Help me out with my swimming

[sandman27]

I am currently in the process of applying for the Australian Army. I am okay about most of the fitness requirements, but not the swimming. Is there any methods for increasing my swimming power?

[pseudonym]

What job are you applying for that you have to pass a swim test? (just curious).

I myself am a very average swimmer and the best thing I found to improve myself in the pool was good 'ol lap swimming. Nothing fast, just working on getting myself up and down the pool without stopping.

If you've got some skills in the pool and it's nothing to knock out hundreds of meters at a time then I'm afraid I can't really offer all that much in the way of more advanced swim training.

Before you get too wrapped round the axles about swimming though; how's your 2.4km time? pushups? situps?

Best of luck with your application.

[sandman27]

to get in isn't a 2.4 km time, it's a 7.5 or higher on a beep test, which i can usually knock out a 9 or 9.5, pushups and sit ups fine, they only ask u to do 10 pushups for the army, 8 for navy or air force.

[pseudonym]

Ah OK I understand what stage of the processs you're at now ... still don't see how a swim test fits into anything though (only SF, armoured and maybe a few engineers and artillerymen need to pass any sort of water-based test).

Not that this should deter you from improving your swimming of course (it's a handy skill to have and be proficient at).

Word to the wise: ignore the requirements of the PFA (Pre Fitness Assessment - the test you just described), they are only a guide to make sure you won't keel over and have a stroke once you start training for real.

Score yourself against at a MINIMUM the BFA (Basic Fitness Assessment) standards.

For a young bloke you need to achieve 50 Pushups, 75 situps and run the 2.4 in under 11:18 (this is the absolute minimum needed to pass the test, not to excel in your training - bear that in mind).

A wise man once told me that 'everything in the army is just easier if you're fit' and he was absolutely right; doesn't matter what job you want, the fitter you are the easier it will be.

Best of luck - I look forward to reading about your progress.

[Willie5566]

Sandman-

What is your goal and or what do you need to accomplish? Do you need better conditioning? Faster? Endurance? Is your test timed?

What is your current abilities? Average swimmer? Below Average swimmer? What strokes are you comfortable with?

If you can provide some of this information, I can probably give you some ideas.