The Firefighter’s Workout | The New York Times

A workout designed to help firefighters stay heart-healthy focuses on functional fitness exercises like stair climbing. Here’s how members of the New Brunswick, N.J., fire department stay fit.
Produced by: Colin Archdeacon
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The Firefighter’s Workout | The New York Times
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[@mitchwow5325]

Imagine getting a call right after a workout

[@recurve43]

Been there. It takes some serious mental strength (and a fair bit of collective cursing)

[@jraw4310]

Excatly why I hate working out on shift.

[@JM-fr3cd]

O it happens.

[@Patrick12434]

It happens

[@francecruz5157]

Imagine getting a call while having diarrhea

[@langan3311]

0:55 Stairs up + weight 1:39 Battle rope 1:57 Box jumps 2:18 Farmer's walk

[@MistressOP]

They should also include a health plan. as well. Nutrition seems to be something we need to better fund in the firehouse. as well it for... cops .. as well

[@josephsewell3006]

Miss O.P. Check out firefighter functional fitness by dan Kerrigan and Jim moss. It has fitness, nutrition, and lifestyle for firefighters. It even has cancer fighting nutrition.

[@NKdidit.24]

Yeah, the 300 lbs cops

[@johnlebzelter4208]

@@NKdidit.24 ok lets tell all 911 centers across the world to never answer a call when you need the police. Coward

[@chinookh4713]

Yes but I think it jsut lies in the increased stresses you put on your body

[@MondoBeno]

He's right about the fitness. I used to have to have to carry 70 pound loads up and down stairs all day long when I was a roofer. I ran every morning, and gave up all processed foods and salt, otherwise I couldn't have done it. I had to be strong, lean, and fit at the same time.

[@yar3007]

Salt is actually pretty important

[@davidmack4495]

brings back memories...strong work, brothers...

[@crossfireradio8565]

I'm a Japanese firefighter. I am currently studying English to study firefighter training in the United States.

[@thelearnedgoat]

Funny, one of my recruits was from Japan. He completed his FF training and then went back to Japan to pursue his career as a firefighter.

[@veramae4098]

Hello! Many respects to you!

[@merlinsandra4405]

May God provide intellectual, physical and spiritual power and strength to the fire fighter department team-the fire fighter officers, vehicle maintenance group, call center team n overall team. May God empower and bless you all and ur family for the noble work of saving lives while risking one's life and forest fire safety through fire helicopters. Salute to every firefighter!! Amen!!......

[@julioantonionoronalamas08]

Amen

[@sandglobe11]

I'm very young (not even a teenager!) and I really wanna be a firefighter:D It pays really well and I think it will be fun cuz u get to workout a lot and help people :D

[@mentalwarfare9040]

Listen kid it sounds great but the pay sucks. As someone who started off as a firefighter, I couldn't afford my bills so I had to get another job asap

[@Patrick12434]

Normally you've 2 to 3 jobs

[@hunteravent9973]

If you want to be a firefighter, whenever you are eligible to work, work for a contractor or landscaper or painter anything just learn a good trade so when you do become a firefighter that will be your part time job not your trade

[@josegongora2355]

Great video, thanks for sharing as we look to climb 82 flights.

[@TheUNDRGND]

You guys just gave me an idea, I'm going to do it tomorrow...

[@100firehallworkouts]

"Amazing dedication from the NYFD! 🔥 The ability to suffer is greater in a group of good firefighters. The intensity and discipline of these workouts truly reflect the courage and strength needed in the line of duty. Stay safe and keep pushing those limits! 💪🚒 #ExtinguishingExcuses #FirefighterStrong"

[@War_Legion]

Very creative workout

[@imperiumathletics2242]

Keep doing big things, Pip!

[@jabroniandcheese9194]

Awesome video ! I am considering a Firefighter career and this is excellent information ! If there are any Firefighters in the comments, thank you for your service! Any advice you could give me would be greatly appreciated!

[@HAPPYFAMILYAGAIN]

That's is a cool video about firefighter #firefighters and #fireman and #fireengine.. I watched your video till the end . I added to my playlist and subscribed to your channel.. I am looking forward to see your next videos..

