Train Like Your Life Depends on It

Have you ever been at the gym and out of the corner of your eye you catch someone playing on their phone? It’s one thing if your workout is on your phone and you’ll checking what your next exercise is, but 80% of the people on their phone at the gym aren’t doing this. It’s much more likely that they’re on Facebook or uploading their next killer pic to Instagram. It’s gonna get so many likes, bro.

There should be a reason behind you working out. Just showing up and going through the motions isn’t going to motivate you that much. Without a reason to workout, you’re much more likely to slip up and take a few unscheduled days off for no reason. You need to be training with a purpose, having a reason as to why you’re dedicating your time to the gym in the first place.

If you’re a first responder then you have your reason right there. You train for the unknowable because you never know when your life (or someone else’s) might depend on your level of fitness. Do you want to be that cop that can’t keep up with a 30 second foot pursuit because your cardio sucks ass? Or that firefighter that sucks down a cylinder in 10 minutes and have to cut your primary search short to change out your air supply?

The number of scenarios that could come up where your level of fitness plays a role in the outcome is almost endless. As a medic, firefighter, or cop, being in shape is a large responsibility on your part. You don’t want to be seen as the weakest link on your shift. That being said, you need to start training like your life depends on it. Keep that in the back of your mind each time before you go into a workout. Think about it on the way to the gym. Think about it when things get tough in a workout and you’re hunched over sucking air.

Your life could one day depend on your fitness level. You are doing your co-workers, your community, and yourself a disservice by taking the easy road when it comes to staying in shape. Put in the hard work, embrace the suffering of a tough workout, and prepare yourself for any scenario that might come your way. Those who win are the ones that prepare the best.

Jon Griffith specializes in optimizing performance for firefighters & police. Jon is a personal trainer, firefighter, and former U.S. Army infantryman. He lives in Austin, Texas with his wife and 3 cats.

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