Firefighter Fitness

The last article focused on conditioning for emergency workers and emphasized the need for a good cardiovascular program, what that means, and how to go about starting one. This article builds from that by focusing on how to train the musculoskeletal system for top performance as a firefighter. However, due to limited space, we will take a glimpse of what a top-notch 21st century firefighter program should include, and have you read about it more in depth in an article written by John Metzger, a firefighter who is also a colleague with the National Academy of Sports Medicine.

Firefighters and world class athletes have something big in common - they use their bodies to achieve spectacular results. However, with firefighters there is something considerably more on the line at times, which is why we at Good News Training believe the way to train firefighters is the same way we would train an Olympian or other international level athlete. We have found no other method works quite as well as the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) Optimal Performance Training (OPT) model.

The model is a one of a kind approach to training the human body. It combines both increased performance alongside injury prevention that creates results that are otherwise unparalleled in the world of fitness. Perhaps the most important feature is it's adherence to what current science shows the body needs for proper training. Thanks to Dr. Michael Clark's genius, it then takes a systematic approach to delivering that with each training session, while building through a continuum of stability, strength and power.

The model is title Optimal Performance Training because of the emphasis on "optimal" needs of the individual to achieve their goal. In the case with firefighters, as with world class athletes, some will have different needs than others. The NASM approach is to assess each individual and determine where they need to start in order to get to their goal quickly, safely and effectively. To find out more about it read John Metzger's article.