Fitness
Fitness does play a part in Airsoft. Although you don't need Special Forces level we definitely recommend to have at least a decent fitness to play well in Airsoft. Never minding this, good fitness plays a vital role throughout your life. With good nutrition and plenty of exercise you will feel better, happier, stronger, more confident and (obviously) healthy.
You don't need to go to the gym (although it is better and more interesting then working out on your own).
Let's focus about fitness aspects that you will use in Airsoft. The main one is called Cardiovascular Fitness. This is your stamina, and with good CV Fitness you will run for long periods of time at a decent speed. This is extremely important in Airsoft, where you may need to sprint a good distance. And then you don't want to breathe like a steam train. Well, to avoid that you may need to run around your local area or on the treadmill.
First of all, don't aim too high (unless you are already fit). You will not run 5 miles (8km) straight away. You need to start off low and then get better and better after a while. And don't just run at one pace. Oh no no no! The best way is something called Interval Training. This is where you run the same distance, but at several different paces. Here is the example of Interval Training:
This way you get more out of your time compared to running at the same distance. Your heart rate will go up and down, which requires much more energy. This is much tougher. And this is much better for Airsoft, because you will not run at constant pace, but rather run and walk at different speeds.
Some Airsoft Teams have fitness requirements that you need to pass in order to join their team. This might look like this:
So running ok but what about Press-Ups and Sit-Ups. In case you don't know what they are then have a look at the following videos:
Press-Ups video taken from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zF0jbubK_jU
Sit-Ups video taken from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6rP8h2YLYro
You don't need to go to the gym (although it is better and more interesting then working out on your own).
Let's focus about fitness aspects that you will use in Airsoft. The main one is called Cardiovascular Fitness. This is your stamina, and with good CV Fitness you will run for long periods of time at a decent speed. This is extremely important in Airsoft, where you may need to sprint a good distance. And then you don't want to breathe like a steam train. Well, to avoid that you may need to run around your local area or on the treadmill.
First of all, don't aim too high (unless you are already fit). You will not run 5 miles (8km) straight away. You need to start off low and then get better and better after a while. And don't just run at one pace. Oh no no no! The best way is something called Interval Training. This is where you run the same distance, but at several different paces. Here is the example of Interval Training:
- First 250m walk as a Warm-Up with gradually increasing speed
- 200m Jog
- 150m Running
- 100m Sprint
- 100m Jog
- 100m Sprint
This way you get more out of your time compared to running at the same distance. Your heart rate will go up and down, which requires much more energy. This is much tougher. And this is much better for Airsoft, because you will not run at constant pace, but rather run and walk at different speeds.
Some Airsoft Teams have fitness requirements that you need to pass in order to join their team. This might look like this:
- 1km Run at 15min
- 15 Press-Ups in 2min
- 25 Sit-Ups in 2min
So running ok but what about Press-Ups and Sit-Ups. In case you don't know what they are then have a look at the following videos:
Press-Ups video taken from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zF0jbubK_jU
Sit-Ups video taken from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6rP8h2YLYro
Just start out with few press-ups/sit-ups and you will eventually get better. Don't overexercise! If you feel sick or dizzy stop exercising immediately! But also keep in mind if your muscles are stiff then that means your muscles are working. If you feel some pain in the muscles (no longer then 3 days) then you know you have done well.
Have a look at the following websites. These have more information about how to get fitter:
Have a look at the following websites. These have more information about how to get fitter:
- http://www.mensfitness.com/training/cardio/8-amazing-fat-burning-intervals
- http://www.wikihow.com/Get-Fit-the-Military-Way
- http://www.mensfitness.com/training/endurance/7-ways-to-boost-your-endurance-and-stamina
- http://generalfitness.tripod.com/id1.html