[@garystillii882]

Love it

[@hildos-ride382]

The Best

[@niabattiste6425]

May God bless you all.💕💕💕💕

[@richbum3725]

I have worked out with crash fire rescue (Marine Fire fighters) and their work outs are intense but they pay off.

[@skinpeeler6667]

I'm pretty strong for my age and I'm trying to be a firefighter

[@pockiedreamstar2583]

SkinPeeler666 good luck 👌

[@danielrodas1144]

SkinPeeler666 same i want to be a firefighter THEY are heros

[@rowan8379]

They spend 100% of the time serving the community.

[@Rangerfan-gz1rx]

steve b incorrect, they are constantly busy, running medical calls, vehicle accident, fires, other random rescues, cleaning and maintaining the fire station, fire trucks and all the equipment, the have to buy groceries every shift, then go back to the station and cook their meals, they have reports that they have to type after every call, they do station tours and visit schools, they are required to workout every shift. Anyone who says firefighters aren't busy has no clue what they are talking about.

[@jaredhale6671]

hey bud im a volunteer firemen in the state of NY. Grand Island Fire Co. Glad to see others pursuing the profession. Keep working at the physical fitness, mobility, flexibility, and endurance. It's a lot more than physical a lot of it's mental between the scenes you're exposed to and the high stress situations you face, it's a lot of work but it's the best job in the world. Keep focused keep tough and keep on keepin on.

[@chazbrewer4704]

Shout out to my manz in the back @0:24 jumping on the back of that apparatus with no effort!💪💯

[@thecaffeinefiend]

Nice piece.

[@aegeusmax3646]

Bear crawls in full gear while dragging a high rise pack or dummy.

[@JohnDoe-yq5bd]

At our station once a month we switch it up and play dodgeball in the apparatus bay in full gear with bottles on to help control breathing

[@chris_breezy4961]

Great idea, something like that should be done off duty since we shouldn’t be killing ourselves during shift. I’d definitely want to try this though

[@pureChem1calz]

The army do something similar. Theres all kinds of ways to get someone out of a bad situation

[@chinookh4713]

@@JohnDoe-yq5bd Thats sounds like fun

[@andrade911]

Nice!!! #SuperFire

[@gooddaymate1171]

I have witnessed A LOT of over weight fire fighters. How do they perform at their job like that?

[@cchotrods]

The same way Dusty Rhodes performed as a wrestler

[@justinmurphy1883]

Lol

[@justinmurphy1883]

Same guy that complains yer at the grocery store during tax payer money....

[@WOHBuckeye]

My dad was considered overweight, But he was 235. And carrying a 90 pound pack, jacket, pants, and gear and carrying another person or two was no big deal to him. He could do it all day long

[@emzi_5275]

body size does not necessarily equate to strength. I've seen larger people run or swim or lift for days, and skinnier and even more muscular guys getting completely winded after a 20min workout

[@280StJohnsPl]

Some good ideas here ! You can also climb the poles, do pullups off the aerial ladder , skip rope.....you are only limited by your imagination Stay safe :)

[@hrmfire1]

very cool video

[@abelgraciano6574]

dudyduduxuxududuxudhejuxyr352÷/34

[@joshuamichael8376]

Duane Dodge q

[@marcusbrown7817]

Wow

[@lingyi012]

Fire fighters are awesome!!! :)

[@genegeneish]

I did this unknowingly everyday carrying a lot of weight up and down steps, and got in great shape. But I ruined my hips and back.

[@h.k.g.3545]

Hello, I want to improve my fitness because I will be a firefighter. What are the training tips for me as a firefighter? How many weights do you use in your training and what are the standards approved by you? Thank you.

[@CJsangster7739]

Was that the Dragonball theme in the beginning?

