Training is an important component of EMS success. It takes dedication every day to become the best physical version of yourself and in turn, the best EMT you can be.
There are many opportunities for endurance 鈥� you鈥檝e probably heard of obstacle events, which have been growing in popularity over the years. They are a terrific way to train and are designed to build team relationships, perfect training techniques and grow personal confidence. These events focus on fundamentals over winning a prize for completion. In our opinion, these are the best obstacle races you can explore for all-around optimal training.
1. Spartan Race
There are with the Spartan: the Sprint, the Super and the Beast. The Sprint is about 3 miles with more than 20 obstacles to traverse. It鈥檚 the shortest race Spartan offers and best suited for beginners. The Super spans over 8 miles with 25 obstacles. The Beast is the longest of the three. It spans over 12 miles with 30 obstacles.
If these options aren鈥檛 enough for you, Spartan also offers endurance races, including the Ultra Beast, which is more than 26 miles in length and boasts more than 60 obstacles.
If you鈥檙e looking for a training regimen before signing up, Spartan offers for you to consider.
2. Zombie Mud Run
This diversifies from the others with a unique angle. You鈥檒l complete traditional Army boot camp-like obstacles like wall climbing and also face interesting obstacles like zombies, all in the mud. You can sign up to participate as a human or as a zombie. The human team carries three flags, which represent vital organs 鈥� brains, heart and entrails. Team Zombie sets out so steal your flags (your vital organs) while you complete the other obstacles.
3. Warrior Dash
The Warrior Dash is exceptionally proud of the obstacles they鈥檝e fine-tuned for their course (a 5k). They currently feature 12 obstacles like the Fisherman鈥檚 Catch, where upper body strength and core stability will help you cross a net without becoming bait, or Goliath, where you鈥檒l climb to the crest of a 30-foot-high slide and descend into water. You can see a on their website.
4. GORUCK Challenge
This event has wonderful roots, which is why we鈥檝e selected it for this list. was initially developed by Jason McCarthy to:
- Serve as a voice for good.
- Employ more veterans of Special Operations than any organization outside the U.S. military.
- Build a bridge between the military and civilians.
The original event is a 10-12 hour and 15-20 mile event based on Special Forces training. You鈥檒l even learn from a Special Forces Cadre while participating.
5. Civilian Military Combine (CMC)
This is different from the rest because of the cross-training warmup in 鈥淭he PIT鈥� at the beginning of the event. The PIT entails a five-minute AMRAP (as many reps as possible) workout of the day. We should also mention that one of the obstacles at CMC, the , was featured on American Ninja Warrior. The CMC doesn鈥檛 mess around.
What鈥檚 the last fitness event you participated in? Would you recommend it? Share your preferred method of training in the comments below.
