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FITNESS TEST EXERCISES

Focus your energy on the right type of training you need to compete ahead of your Pre-Joining Fitness Test (PJFT). Our personal training instructors will show you exactly how to do it.

FITNESS IN THE RAF

Being fit encompasses everything - looking after yourself, being resilient, being robust, staying fit and avoiding injuries.
We look at your aerobic fitness, muscular endurance and mobility. These are all areas you can improve through hard work and training.
Warming up and cooling down are essential. Warming up helps to prevent injury by preparing your body for training and cooling down helps your body return to normal after exercise.
Improving your fitness is a great way to prepare for your life in the RAF.

WARMING UP & MOBILITY EXERCISES

Take 2-3 minutes to warm up with these gentle exercises for the whole body. Your body will be primed ready for training and the mobility exercises will help to look after your joints.

Shoulder rotation
It is vital to warm up your shoulders before exercise. Learn how to safely perform a shoulder rotation.
Trunk rotation
Learn how to safely perform a trunk rotation. This stretch will help prepare your lower back and hips for exercise.
Calf stretch
Learn how to safely complete a calf stretch. This stretch will help prepare your legs for exercise.
Body hug
It is important to loosen your muscles and remove tension before exercise. Learn how to stretch out your back by completing a body hug.
Leg swings
Learn how to safely perform a leg swing. This will help mobilise your legs and warm up your joints before exercise.
Shoulder rotation
It is vital to warm up your shoulders before exercise. Learn how to safely perform a shoulder rotation.
Trunk rotation
Learn how to safely perform a trunk rotation. This stretch will help prepare your lower back and hips for exercise.
Calf stretch
Learn how to safely complete a calf stretch. This stretch will help prepare your legs for exercise.
Body hug
It is important to loosen your muscles and remove tension before exercise. Learn how to stretch out your back by completing a body hug.
Leg swings
Learn how to safely perform a leg swing. This will help mobilise your legs and warm up your joints before exercise.

CARDIOVASCULAR EXERCISE

Aerobic fitness is about how well you get oxygen around your body. If an activity makes you warm and out of breath it’s probably working your aerobic fitness.

 

Activities like cycling, swimming, running and walking are all good examples.

Running

MUSCULAR ENDURANCE EXERCISES

This is about how powerful your muscles are and how well they work against resistance. Press-ups, sit-ups and tricep dips are all good examples.

Sit up
Plank
Press up
Lunge
Squat
Dorsal Raise
Sit up
Plank
Press up
Lunge
Squat
Dorsal Raise

COOL DOWN

Now it’s time to stretch to allow your muscles to recover. Complete each of the exercises below holding each for 30 seconds.

 

This will ensure your body recovers properly and is prepared for any future workouts.

Standing abductor stretch
Standing calf stretch
Standing shoulder stretch
Standing chest stretch
Standing hamstring stretch
Standing quad stretch
Lying Abdominal stretch
Shell stretch
Standing abductor stretch
Standing calf stretch
Standing shoulder stretch
Standing chest stretch
Standing hamstring stretch
Standing quad stretch
Lying Abdominal stretch
Shell stretch

EATING WELL

Nourishing your body well is just as important as training it. A balanced diet will help you stay strong and healthy so you can perform at your best.

 

Food tips

  • Base your plate on starchy foods like potatoes, bread and rice.
  • Eat at least 5 portions of fruit and veg a day.
  • Include protein - meat, fish or lentils are all good sources.
  • Stay hydrated - drink 6-8 glasses of water a day.
  • Be mindful about your alcohol intake - make sure you have a number of alcohol-free days every week.
  • Start the day strong with a healthy breakfast to energise you for the day.
  • Eat at least one portion of oil fish every week.
  • Cut down on saturated fat - fewer sausages, fatty meats and butter.
  • Eat less sugar - less fizzy drinks, cakes and pastries.
  • Check food labels and choose those with a lower salt content.

FITNESS PREPARATION

Look no further, here are the resources you’ll need to get started on your fitness journey and to train for PFJT.
Training advice for all fitness levels
Fitness training plan
Why is fitness important in the RAF?
Get fit for action
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