Top 5 best sports for military and law enforcement personnel

Eager to join the Army or law enforcement? Discover our selection of the best sports for military personnel, gendarmes and police officers.

Summary:

• CrossFit

• Krav Maga

• Running

• Muay Thai

• Swimming

What is CrossFit?

Originally from the United States, CrossFit appeared in France in the early 2010s and quickly gained popularity. CrossFit is an excellent sport for general physical preparation. Very comprehensive, CrossFit draws inspiration from many sports from which it keeps only the best: gymnastics, weightlifting, athletics, fitness, etc.

Of variable duration, the WODs for "Workout Of the Day" offer each day a different sequence of functional movements that should be performed at high intensity.

What are the advantages of CrossFit for military personnel and law enforcement?

CrossFit allows working on many qualities required for military personnel and law enforcement: strength, endurance, balance, flexibility, coordination and speed. CrossFit is a "generalist" sport that allows working all muscle groups, which makes it particularly useful for all military personnel, gendarmes and police officers and even special forces.

No CrossFit box near you? Discover our selection of the best bodyweight compound exercises to perform at home.

Krav Maga, which means "close combat", is a self-defense sport very useful for military personnel, gendarmes and police officers. Just like combat sports, Krav Maga works both the physical and technical and mental aspects. The practitioner will learn, over the years, several incapacitating or lethal techniques that they can then use in the field during unarmed combat. Krav Maga notably allows managing atypical situations like a surprise attack or an encirclement. Moreover, training allows developing several qualities essential to military personnel: speed, precision, self-control, improved reflexes, etc.

Interested in this self-defense method? Discover our very comprehensive article on Krav Maga written by Sébastien Carlat from the Krav Maga Aurillac 15 club.

Running constitutes one of the foundations of military preparation and physical fitness maintenance. Whether for the Army, Navy, Air and Space Force or the National Gendarmerie, there is little chance you will escape running! To pass the famous CCPM (Military Physical Condition Control) and its General Physical Condition Control (CCPG) module, it is essential to train regularly in running.

Want to train for running? Discover on our blog our 5 tips to run 3 km in less than 15 minutes.

Classified among the boxing styles called "hands and feet", Muay Thai is a traditional Thai martial art. Like the other sports in this top list, Thai boxing is a complete sport that makes the athlete work both physically and mentally. Used by the Thai army, Muay Thai is an ideal sport for military personnel and law enforcement, especially for those who wish to join an elite unit. Like any combat sport, Thai boxing will allow you to develop many essential qualities: discipline, courage, respect, endurance, coordination, perseverance, self-confidence, modesty, etc. The practice of this sport promotes a healthy lifestyle and the maintenance of optimal body weight; all assets that make Muay Thai an ideal candidate for military personnel, police officers and gendarmes looking for a new sport to practice in civilian life.

Just like running, swimming is a sport that allows you to work the aerobic system, in other words endurance. As a supported sport, swimming is a complete sport that allows you to work all the muscles of the body without generating impacts and which consequently reduces the risk of injury. It is useful to all military personnel and law enforcement officers. Knowing how to swim is moreover essential if you wish to join the Army or the Gendarmerie. Indeed, aquatic proficiency is part, along with cardio-respiratory endurance and general muscular capacity, of the fundamental skills required during the General Physical Condition Control (CCPG), a module of the Military Physical Condition Control (CCPM).

Finally, certain specialties will require even more skills in this discipline. This is the case for example of Gendarmerie divers, GIGN, marine commandos, or the Foreign Legion.