An Cosantóir November 2014 www.dfmagazine.ie
26 |
BY CQMS MICHAEL BARRETT, D COy, 7 INF BN
I have plenty of experience passing the annual fitness tests, having passed
every year since 2008. However, they are still tough enough and so from
early August I prepared myself by evening speed runs near my home
along the Grand Canal with a 5kg backpack.
Thursday 28th arrived and I found myself in the gym in McKee Bks
along with about 25 other personnel from various units.
The first thing to remember is that all you really need with you is your
PT gear, AF717 (fitness form), and a bottle of water!
Initially, everyone undergoes screening, where bodyweight and height
are taken to calculate individuals' body mass index (BMI). Anyone who
passes the screening does a warm-up and continues on to Part 1, the push-
ups and sit-ups tests. I always found push-ups easy enough, but sit-ups are
something I dread. Nevertheless, I managed to pass both with a grade 1.
A
ll RDF personnel have to complete a medical
check and fit-for-life test this year. having
passed my medical in June, I managed to get
myself booked in for the tests in McKee Bks on 28th
and 29th August.
