burger-style menu icon
FITNESS TEST
EXERCISES
Focus your energy on the right type of training you need to compete ahead of your Pre-Joining Fitness Test (PJFT). Our personal training instructors will show you exactly how to do it.
FITNESS
IN THE RAF
Being fit encompasses everything - looking after yourself, being resilient, being robust, staying fit and avoiding injuries.
 
We look at your aerobic fitness, muscular endurance and mobility. These are all areas you can improve through hard work and training.
Warming up and cooling down are essential. Warming up helps to prevent injury by preparing your body for training and cooling down helps your body return to normal after exercise.
 
Improving your fitness is a great way to prepare for your life in the RAF.
WARMING UP &
MOBILITY EXERCISES

Take 2-3 minutes to warm up with these gentle exercises for the whole body. Your body will be primed ready for training and the mobility exercises will help to look after your joints.

white play-video button large icon
Shoulder rotation
It is vital to warm up your shoulders before exercise. Learn how to safely perform a shoulder rotation.
white play-video button large icon
Trunk rotation
Learn how to safely perform a trunk rotation. This stretch will help prepare your lower back and hips for exercise.
white play-video button large icon
Calf stretch
Learn how to safely complete a calf stretch. This stretch will help prepare your legs for exercise.
white play-video button large icon
Body hug
It is important to loosen your muscles and remove tension before exercise. Learn how to stretch out your back by completing a body hug.
white play-video button large icon
Leg swings
Learn how to safely perform a leg swing. This will help mobilise your legs and warm up your joints before exercise.
white play-video button large icon
Shoulder rotation
It is vital to warm up your shoulders before exercise. Learn how to safely perform a shoulder rotation.
white play-video button large icon
Trunk rotation
Learn how to safely perform a trunk rotation. This stretch will help prepare your lower back and hips for exercise.
white play-video button large icon
Calf stretch
Learn how to safely complete a calf stretch. This stretch will help prepare your legs for exercise.
white play-video button large icon
Body hug
It is important to loosen your muscles and remove tension before exercise. Learn how to stretch out your back by completing a body hug.
white play-video button large icon
Leg swings
Learn how to safely perform a leg swing. This will help mobilise your legs and warm up your joints before exercise.
CARDIOVASCULAR
EXERCISE

Aerobic fitness is about how well you get oxygen around your body. If an activity makes you warm and out of breath it’s probably working your aerobic fitness.

 

Activities like cycling, swimming, running and walking are all good examples.

white play-video button large icon
Running
MUSCULAR ENDURANCE
EXERCISES

This is about how powerful your muscles are and how well they work against resistance. Press-ups, sit-ups and tricep dips are all good examples.

white play-video button large icon
Sit up
white play-video button large icon
Plank
white play-video button large icon
Press up
white play-video button large icon
Lunge
white play-video button large icon
Squat
white play-video button large icon
Dorsal Raise
white play-video button large icon
Sit up
white play-video button large icon
Plank
white play-video button large icon
Press up
white play-video button large icon
Lunge
white play-video button large icon
Squat
white play-video button large icon
Dorsal Raise
COOL
DOWN

Now it’s time to stretch to allow your muscles to recover. Complete each of the exercises below holding each for 30 seconds.

 

This will ensure your body recovers properly and is prepared for any future workouts.

white play-video button large icon
Standing abductor stretch
white play-video button large icon
Standing calf stretch
white play-video button large icon
Standing shoulder stretch
white play-video button large icon
Standing chest stretch
white play-video button large icon
Standing hamstring stretch
white play-video button large icon
Standing quad stretch
white play-video button large icon
Lying Abdominal stretch
white play-video button large icon
Shell stretch
white play-video button large icon
Standing abductor stretch
white play-video button large icon
Standing calf stretch
white play-video button large icon
Standing shoulder stretch
white play-video button large icon
Standing chest stretch
white play-video button large icon
Standing hamstring stretch
white play-video button large icon
Standing quad stretch
white play-video button large icon
Lying Abdominal stretch
white play-video button large icon
Shell stretch
EATING
WELL

Nourishing your body well is just as important as training it. A balanced diet will help you stay strong and healthy so you can perform at your best.

 

Food tips

  • Base your plate on starchy foods like potatoes, bread and rice.
  • Eat at least 5 portions of fruit and veg a day.
  • Include protein - meat, fish or lentils are all good sources.
  • Stay hydrated - drink 6-8 glasses of water a day.
  • Be mindful about your alcohol intake - make sure you have a number of alcohol-free days every week.
  • Start the day strong with a healthy breakfast to energise you for the day.
  • Eat at least one portion of oil fish every week.
  • Cut down on saturated fat - fewer sausages, fatty meats and butter.
  • Eat less sugar - less fizzy drinks, cakes and pastries.
  • Check food labels and choose those with a lower salt content.
FITNESS
PREPARATION
Look no further, here are the resources you’ll need to get started on your fitness journey and to train for PFJT.