Life in the armed forces requires a certain level of fitness. It’s a robust life and if you’re unfit aches, pains and injuries start to get the better of you. Once you’ve left the forces there’s a freedom of choice; relax into middle aged spread and couch-potatoism or dig out your trainers and keep yourself trim.

The health reasons are many and various. The suggested exercise for a person over 18 years old is 30 minutes every day or a least a brisk walk. It keeps weight under control and improves your general well being (especially in the major organs and joints) and also helps you to increase immunity from coughs and colds and the other minor ailments that you might come across.

Less well known is the fact that regular exercise will almost certainly put you in a better mood since it helps to release the ‘happy hormone’ endorphin. It can also increase energy and brain activity. So where do you start?

Walking and cycling to work have become fairly popular to the extent where most big towns and cities will have designated cycle lanes and waiting boxes at lights. This generally gives you a fighting chance of surviving busier commuter avenues and roundabouts – since it still seems to be the cyclist’s lot to be squashed without mercy into the curb. It’s also the green option and the pleasure you’ll gain when you zip past stationary cars queuing at a junction is hard to put into words.

Childs Play

Exercise can be built into other parts of your life. Taking the kids down to the park can be pretty vigorous, especially if there’s a local authority football pitch or maybe even basketball or tennis courts to use. OK, so you won’t become the next Swarzeneger but it’s a laugh.

Exercise is going to leave a lot of ex-service people cold, and why wouldn’t it after years of keeping to a tough regime. One way around this is to look at exercise from a different angle. Joining a football team or a rugby club could be just the ticket. It’ll also help release the pent up aggression of the working week as well as give you a whole new set of mates to boot.

Doctors Orders

Even though you may have been in trim for years it’s well worth making an appointment with your GP to get an idea of your state of health. This is a move that will highlight any underlying problems such as cardio or back problems and will help to guide you towards the exercise regime that’s right for you.

Gyms and health clubs have never been more popular. Perhaps it’s best to separate work from home and home from exercise. Whatever method you choose, there are plenty of choices to be made. Gyms come in many forms, from the ‘lock up’ behind the warehouses right through to the more comfortable high street chains that we’re all familiar with. Prices for gyms with pools, spa pools, lido, tennis court and squash courts are likely to cost a lot more so choose accordingly with what you actually want achieve and have time and motivation to use.

The gym can be a really good place to relax. I’m talking about endorphins again but it’s also a place that you can get a massage, sauna or a dip in the Jacuzzi. Actually, this is more likely to be a health club. A health club, as far as I can make out is a gym where you can get totally knackered and then enjoy the more sensual perks as a kind of reward for your efforts. In any case, most gyms and health clubs will have a trial period before you commit to joining properly.

There is a third option for those that have remained serious about keeping up or improving their fitness levels. Personal trainers are a far more tailored approach to your fitness. Meeting with them before-hand will give them an opportunity to size you up and think up activities and levels of heat’ that they can sensibly put you through. If you’re looking for a friend, don’t hire a personal trainer. If they turn into a friend; sack your personal trainer. The trainer needs to hold the authority and push you further and further with each session. If the relationship gets ‘all cuddly’; so will you. Select a personal trainer that ‘lives it’ and turns up fit, on time and ready to go. If he doesn’t have standards, he’s not going to be much use in motivating you.  It also helps if you live fairly close together because you should be seeing each other on a pretty regular basis.

Just like old times

British Military Fitness is a new phenomenon that dove tails into other fitness trends such as Ironman contests and triathlons without the complications of dragging around trainers, swimming kit and bicycle. It’s a workout led by an instructor with a military background (and the relevant military or personal training fitness qualifications). All of the sessions are done outdoors and last for an hour and apparently will cater to three main ability levels; blue, red and green. The general idea is that the trainer will motivate and encourage you ‘military-style’ whilst having a bit of fun too. You’ll be asked to fill in an online questionnaire and attend a free trial class where you’ll see that the group environment is fostered just as it is in the services.

The British Military Fitness website carries a slightly chilling warning: “However, be under no illusion, we will make you work to the best of your ability, and the classes will be different and challenging every time”.

The good news is that there’s no age limit to good health; the oldest BMF member in the UK is a forever young 67 year old.

Kevin Lomas a BMF instructor says “Because of the nature of our instructors they are a little bit more mature. I think the average age of a civvy gym instructor is about 19; they can’t even tie their own shoelaces let alone motivate people. It takes a certain type of person that’s more mature; the sense of humour and banter with the members goes down well. We’re much more carrot than stick. The image of the 1950’s sergeant major three inches away from you giving you a spit wash is something that’s now only in the mind of film directors. It’s very positive, very enjoyable stuff but we do make it challenging.”

Kevin puts forward three basic tips:

Top tips.

1.Find an activity that you enjoy – that’s why a lot of people come to our classes.

2. Goal setting is the most important thing whatever you’re trying to do. It might be going for a run twice a week or it might be to lose three stones or maybe to train for a 10K run. You need to set yourself achievable goals.

3. Don’t do too much too quickly.

And… “We’re always looking to recruit more instructors from any of the services. Applicants don’t have to have a fitness qualification. We can get people qualified if they want to get into the fitness industry. There’s a lot of nervousness when people leave the forces. Working with a company like BMF helps by retaining some of that banter and the camaraderie.

Further information: www.britmilfit.com

Too much

Finally a word of warning; what do you get if you run over 200 marathons and enter over 300 professional cycle races? Be warned too much exercise can turn you into a gold tracksuit wearing freak like Jimmy Savile.