap the weights, concentrate on endurance. Focus on all body weightlifts, such as prison squats, push ups, chin ups, dips, and the such. The body is enough weight by itself to push and achieve great results, and still gain strength, and not hinder your running.

[Fintan]

Oh yes, I've already resigned myself to the fact that I'm going to get ripped to shreds by the instructors for being a muscly guy, despite the fact I haven't lifted weights for such a long time the bodyweight exercises seem to be maintaining my muscle-mass somewhat admirably. Ah well, I'm concentrating on my running more than anything, I see no reason why sheer determination, bloody-mindedness and almost a year of preperation shouldn't see me in good stead, I'm sure some heavy bastard has managed it before and if he can, so can I. It's a hindrance, but one I'm going to have to live with.

Artist, where abouts in Cheshire do you hail from? I'm a Macclesfield lad.

[Artist]

Shavington, between Nantwich and Crewe. we are Posh.....Ish!

Artist