Top exercises to take your training up a level

Are you still fighting fit? Want to get your heart rate up and smash your personal best?  

We’re here to help! 

In 2018, the Army scrapped the allowances for gender and age to introduce new “gender and age-neutral” physical assessments. While we know many of you may not have fond memories of being ‘beasted’ while doing phys (though there are many other fond memories our members have shared from their time in basic), keeping your body moving is a no-brainer both for your physical fitness and mental wellbeing.  

Last week, we gave you our top seven offers to help you stay fighting fit, but we thought we’d also challenge some of our team to share their recommended routines and exercises.  

Crack on with some cardio! 

Our Head of Partner Acquisition, Alex, is often found in the gym and told us that HIIT training is his easiest go-to for a good cardio workout. 

“Just grab a fast-paced song with lots of build ups in it, a treadmill, a sweat towel and off you go!” 

Marketing manager, Jo, on the other hand, confirms that “the most important aspect of any fitness regime would be progressive overload. Do it gradually, but consistently, if you want to really see results. Also, don't forget that training means absolutely nothing if you're not eating the right things and nourishing yourself from the inside out!” 

Find a plan that works for you! 

RAF veteran, Naomi, has recently joined our team as a Grants and Partnership Manager and she told us that - during her time in the Royal Air Force - she largely had a “Love/hate relationship” with phys.  

“I hated running unless I had a hockey stick in my hand so would avoid it as much as possible but after I was medically discharged in 2014, life changed. Keeping a level of fitness became a necessity for both my physical and mental wellbeing and I had to adapt exercise as I was no longer able to use my body in the same way as before.” 

“Being a wheelchair user, having strong arms is a necessity, so I now undertake a lot of bodyweight training and skierg to keep them strong. I also started playing adaptive sports like para ice hockey and wheelchair racing (which is my alternative to running). Don’t get me wrong, when I’m 8km in on the racing chair, I still think ‘what are you doing?!’ but I've also been able to represent my country at Para Ice hockey and the Invictus Games in Sydney which is something I wouldn't have been able to do pre-injury, so a little discomfort is well worth it.” 

“Enjoying getting your body moving in whatever form is important not just for your physical health but your mental wellbeing, so in my opinion, it’s important to embrace it in whatever form you do and just focus on enjoying the journey.” 

Shop and save! 

Kick your arse into gear and make time to stay fighting fit (whether that’s getting back into the gym, beating your PB or just going for a walk around the neighbourhood) with our top savings on gym memberships, activewear and more, or - if you want to really push yourself and see if you are still fit enough to pass the military fitness test - you can check out the Army Physical Training Corps 16-week programme to help you get fit enough to pass basic training.  

You can also download the Army’s 100% ArmyFit app (available in the App Store and on Google Play) to master the right techniques and identify gaps in your training.