Physical Training
 

(I wasnt sure If I should put this in n00b tank or general :S)
So Airsoft is vastly about the Idea of playing soldier it is a fun role play Idea for people who wanted something more real than COD and less real than bullets in their faces, so I was wondering how many people actually do rigorous physical training for airsoft
like does anyone run hardcore military-esque training programs to keep themselves and or others in top physical condition for gaming ?

Have you been to a game and Looked around?

I'm 44... 20 lbs overweight.. both knees are shot... and I'm half stupid due to to many concussions and I can outrun most the 20 year olds who come out to play

I would be hard pressed to find a team which is actively training (as in working out) specifically for airsoft.

But a lot of individuals do physical training, which of course, helps their game.

Most airsofters could use a work out, and I'm not exception. ;)

it's better to maintain good cardio and knees, as moving is quite essential in airsoft.
if you really run around, airsoft is quite cardio so maybe you don't want to smoke too much between games ;)

Smoke during the game. :)

Good question. I've found that most players who already have some sort of physical regiment due to lifestyle/work apply that training to their airsoft.

I'd be happy if I could get players to just stretch before a game (all you old farts you know who you are!) just so they could minimize the chance of injury.

Basically it comes down to a personal decision on how fit you want to be, but if you do it will provide you with advantages when playing against someone of equal skill but not in equal shape.

you would be hard pressed to find a picture of me at a game NOT smoking..they exist, but few and far between :D

it's better to have big quads to run from cover to cover, it's more explosive strength than cardio, and you don't want to tear a knee when starting to run.(usually from a crouched position)

Also it's better to work out to actually be able to carry your AEG around for several hours without complaining that it's too heavy as some airsofters do ;)

I go to the gym for my own personal gain not for airsoft. Any increases in my strength, speed,endurance or flexibility due to going to the gym benefit me for my every day life, its just an added bonus for airsoft.

I do cross country running, parkour, regular heavy bike rides and intense hiking :)
, haven't been to a game yet, but Im ready for a lot of running jumping climbing, whatever it takes to flank people
or I'll just do it for fun, I like being active

hey wait. lifting pints to my mouth isn't exercise?

Yeah, same here. I basically go to the gym 5 times a week, depending how much time I have. I also do a lot of running due to lots of ultimate frisbee games.

That's my kind of workout! :D

i remember reading an age old adage on this forum awhile back:

You have to be in shape to play airsoft. But playing airsoft does not make you in shape.

I agree that it obviously helps to be in shape, however I think ANY physical exercise, be it cardio or muscular driven IS and WILL always be a form of exercise, so long as its done on a relatively consistant level, airsoft is no exception to that rule.

Airsoft leverages all of your bodies functions, Eye hand coordination (reloading while maintenaning sight of your target), cardiovascular (static and fluid running movements, ducking etc), muscular (being able to lift your 20lbs all metal M4) , muscle endurance (being able to hold your 20lbs all metal m4 while running, ducking etc....lol) add an extra 20lbs of gear and mags and it can become a full body circuit training routine...

These are just a few obvious examples....

There is always Rifle Strenghten Exercises