Fit to Serve, Fit for Life!
Magazine Article / December 13, 2021
Since the COVID-19 pandemic struck, many reservists have seen their work routines drastically changed, and many still continue to work from home. While we focus on accomplishing the day-to-day tasks related our jobs, we may have neglected other aspects of our habitual work routines. Military fitness facilities (as well as civilian ones) and Personnel Support Program (PSP) fitness services were stood down leaving members to their own resources to find ways to stay in shape. On top of that FORCE testing stopped, so there went a key motivating factor for some folks.
Were you able to maintain your personal physical fitness, or did you let yourself go a bit? If it’s the latter, it happens and it’s especially understandable given the lack of available options for working out during the pandemic’s lockdown periods. The good news is it’s never too late to start fresh!
Jordan Springer, a Fitness and Sports Instructor with PSP at Canadian Forces Support Group (Ottawa-Gatineau) says the best advice he can give if you are returning to training is to lower your expectations.
Beyond personal well-being, meeting the CAF fitness standard can open reservists to increased employment opportunities, such as a deployment, applying for a new Reserve position, Component Transfer into the Regular Force or, for those who so wish, the potential to serve beyond compulsory retirement age of 60.
“Personal fitness is just as important for reservists as it is for Regular Force members,” says Chief Warrant Officer Jim McKenzie, RCAF Reserve CWO. “The benefits are employability for service but, more importantly, it will help you maintain a long and healthy lifestyle once you leave the military.”
Need help getting restarted? Want to find out more? Check out the resources available at:
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