physical condition

[bleiterman88]

i already posted this in a different forum but it makes more sense here so here it is i am 19 and would like to start working for a firedepartment. one thing i have heard is i am to small. i am 5foot 10 and weight about 140 pounds but i am strong bench max 195, squat max 305,clean max 175. i am trying to gain weight and muscle but having difficulty. do you think i am to small and any suggestions on gaining weight.

[Guest]

Firefighters come in all different shapes and sizes, train specifically for that departments physical and then if you get a conditional offer, ask what you should do to prepare for PT at the acedemy. But youre size wont be an issue if you work at it.

[BCLepore]

I work with plenty of "skinny" guys. I wish I was one of them! As you get older you will fill in.
I want you to remember one thing,

It's not the size of the man in the fight, it's the size of the fight in the man.

Don't let anyone tell you differently.

[callaway75]

You sound like a good person for confined space rescue!!! Don't worry about your size, if you get on this job, YOU WILL GAIN WEIGHT!!!

[agavegrove]

i am 19 and would like to start working for a firedepartment. one thing i have heard is i am to small. i am 5foot 10 and weight about 140 pounds but i am strong bench max 195, squat max 305,clean max 175.

When I was 19 I was 125-130 lbs. I'm also 5'10" I couldn't (and bench wise, still cannot) lift that amount of weight when I was that size. Like the guys said, you'll fill out. Physiologically you're body is still a teenager. The human body reaches it's peak around 25-27. I started lifting in college when I was 21. I took my first physical agility test weight 135 lbs and passed. I lifted, ate for weight gain, gained a little fat with age (I'm 29), and now I'm about 170 lbs... and still skinny.

Sounds like you're off to a great start. As someone who was once your size and got bigger take my advice: eat right, and keep working out hard. You'll gaining is easier now than it will be in about 7 years.

Remember that when you get into your mid 20s your body won't metabolize junk (fat, sweets, alcohol) as well - in other words to much Pepsi makes you plump! Get into the habit of avoiding that stuff now.

[Drjmilus]

Size/weight.strength

You are not small. I know plenty of guys who have gotten hired who are 4-5 inches shorter than you, and thin. YOu are young. Keep training with weights. As stated above- figure out exactly what the physical is for the department you are targeting, and train specifically for that test. Yes, you will fill in later. Muscle maturity is 26-27 for men. You are far from that. No rush on your part will help that happen any sooner!

I would focus on training to increase your VO2 max, and work on your Lat pulls/Pull ups (use a weight vest). I would also eat protein with every meal... and in between meal snacks (tuna/chicken/lean cheesefish) and keep your nose to the grind stone!

Dr. Jen
www.fireagility.com

[RetJaxFF]

Does size count?

i already posted this in a different forum but it makes more sense here so here it is i am 19 and would like to start working for a firedepartment. one thing i have heard is i am to small. i am 5foot 10 and weight about 140 pounds but i am strong bench max 195, squat max 305,clean max 175. i am trying to gain weight and muscle but having difficulty. do you think i am to small and any suggestions on gaining weight.

One day myself and a female FF were transfered to another station. This female was very small compared to me (i'm 6'5" and around 250 at the time)
since me and her were riding the back together another FF ask me if I had a problem riding with such a small person? I said no! He asked, "do you think she can pull you out if something happens?" I said No, but I bet she'll die trying !!

Attitude, desire, and the size of the heart count more to me than the size of the body.