[@comptegoogle511]

At the age of 21 years old I've climbed mount Witney in California from 3700 feet to 11000 feet in one day with 65 pounds of equipment so that's about 710 stories high or if you prefer a 23 miles climb with a slope from 9% to 12%. Now I need to realize that my prime is behind me and I'm staking 30 years of extreme sports injuries so I can run the 5000 m in about 30 minutes for a heart rate at rest of 46 bpm at 46 years old. I'm wondering why there's no fitness test, medical exam, and drug test every six months to prevent heart attacks or drugs or alcohol-related accidents.

[@Mistybrooks84]

Cardio........ vascular.. woqo

[@clarencetrotter8085]

some people such as firefighters don't realize how blessed they are to be in most to perfect physical shape. a sickness can take most of your strength away and it can take months to get it back and that's not your maximum level.

[@hildos-ride382]

1:00 - 1:15 music ?

[@brandonkelly8383]

Freightliner M2/Pierce Rescue American LaFrance Eagle Mid-Mount Tower Ladder Spartan Gladiator Pumper Seagrave Maruader Pumper

[@martinhg1977]

I'm 41, but healthy and in pretty good shape. Is it too late to become a firefighter? basically want to be a Paramedic/EMT

[@brandonjoseph1106]

Yeah, it's in between 18 through 29

[@isaacsanchez2124]

Yes it’s too late

[@chinookh4713]

Paid yes but volunteer no check your local department, my department had a guy around that age join recently.

[@victorcampa5397]

Did he say 32 gallon foam pails? Never seen those before.

[@youngrobert9995]

Whoops!!! 😯 I think he meant there are thirty-two, 5 gallon foam pails per pallet. Water (viscosity) weighs about 8.3 lbs per gallon. So a 5-hallon pail full would weigh 41.5 lbs. Yeah... that makes sense! Carrying a 32 gallon pail (almost 3/5ths the size of a 50 gallon drum) would weigh 265.6 lbs. That doesn't make sense. Still doing carries with 5-gallon pails full of a liquid is a good carry workout.

[@Bwithme357]

Definitely not 32 gallons 😂

[@mzuneak]

How on earth do you become a firefighter? Specifically in the state of California, Los Angeles county. I've googled it and I get nothing.

[@akbarbukhari]

ns.

[@errhka]

First I believe you have to take Fire Science Classes (and there are others but I can't remember them). You must obtain a GED or high school diploma. Then, I believe you apply for the academy. If you pass the academy, then there's more qualifications I think. If you do get hired by a department, then you go on probation for a year to become a firefighter. There's more but that's just a general outline of it. I suggest calling the department or going on their website and asking them. Also, if you are young enough (15-21), you might be able to become a member of a local department explorer program, which helps you to become familiar with the equipment/lifestyle/etc. I am an explorer for a department in Orange County and it is one of the best things I've ever done.

[@diegomex4606]

Get your EMT-basic at your local community college. Then go to national testing network dot com. Look for fire fighter jobs. You can also take fire protection technology courses and get your associates degree but most departments don't require that for entry level firefighter . Good luck to you!

[@nickdrex124]

If you show up at the firehouse for the area you live in you can ask around for recruitment papers or talk to someone in charge of appointing or recruiting people

[@diegomex4606]

That might be helpful. Sign up for a ride along and browse that departments website looking for information. Firefighters more often than not will help with information since they are paid by taxpayers and at one point they were in the same position as you.

[@EMT8654]

how long do you spend at the each station

[@AmericanHandgunner44]

Full time firefighters do 24 hour shifts, then get 48 hours off. Every department is different though.

[@StevenIuele98]

Nathan Mueller he meant for the workout

[@nvpguitar4591]

Nathan Mueller yes, recently my department switched to working for 2 days and then getting 4 days off. Everywhere does it different though

[@firefighterjacob6813]

Your the best I want to be a firefighter

[@veramae4098]

I would've hard a heart attack at 2:37 !

[@aegeusmax3646]

32 gallon pails?

[@Msmedic424]

Aegeus Max there was most likely foam in those .

[@oregonnich]

he meant pounds.

[@nicaln5104]

Aegeus Max My house does 70-100Ib extension ladders. My shoulder is equivalent to the Mariana Trench.

[@fernyflores7374]

I don't know anything about workout routines...but those jumps and stair runs, look terrible for your knees..but idk, I could be wrong, how do you keep your knees from getting hurt.

