The Pre-Armstrong Workout for Pull-up Beginners

If doing full dead-hang pullups, or as a whole, the official Armstrong Pullup Program is too difficult for you, we recommend trying the following workout until your max set is 7-10 controlled, full dead-hang pullups.  Best of luck! The Pre-Armstrong Pullup Program Workout Courtesy of Armstrong Pullup Program.com  When required, simply pick any bicep curl type exercises (barbell, dumbbell, alternating, exercise tube, kettlebells) or row … Continue reading The Pre-Armstrong Workout for Pull-up Beginners

PPPA (Push, Pull, Press, Abs) Home Gym Alternative

This is a recommended modification for a female friend just looking to lose some weight for her wedding by using Marine Corps-style PT. Get some! Instead of PPPA, do a circuit of sets of pushups, crunches, overhead presses, and lastly pullups or curls. So try doing 10 (girl) pushups, 30 seconds rest, 20 crunches, rest, 10 overhead presses, and finishing with pullups or curls, just some … Continue reading PPPA (Push, Pull, Press, Abs) Home Gym Alternative

Armstrong Pullup Program Too Much? Customize It Like This

Candidate’s Question I’m thinking about doing OCC-R in two years once I finish my bachelors. Problem is that I’m 6’2″ and 258 right now. I know I have plenty of time to fix myself and get in regs so I’m not too worried about that right now. I do have some questions though. 1. What is a suitable replacement for Fartlek right now? I’ll be … Continue reading Armstrong Pullup Program Too Much? Customize It Like This

One Easy Cheat Sheet to See if You’re Physically Ready for OCS

I challenge all candidates to achieve these minimum benchmarks before getting to OCS, and using them as training goals. This will put you in decent standing, but not the top of your class if these are your max sets. MALE Pullups: Max set 18 Pushups: Max set 65 Run: 21:00 3-mile Run: 880 meter sprint in 3:15 in boots (2:45 running shoes) Flutterkicks: Max set 60 … Continue reading One Easy Cheat Sheet to See if You’re Physically Ready for OCS

Burn Off That Pie, No Equipment Necessary: The Stair Workout

This is a guest post from Chad Howse. Did you wake up with a pumpkin pie-induced hangover this morning, feeling more like a butterball than a man? You’re ready to slough off that tryptophan haze and get yourself moving again. You want to do a full body workout that’s really going to make your muscles burn. But maybe you’re a college student home for the holiday … Continue reading Burn Off That Pie, No Equipment Necessary: The Stair Workout

The Full Body Twenty Minute Fartlek Workout

Warmup (3:00) 2:00 Jogging Ten burpees Five pullups Twenty mountain climbers The Fartlek Workout (15:00) Sprint 60 meters Max set of pushups in 45 seconds, alternate diamond and wide hands every 10 1:00 Run, high-tempo Max set of pullups, alternate palms in and out every 4 pullups 2:00 Run, medium tempo 45 seconds of crunches, 45 seconds of flutterkicks 1:00 lunges Max 1 set of dips … Continue reading The Full Body Twenty Minute Fartlek Workout

CFT Ammo Box Lifting

The Ultimate Marine Corps Combat Fitness Buddy Workout

What You Need: A motivated buddy Boots and utes (or boots and any pants, like jeans) A pull-up bar Two 30-lb ammo cans (or 30-lb dumbbells) A stopwatch What You’ll Do: Warm Up Start out with a quarter-mile jog then two minutes of easy jumping jacks Mix in high knees and arm circles on the jog The Circuit Alternate with your partner, completing 10 total … Continue reading The Ultimate Marine Corps Combat Fitness Buddy Workout

Guest Post: Yoga Routine for OCS or Boot Camp

When you’re getting ready to join any branch of the military, boot camp is something you’ve got to prepare for— both mentally and physically. While the mental preparation is a bit more of a personal solution, getting your body ready for the stress and challenges of boot camp will require a lot of exercise, with a heavy emphasis on core and stamina training. The physical side … Continue reading Guest Post: Yoga Routine for OCS or Boot Camp

Workout Review: Should I Try P90X before OCS?

What is P90X? P90X is an extremely popular 90-day DVD workout program by the ageless, irrepressible Tony Horton. It consists of hour-long workouts emphasizing bodyweight exercises, pullups, circuit-style workouts, dumbbells, and many, many ab workouts. If you haven’t heard about it, check out reviews on Amazon or Google, or just stop living under that rock. The Good P90X is not easy per se, but it is a … Continue reading Workout Review: Should I Try P90X before OCS?

Printable Armstrong Pullup Program Workout Tracker

This tracker was born out of the frustration of one Marine officer. A year since his last Armstrong program participation, he struggled to find a concise and visual reminder of each day’s workout. This is one man’s attempt at a clean, useful one page summation to help guide and track workouts. Feel free to save, print, and share the tracker to your heart’s content. If … Continue reading Printable Armstrong Pullup Program Workout Tracker