Candidates, this is my recommended pre-OCS workout. I would do you a disservice if I only laid out a formula to follow. Instead, I’m going to show the process I worked through to generate this plan, so that you can copy the process and get a personalized workout for yourself.
Goals Ranked
First, I ranked my workout goals:
- OCS-specific type activities
- Run for 3 mile speed
- Run for endurance/improve cardio
- Core improvement
- Pull-ups >20
- Stretching: recovery, injury prevention
First, proficiency at OCS workouts is the number one goal. Those are the ones you’re going to be doing! Fight as you train. Secondly, being able to do a strong 3 mile run came in as the second goal. Overall cardiovascular endurance is similar to the second but warrants its own goal. Next, core strength is goal 4 to do such things as planks, to help with humps and the new amounts of weight your body will be supporting. In fifth comes getting those 100 PFT points via pull ups. Lastly, incorporating stretching, recovery and injury-proofing multiplies the effectiveness of the workout and sets you up for success at OCS.
Here are some additional guidelines I set for myself concerning running, and daily and weekly pace of exercises:
Running:
The running program should be comprised of weekly workouts of 1 long run 5-8 miles, 1 day 3-4 miles, 1 day sprints.
Daily:
Stretching. Lower leg care, such as ankle mobility and strengthening exercises.
Weekly:
1 rest day, with yoga or stretching on that day.
2 days a week real OCS workouts minimum
Key:
PPPA: Push, Pull, Press, Abs
Fartlek: Fartlek runs
FF: Functional Fitness
C+FK: Crunches, Flutterkicks workout
Click below for the full workout:
Sunday
Push Pull Press Abs hits your OCS workout goal (1), as well as Core strength (4) and Pull (5)
A sprints workout helps your Run goal (2)
Stretching helps your Injury prevention goal (6)
Monday
Crunches + Flutterkicks workout builds your core. (4)
OCS Candidate doing Pull ups
Armstrong helps your pull ups (5)
Stretching helps your Injury prevention goal (6)
Tuesday
A Fartlek hits your OCS workout goal as well as your Run and Cardio (1, 2, 3)
Stretching helps your Injury prevention goal (6)
Wednesday
A three mile run hits your OCS and Run goals (1, 2)
100 Crunches work your Core (4)
Armstrong helps your pull ups (5)
Stretching helps your Injury prevention goal (6)
Thursday
A functional fitness workout hits your OCS workout goal (1) as well as your Cardio and Core (1, 3, 4)
Alternatively, Push Pull Press Abs hits your OCS workout goal (1), as well as Core strength (4) and Pull (5)
Stretching helps your Injury prevention goal (6)
Candidates doing crunches on their PFT
Friday
A five mile run hits your OCS and Run goals (1, 2)
Stretching helps your Injury prevention goal (6)
Saturday
Crunches + Flutterkicks workout builds your core. (4)
Armstrong helps your pull ups (5)
Stretching helps your Injury prevention goal (6)
Are women required to do pull-ups as part of their PFT. My understanding is that women do the flexed-arm hang and males do the pull-ups. Even if the pull-ups are not part of the female PFT, are they part of the female PT-ing at OCS?
Melissa, honestly I’m not an expert on the Female Experience of OCS since we didn’t even have any in our company, but I think women always do bent-arm hangs instead. It’d be unfair to expect them to do the same number of pull ups as men, and OCS is tough but not stupid. Usually. (Female PFT is unchanged–it’s just the bent-arm hang)
Also, I forgoit to ask, on Sunday do I also do sprints on week one with the PPPA or just on weeks 2 and 3? Thanks
Whatever you feel up to. The workout is just a starting point. If you can do them, and your legs will recover fine, then do it!
For Thusdays, is the PPPA an alternative to FF or is it in addition to FF? I don’t have a buddy to do FF with so im just doing PPPA. Also, any recommendations for the Push pull part of the PPPA? I can do 9-10 pullups on the first set then 25 pushups. However on the second set I can only do 3-4 pullups. SHould I do as many as i can or do the 3-4, rest 10 seconds and then try to do as man yas I can until I reach 8 for the second set of pullups?
Yes it is an alternative. Hmm, for the pull ups there are a few different schools of thought. I would recommend doing about 8 the first time, and scaling the whole workout down a bit. Then, you don’t have one great set that ruins the rest of your workout. You can slowly increase all the sets together. Very good question though.
Also consider assisted pull ups. You can put a chair in front of you and set your foot on it, to take a little weight off your arms. Then you can have more control over your workout.
Are there any special foods/carbs/etc.. that you incorporate into your diet for running? I’ve gone to sites such as runner’s world searching for the best food or diets, but I want to know from a Marine. I’d appreciate any feedback, thanks.
Hi Maria,
Runners World and other sources are probably more comprehensive than anything I could tell you, but I have learned the hard way to avoid dairy before a PFT. I have eaten big breakfasts of eggs and fruit and juice before a run, and been fine. So at OCS, do eat before PT, just don’t overdo the dairy. Before very early morning runs where it’s impractical to get a breakfast an hour or two early, I drink some gatorade and take a big spoonful of peanut butter. Although fatty, it’s small and solid enough that I’ll have calories for a few hours but it never makes me feel sick, personally.
Find what works for you, and talk to the pros, but that’s what works for me.
I couldn’t find the answer to my question anywhere else on this site, so I apologize if I’m over looking it, but…
How do I know how many reps of Push/Pulls and Crunches/Presses for PPPA?
Thank you for all the information on this site, definitely the best I’ve seen yet.
Luke
Luke, I don’t remember exactly but it’s a pyramid workout. So starts with maybe 20 pushups, 5 pull ups, then 30 crunches and 30 presses, and you do the entire rotation several times, adding reps each time. Can’t remember the specifics, but push yourself hard and you’ll be prepared for whatever they throw at you.
what are some good stretching techniques for the knees to help and prevent runners knee?
Stretching and flexibility has little or nothing to do with runner’s knee. Don’t increase mileage more than 10% per week and run regularly but ease off if it becomes a problem. I had many struggle with runner’s knee, and the solution is not running. Gotta take it slow.
Could you give an example of a typical crunch/flutter kick workout for this program? Many thanks.
Certainly. Doing several sets of 30 crunches and 20 flutterkicks (Left Up, Right Up, Left Up, Right Up = One) with a little rest to yell in between. For your personal workouts, let your own body be the guide and do as many sets of 30 crunches and 20 flutterkicks you need to get some good burn. Remember you can overdo it though. Feel free to rest in between sets.
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