It’s a no-brainer. Being in the military is physically demanding. You have to be in the best physical state at all points in time. It is more or less part of the job description. And this demand often require that military personnel engage in some really rigorous exercises in order to stay in the best shape possible.
If you want to take your workouts to a whole new level, we’d recommend that you exercise with a plate carrier strapped on. This will increase the intensity of the training regimen and also shoot your physical condition off the roof. However, there are certain things that you must take note of if you want get the best out of training with a plate carrier.
Here are some of them. Go get a note pad!
- Avoid pushing yourself beyond your limits. Just like weight-lifting, the only way that you can get great results from training with a plate carrier is if the right amount of weight is used. This is why it is highly important for you to understand your physical limitations. For this, you might want to start slow. Try not to add a heavy weighted plate on your first day of use.
- Use the 10% rule, it works! The rule states that for successful weighted training, you might need to stick with 10% of your total body weight. So, if you weigh 200lbs, that’s a plate carrier weighing 20lbs for you.
- If you find out that you cannot maintain a good stance or posture after adding the weight, avoid using it. Try to get a good grip on yourself before introducing it slowly into your routine. Doing this can lead to some serious body damage.
- Ensure that your plate carrier sits properly on your body. Not too tight, not too loose. A tight plate carrier can affect your breathing while a loose carrier can make your imbalance.
- Rest from time to time. Don’t push yourself too hard with it. Allow your body to gently get accustomed to using the plate carriers as well as the added weight.
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