Heroes of Tomorrow Fitness Center

 

 PFT Anxiety - Channel the Nervous Energy Prior to Physical Fitness Tests

Anxiety is prevalent in our world. It occurs at home, work, social situations, playing sports, and test-taking. Academic testing anxiety is very similar to physical test-taking anxiety. I know before taking a chemistry test at the Naval Academy, I felt the same when I took the Navy SEAL PFT. Those symptoms were: headaches, nausea, feeling too hot or too cold, etc. The adrenaline flows through your body prior to any of these events and can adversely affect your performance.

In regards to the physical fitness test, the ways to combat anxiety are similar to those of academic testing-taking anxiety. The PFT anxiety-removing techniques are as follows:

Be well prepared for the test. Do not start "studying" (exercising) for the PFT a week or two before the test. Fitness is a daily habit that needs to be developed 4-6 times a week. (See article archive for ideas)
 

  1. Test yourself. Take the PFT once a week. It is the stopwatch that causes most of your anxiety, so train with the stopwatch when doing pushups, situps, running etc...

     
  2. Maintain healthy lifestyle. Eat more fruits and vegetables than fast foods, sleep regular hours, drink more water, and exercise 4-6 times per week.

     
  3. PFT taking meals. On the evening prior to the PFT, drink water, eat more fruits and vegetables as in salad, and lean forms of protein like fish and chicken. Pasta is a pre-race favorite among runners and swimmers also. On the morning of the test, eat fruits like apples, bananas, or baby carrots - all high on the glycemic index and provide blood sugar for immediate energy. (See Food Pyramid Article)
     
  4. Test the way you train. Do not do something for the first time on test taking day like eat a protein bar or energy drink. Find out what works for you during your practice tests.

     
  5. Relax. Take deep breaths before the stop watch starts and think positively.

     
  6. Treat yourself. Give yourself a reward IF you reach your training goals.
     

Once you arrive to your test well prepared, the PFT becomes "just another workout" and the only anxiety you will get is a healthy dose of adrenaline that enables you to compete with your counterparts. This healthy dose is similar to competing in a 10K race.

Links to Stew Smith eBooks
Army Navy Air Force USMC Coast Guard
eBooks eBooks eBooks eBooks eBooks

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Stew Smith is a former Navy SEAL and Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) by the National Strength and Conditioning Association.  He specializes in military and law enforcement fitness, particularly Special Operations units.  Please feel free to email him at Stew@stewsmith.com with any comments or questions.



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Some Training Guide Ideas / Options
 

The Advanced Maintenance and Recovery Program

The Combat Swimmer Stroke DVD

The NEW - PFT Clinic DVD for Navy SEAL PST

Combat Conditioning Workout

Navy SEAL Workout Phase 1  Beginner Weeks 1-6

Navy SEAL Workout Phase 2 - 3 - Intermediate Weeks 1-12

Navy SEAL Workout Phase 4  Grinder PT -  Four weeks before Hell Week

Navy SWCC Workout

The Army Special Forces / Ranger Workout 

The Army Airborne Workout

The Army Air Assault School Workout

Air Force PJ / CCT Workout       USMC RECON Workout

Stew Smith's published books can be found in major bookstores and online retailers. They include:

Published Books / DVDs 

Complete Guide to Navy SEAL Fitness (Book / DVD)
Maximum Fitness
 The Special Operations Workout
 The SWAT Workout - From Recruit to SWAT Team Member
The Combat Swimmer Stroke DVD

The Pre-Habit Workout DVD

The Complete List of Stew Smith's eBooks:

 

General Fitness and Nutritional Guides for Everyone

The 90 Day Beginner Guide to Fitness
The Advanced Maintenance and Recovery Program

Reclaim Your Life - The Erin O'Neill Program

Veteran's Fitness - Baby Boomer and a Flat Stomach

The Diabetic Prevention Workout / Diet

The Athlete Workout - Rugby, Soccer, Lacrosse & Football
The Busy Executive Workout Routine

The Six Week Advanced Weight Training / PT Guide
The Perfect Pushup Workout

 

The Special Forces Physical Fitness Workouts
New - Combat Conditioning Workout

Navy SEAL Workout Phase 1  Beginner Weeks 1-6
Navy SEAL Workout Phase 2 - 3 - Intermediate Weeks 1-12
Navy SEAL Workout Phase 4  Grinder PT -  Four weeks before Hell Week

Navy SWCC Workout

The Army Special Forces / Ranger Workout  Phase 1 & 2

The Army Air Assault School Workout

The Army Airborne Workout

USMC RECON Workout Phase 1 & 2

Air Force PJ / CCT Workout

NEW - The Coast Guard Rescue Swimmer Workout - NEW

The OCS, ROTC, Service Academy, & Bootcamp Workouts

Navy, Air Force, and Coast Guard OCS Workout

USMC OCS / TBS Workout
The Air Force OTS Workout

The Service Academy Workout (West Point, Navy, Air Force Academy)

The Navy, Air Force, Marine Corp Bootcamp Workout

The Army OCS and PFT Workout
The Army Air Assault School Workout

The Army Airborne Workout
 

The Law Enforcement Physical Fitness Test Workouts

The FBI Academy Workout

The DEA Workout

The FLETC Workout - Ace the PEB / Same as Blackwater's Test

The State / Local Police Academy Workout

The Public Safety Diver Workout
The Fire Fighter Workout
 Border Patrol Agent Workout
ATF Agent Workout

                 
               

          

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click to buy the Perfect Pushup __________________________________________________________________________________________

Some Titles Above available in Print Softcover Format

to www.stewsmith.com