How To Train Like A Navy Seal For Beginners

Navy Seal standards are beyond the standards that many individuals are expected to live by, both in strength and character. 

To train like a navy seal, you have to be committed and prepared. Navy Seals are trained for the most intense conditions under great pressure. The valor and might in which these people embody are admirable and aspirational. 

It is important to remember that any training of this magnitude takes time and dedication when starting your training. 

The Demands of Physical Training

The physical training of a navy seal is expansive. For beginner training, let us take a look at the main areas of physical training required. 

Their training takes place both on land and in the water. You will need to be prepared to take on both in your training. The physical entrance test for Navy Seals before training requires a swim, core, and cardio evaluation. 

Within this test, both endurance and strength are evaluated. The qualifying test will complete all of the following practices in succession to one another. Breaks between each are limited and timed. The test is done both in water and on land.

These three areas are a great place to begin your training. All of the training practices mentioned below are the measures by which Seals are evaluated before the entrance. As a beginner, working towards the qualifying standards is a great place to start your training. 

Conditioning On Land

A mile and a half run, pull-ups, crunches, and push-ups are all part of the initial land evaluation. 

The mile and a half run must be completed in under ten minutes and 30 seconds. Beyond that, applicants are required to complete a minimum of 50 push-ups, 50 curl-ups, and ten pull-ups at the minimum within the two-minute timeframe given for each activity. 

Conditioning In The Sea

In the evaluation, individuals are expected to swim a timed, 500-meter swim. This is four and a half lengths of an Olympic-sized pool. This swim must be completed as a sidestroke or breaststroke swim.

Both of these strokes take time to master and execute quickly. The minimum requirement is completion under 12 minutes and 30 seconds. 

Training As A Navy Seal Requires Mental Toughness Too

Beyond the need for bravery and faithfulness to the mission, the physical training of a Navy Seal requires intense mental training. The limits these individuals push their bodies are often well beyond what most people would consider their limit.

While you are not training for the combat and military practices as a Navy Seal, you will need to focus on mental training too. It is important to speak with a medical professional about healthy boundaries and measures to push your body. They can also recommend ways of monitoring your body throughout workouts to ensure you do not take it too far. 

Once you know your medical limits, it is time to work on your mental limits. Push your mind to be resolute and driven to extend the limits you think are possible. Go faster and farther than you feel like you can within the medical guidelines. 

How To Get Started With Your Training

Putting your body through intense exercise will require taking care of your body. This is arguably one of the most crucial parts of training if you want to train long-term. 

Drinking plenty of water, getting quality rest, and adding supplements to your daily routine can promote a more fruitful training and successful recovery. 

While there is a standard recommended amount of water consumption for the average adult, your exercise will require more. Consistently drink plenty of water throughout the day, avoiding dehydrating drinks. 

Your daily meals should help you in the gym. They can certainly hurt you in the gym as well. High amounts of cardio and physical exercise do call for a high-calorie diet. 

While some people just want to consume calories and protein for caloric intake, this mentality will work against them. Rather, focus on large portions and consistent snacks throughout your day. 

Your portions and nutritional focus should be determined based on your health, restrictions, and daily output. 

Supplements can be your best friend while training. Some supplements promote joint health or the maintenance of healthy hormone levels. Consider adding these to your routine as you push your body to the next level. 

Regardless of whether you are training like a Navy Seal or for your local 5k, these practices should be incorporated into every athlete’s training. 

Dryland Training

Focus on a full-body strength training routine. Calisthenics-focused strength training will best prepare you for the training expected of Navy Seals. Bodyweight training is more important than weight lifting.

The approach will follow the same gradual increase in repetitions or intensity that any strength-training regime may require. 

However, to train like a navy seal, these exercises should be based on speed as well. Ensure that your form is consistent and accurate throughout the workout. Increase your speed gradually to minimize the possibility of injury. 

In-Water Training

Swimming laps is not the only or even best way to water train. While you will be tested on your ability to swim distance, resistance training and various breathing exercises during your swims will also equip you. 

Sprints and hypoxic breathing are two examples of things you should incorporate into your workout. 

The strokes allowed during the test are either breast-stroke or sidestroke. It would be essential to practice both of these strokes to ensure that you keep to the same distance challenge. Breaststroke and sidestroke swimming requires a different set of muscles and strength than freestyle might require.  

Sports And Hobbies That Assist in Training

There are a few sports and hobbies that would also contribute to your training. If you like to mix up your workouts and have more team-oriented training sessions, these are the best to focus on. 

Additionally, the team-based culture of Navy Seals requires teammate-focused performance. Some of these sports include:

• Water-polo
• Swimming
• Wrestling 
• Track and field 
• Cross-country

Sustaining Your Progress

Take the time to rest and nourish your body. Especially when starting, allowing your body to acclimate to the strain placed on it is very important. Set progressive goals for each week, month, and quarter to track your pace. 

Allow these goals to challenge and push you while still ensuring your body has time to recover within those goals. 

Concluding Reminders

Training for a navy seal goes beyond the training listed here. This initial test is only the entrance to candidacy. As you continue your progress, you can increase the requirements according to the various levels Seals’ are called to. 

If you want to push your mind and your body to new levels, get ready. Training like a Navy Seal is a rewarding but demanding challenge. Follow these guides to help navigate your way through the process.