Functional police training?

[JRT6]

I just have to be judgemental here. I worked out during lunch tonight and while I was doing a 3 mile 5-8 degree treadmill run there were two off duty guys doing bench presses, dumbell inclines, dumbell flies and some shirley machine crap. Now you might say that they're bodybuilders doing their own thing and I would agree that that's fine. But these guys think they'er training to be fighting fit. Yeah sure if that entrails doing a pose off on the street. Every time I work out I get looked at like I'm an alien.

This why I get passive agressive when it comes to doing voluntary fitness tests and other related stuff. How can a guy who does plate stripping decline bench press on the shirley tell me if I'm in shape or not.

In the end though guys working out to muscle and fitness magazine or not training at all makes being king of the hill a lot easier.

[CityOfChicago]

You're mostly likely right - those guys are working out so that they look like 'studs'. But just to play Devil's Physiological Advocate...

The repeated stresses from heavy resistance training force adaptations not only to the skeletal muscles, but to the connective tissues as well. These officers will not only find themselves in a superior strength position when it comes time to wrestle with an unrully and combative subject, but they will also find themselves to be more resistant to joint injuries and muscle strains. Also, the 'stripping' exercises increase lactic acid tolerance and local muscular endurance, allowing these officers to engage in that type of activity - like fighting a combative subject - for longer periods, typically longer than the subject they are fighting, and to recover form that exertion faster. Again, you are probably right. These guys are doing it just to build muscle for appearances sake. But then, these are the unintended results they also get, even if they dont realize it.

And, hey, looking like a specimen isn't always a bad thing either. When we talk about Use of Force, one of the lowest uses of force we have is Officer Presence. I've had two partners recently. One is 6'5 and looks like a corn-fed farm boy, the other is shorter than me, but looks like a pro-bodybuilder. I'm not a small guy myself. I have had many occasions where us getting out of the car on scene has changed attitudes. Of course, that's not always the case, and some people dont give a **** and will fight with you no matter what. But everyone is thinking it in the side of their mind - even the fighters - and that's an advantage I'll take.

I'm sure you do more training yourself than just your treadmill runs. And I'm sure you can list off the benefits of such runs to the performance of your duties. And I agree that aerobic fitness is important for health and job performance. But I also know that I've never chased an offender for 3 miles up an incline. I have had to chase offenders for a couple blocks, then fight them. Just saying - those guys on the bench might be wondering what good your run will do you if you have to wrestle a combative subject.

[Samuel]

Personally, I like mixing the running and exercising but there are days, usually when I'm hurting pretty good for whatever reason, when I will only exercise or where I will only run. Then there are lighter/heavier days, faster/slower days, days where I'm doing something unconventional, etc. Someone passing by or just coming in might see me all sweaty and dying with only a pair of 2-3 lb dumbbells in my hands and think man that guy is weak!

Usually, I'm just happy to see people working out at all. If I KNOW for sure that their workouts are "less well rounded" (e.g. running only or lifting only), I will try to encourage them to change it up or add this or that. I also like to show them how to apply their attributes towards DT/MA/MMA but it can be like pulling teeth...

[JRT6]

These cops maybe be bodybuilding but they ain't strong. Yes they are doing something postive for themselves but I believe, and I used to do what they did, that the carry over to any real tasks is minimal at best.

I'm not an advocate of LSD runs but running uphill for 3 miles is a man maker and all the current fight trainers, specifically Joel Jamison of 8weeksout.com and Ross Enamait, do aerobic base work. Since I started doing aerobic base work my conditioning has improved.

I made this post on another forum and people got real OCD on the treadmill comment there too. It's a tool fellas and that's all. I can't run down hill on my hill work due to knee stress and options at work are limited. I can't just go outside for a run in the park at 3am.

I don't run much as I'm too big and arthritic but my current plan has got me moving. I ran a dude down on the job a few weeks ago and that hasn't happened in years.

[CityOfChicago]

I'm not getting OCD on the running. Sure, it has its place. But so does good resistance training, as you know and agree with. I can't speak to what those other coppers you saw were doing, or their strength levels. But I fight more guys then I chase, and my chases are usually not very long. So I train to bounce people off walls and break arms. That's just me.

[JRT6]

I don't disagree, I'm not big on running either and certainly don't think it's the end all be all the guys on the fight forums think it is. However being able run a little bit and still fight with a guy has it's place for those who can do some speed work. My distance running is just a phase for this summer. Next year I'll be back to just doing a speed day or two a week and doing the rower, eliptical, GPP, bag work, etc for all the other cardio.

[Agoss@bw]

JRT6,
This is a little off topic, but I am taking the test for Cleveland on the 22nd of this month and I was wondering what the physical agility test consisted of and if you have an suggestions for it.

[JRT6]

You know I have no idea.

I would prepare for the 1.5 mile run, pushups and situps. Contrary to what was reported in the Plainfeeler Cleveland is still looking to scrape the bottom of the barrel for applicants and they seem to dumb the stardards down with every test. The Ohio attorney generals website should have the standards to pass the PT for the state

[Agoss@bw]

I know about the requirements to pass the OPATA test for my age group are 11:58 1 1/2 mile, 33 pushups in a min, and 40 sit-ups in a min. The only reason I asked was I had heard that the physical agility test, that is administered after the civil service exam, was different from the Ohio State physical requirements. Thanks for your input.

[JRT6]

I'll ask around but the CPD test can't be harder than the state and it would make sense for them to use the state test as it will help improve the chances the cadets they invest in pass the academy.