[@DiamorphineDeath]

My first thought on the box jumps is exactly that. Step ups or throwing a pack on and doing them weighted mimics the job, I’m aware of where at in their job one would need to be doing plyometric jumps, especially in turnout gear repeatedly. That’s the “functional fitness” craze foremost, not necessarily specific to “firefighting.” But then again, playing madden all day and eating and sleeping aren’t necessarily conducive to fitness either.

[@rosierose1917]

But you're not allowed to run during the test

[@Isa-wz5qm]

What is the cause of the heart attacks? unhealthy firefighters or long exposure to heat? Here in the UK it's because of the heat

[@oregonnich]

Depending on location in USA, it's due to overall fitness and diet but firefighting in general no matter location is stress with physical and day and night hours as well as exposure to smoke/heat, toxic environments. Even though there is SCBA systems, equipment and work environment after incident still puts of off gas that can lead to chronic problems.

[@MrGrandTheftAuto6]

I looked it was age they were all fire chiefs who were about 60,70 years old

[@MrGrandTheftAuto6]

I looked it was age they were all fire chiefs who were about 60,70 years old

[@MrGrandTheftAuto6]

I looked it was age they were all fire chiefs who were about 60,70 years old

[@MrGrandTheftAuto6]

I looked it was age they were all fire chiefs who were about 60,70 years old

[@captzoom1778]

Cool video but those pails are not 32 gallons They were Five to seven gallons a piece at the most

[@IPAWS2018]

Probably wnough foam for 32 gallons of water. Foam typically gets mixed with water before going out the hose

[@djevlhelvete]

Yeah. I came to the comments for the same reason. Those are not 32 gallons, no way a bucket like that can hold about 260 pounds (~ 8 pounds a gallon). Tops...I'd say 5-7 gallons too.

[@niabattiste6425]

Man it must be a special place in God's kingdom for rescue workers.

[@akeemwalters7404]

He look like steevo

[@chocolatcats]

I may be wrong but I think they work their hearts TOO MUCH .....oh well..their adorable.

[@justtony21]

thats why we have such a great schedule to rest and recover!!

[@JJHart-954]

Can’t believe anything the New York Slime has to say

[@audreyzondo9070]

I only get scared when noises are really loud and they happen when I'm not expecting them but I don't usually feel terrified unless its someone I know and love, all the other times its an easy thing to get off my mind. Unless your doing something weird as you die I'll just look away but still help. In order to accept things that happen, you have to understand that the world is filled with weird things and I believe in god and all miracles.

[@JuanGarcia-fi8ud]

Remember to warm up first

[@arnoldles858]

Easy

[@wandaraywolff7298]

I want to be a firefighter.. I don't have muscles...

[@benster1993ben]

Start working then. You can do it if you really want to, but just remember that other peoples lives depend on your ability to do your job.

[@280StJohnsPl]

Get tough honey :)

[@williamc1646]

I thought fire fighters just rescued cats from trees

[@Neilram2001]

Defter Dart you should try reading sometime.

[@dark3rthanshadows]

yes and superman fight the "fires" rescue people from broken buildings. and accompanies the polica is most major catastropphes/ life and death situations

[@nicaln5104]

Defter Dart Same, but after my academy there were no cats :(. Rather I had fall-victims and old rich people fire alarms. My first time forcing a door was to turn of an alarm.

[@isaacsanchez2124]

Fill out an application and try it yourself

[@NaidaSativa]

I want to be a firefighter

[@ph11p3540]

Thier mental constitution must be stronger than their physical constitution because they will witness so much gory horror. Most people will just throw up and keel over the stuff they deal with is that nasty.

[@tdouglas9618]

The best love it you guys aren’t races

[@Muddybagclean]

Jesus Loves You

[@jvonny1366]

Why aren't they watching Game of Thrones?

[@tomandgarfilm417]

Dragon ball z

[@nenriu]

touch ur food ..? act ur age ? ...

who cares

[@kiruu9746]

orrrr… just pick up a weight…