PT and range time

[Anmut]

So I hate exercise, gyms suck, running sucks, the only thing I really love is biking and the snow in WI looks like it's here to stay for a long time. Aside from the fact I've put on about 30lbs this winter I can tell I'm just out.of.shape.

So today it hits me - I really love hitting the range, and I love to go during the week in the morning before everyone else - why wouldn't I devise some sort of cardio workout to go along with shooting?!

This is what I'm considering to start with:
- 10x pushups, shoot 5 rounds with the AR until 30rd mag is empty
- 5 up-downs, shoot 3 rounds with glock, repeat until empty
- run down and back the 100yd range, shoot 5 rounds with the AR, repeat until empty
I would put each of these sections on a timer to note improvement. As I get more into shape I would add / alternate the workout.

I'm thinking not only would this be a good cardio with rewards built into the workout, but shooting while the heart is going is another benefit. I have completely control of the range when I go early, so no worries about having anyone else to annoy while I do this.

So has anyone here have any experience like this or suggestions?

 

[W.E.G.]

Cue the Private Pyle on the obstacle course scene from Full Metal Jacket.

 

[Anmut]

I feel like I should be standing on my truck with a jelly doughnut in my hand.

 

[cat_IT_guy]

Good for you man. Any exercise is better than none, and more power to you if you can make it fun, as you'll be more likely to stick with it. I shot a summer biathlon last year that consisted of 4 x 3/4mile loops, broken up by 5 shots in each of prone, sitting/kneeling, and standing. It was great fun, but man did it make apparent how out of shape I'd gotten since running a marathon in 2009 - YIKES! Your workout seems like it would be great training for such an event, if I choose to compete again this year.

 

[taliv]

make it performance based.

pick a CoF like say, el presidente. if it takes you 10 seconds, you do 10 squats. and you do 10 pushups for every point down.

that way, you have some motivation to shoot better

 

[Fremmer]

Just be careful about it.

 

[Pizzapinochle]

- run down and back the 100yd range, shoot 5 rounds with the AR, repeat until empty

Just make sure everyone else at the range has the same plan or you will be practicing a whole different set of physical skills, like dodging bullets.

Sounds like a really good plan in general. Vary the distances/repetitions and intensity to get different results.

If you really want to work on controlling breathing, shorten the distance but run it HARD. To work more on shooting while fatigued, lengthen the distance. Etc.

 

[patmccoy]

Whether this is a good routine or not depends much on your goals.

Are you trying to learn to shoot under stress? If so, the method stated can help.

If you are looking for absolute top accuracy, you are just slowing your progress by intermingling the training. Physical traning should be done at a different time that marksmanship training in this case.

One exception I've made is in working with biathletes, who need to learn to control shots while under stress (but are not looking for absolute top accuracy, only enough for their relatively large target).

 

[Anmut]

patmccoy - actually I'm trying to turn work out time (boring as heck) into something fun at the range. Range time is always fun time!

 

[thefish]

Not gun related, but pugsley?

Ride it to the range! And get the 2 things you like rolled into one awesome workout.

 

[*Kemosabe*]

IIRC - Astronaut/Moon Walker Neil Armstrong said that since we have a finite number of heartbeats, why would you waste them on exercise?

I'll concede that running in place for 30 seconds may serve some useful purpose in learning to compensate for stress when shooting, but lets not overdo it!

 

[strambo]

I would add squats holding the rifle and alternate the exercises. Set push ups, shoot. Set squats, shoot. Set up-downs shoot. Run, shoot. etc.

Ideally, you would run through each exercise and shoot set once w/o rest. Take a short rest (30-60s) then repeat the circuit 2-4 more times.

I would be shooting close, realistic targets in a CQB type scenario for stress-induced training. I have done this sort of thing before, I have a place to shoot where I am typically the only one there.

 

[patmccoy]

Actually, I was referring to your goals for shooting.

Are you trying to get maximum accuracy, learn to shoot acceptable groups under pressure, or just hear the bang and send lead downrange.

For the first of these your method is counterproductive. For the other two it is OK.