Wager Mage
Photo by Christian Diokno Pexels Logo Photo: Christian Diokno

How many pushups does it take to pass the police test?

Improving Body Strength though Push-Ups The HPD test requires 25 continuous pushups. In order for a push-up to count during the test, the candidate must use proper form and the chest must briefly touch the floor.

What is a ghost in slang?
What is a ghost in slang?

Ghosting is a relatively new colloquial dating term that refers to abruptly cutting off contact with someone without giving that person any warning...

Read More »
Does Telegram track you?
Does Telegram track you?

Telegram logs IP address and metadata According to their Privacy Policy, they, may collect metadata such as your IP address, devices and Telegram...

Read More »

By Matthew Loux, Faculty Member, Criminal Justice at American Military University

Making it through the police academy is a must if you want to become a police officer. But while the academic components are certainly rigorous, many recruits find the physical fitness requirements to be especially challenging. To pass the police academy fitness test, individuals need to prepare, both mentally and physically. While each police department runs its own version of the physical test, all tests are designed to test endurance, body strength and agility, as well as the mental determination of each candidate. One of the most significant challenges during the physical fitness test is to successfully complete a timed 1.5 mile run in 15:54 minutes or less. (Photo/In Public Safety) As an example of what candidates can expect to face, I have used the requirements from the Houston Police Department’s (HPD) physical fitness test. Many departments use the same or similar requirements, but it is recommended you verify the fitness requirements as some agencies differentiate the test instruments as well as requirements for gender and age. Below are some tips to help aspiring officers not only pass the fitness test, but exceed expectations. [Download a copy of these tips to have with you while you put together a training plan.]

Running Segment of the Police Academy Test

One of the most significant challenges during the physical fitness test is to successfully complete a timed 1.5 mile run in 15:54 minutes or less. For men finishing in 10:30 to 12 minutes, that score is about average. To excel in this element of the test, candidates should aim for a time of 9:44 or faster, in order to be placed among the top candidates. For women, an average to good time is around 13:30 to 16 minutes. A time under 12:30 minutes will typically put a candidate at the top of the class. The Houston Police Department has the same requirements for both men and women, but some departments do differentiate the scoring for tests based on gender. I recommend that you check out your prospective department’s fit test requirements.

Recommended Running Regimen

To reach these goals, individuals must train well in advance of the test. Start with a short distance and work up to running more than 1.5 miles. By increasing distance, the cardiovascular system becomes stronger and candidates are able to run farther and faster without tiring. I also find that wearing an elevation training mask helps me when I am training. The mask strengthens the diaphragm and allows more forceful breathing, which increases lung capacity. The purpose of the training mask is to increase your lung capacity by forcing you to take deep breaths to increase blood and oxygen flow. Similarly, wearing a weighted training vest during practice runs also helps increase stamina. The added weight helps to increase resistance in cardiovascular activities, causing you to use more energy in your workouts. Adding more weight to the vest each week builds leg strength. Removing the vest induces a feeling of lightness and increases running speed. I normally run sprints with the vest and alternate sprints with and then without the weighted vest.

What does a +3 point spread mean?
What does a +3 point spread mean?

If you want to bet the Colts on the spread, it would mean the Colts need to win by at least three points for you to win the bet. If the Colts win...

Read More »
What does a 3 to 1 bet mean?
What does a 3 to 1 bet mean?

What does 3 to 1 odds mean? 3-1 Betting Odds means that out of 4 possible outcomes, the 3/1 odds are that there will be 3 of one kind of outcome...

Read More »

Wearing a training vest is especially advantageous for aspiring officers. It mimics the feel of wearing a bulletproof vest and simulates the weight of wearing a duty belt. The test also requires completing a 300-meter sprint in at least 78 seconds. This is also why it’s important to build interval and sprint runs into your running regimen. I prefer to do interval sprints focusing on posture, small strides and breathing.

Improving Body Strength though Push-Ups

Push-ups are another part of the police fitness test. The HPD test requires 25 continuous pushups. In order for a push-up to count during the test, the candidate must use proper form and the chest must briefly touch the floor. To foster proper form for push-ups, arms should be held close to the body and core stomach muscles should be tightened. There are many different types of push-ups that increase arm and chest strength: • Incline push-ups – performed by placing your hands on a stable platform higher than the ground. Start with leaning on a wall, bed, or sturdy table and work your way down to a surface about 6 inches off the ground. Wide inclined push-ups – performed by holding the hands in a wider position than shoulder width.

Weighted push-ups – performed by wearing a weighted vest.

Wide push-ups – performed by placing the hands outside shoulder width during each push-up. Diamond push-ups – performed by placing the hands on the floor to form a diamond between the index fingers and thumbs during each push-up. All of these push-up exercises strengthen the upper and lower body, especially the chest area. They also strengthen core muscles. Candidates should start by doing 100 push-ups a day. I recommend that you start with finding the maximum number of push-ups you can do at one time. Over time, start to increase the number each day until you can do 25-30 push-ups at one time and repeat the exercise over time until you have accomplished 100 push-ups a day. Over time, the number of push-ups can be increased as the body adapts and becomes less fatigued. With training, it will become easier to complete the 25 of push-ups for the academy test.

Training for Sit-Ups

Sit-ups are the final portion of many police academy tests, which measure abdominal muscle strength and endurance. The test calls for as many sit-ups as possible in one minute. The actual number varies by department as the Dallas Police Department only requires 14 sit-ups in a minute. In the San Antonio Police Department, for example, the requirement depends on your age and gender. San Antonio scores applicants on a point basis for sit-ups, push-ups, vertical jump, 1.5 mile run and the 300-meter sprint with a minimum passing score of 190. HPD does not have sit-ups as a requirement, but training for sit-ups applies to more than one police department.

Is it better to hit or stay on 16 in blackjack?
Is it better to hit or stay on 16 in blackjack?

If you hit the 16, you will win 25.23 percent of the time, bust out 69.31 percent of the time and push 5.46 percent of the time for a net loss of...

Read More »
Is PUBG an AI?
Is PUBG an AI?

PUBG intends to leverage various technologies, including text-to-speech, speech-to-text, voice-to-face, and artificial intelligence. Krafton, the...

Read More »

The test is performed by interlacing the fingers with hands behind the head, then bringing the torso upward from a lying position to a sitting position. For a sit-up to count, the elbows must touch the knees in the upright position and the back must touch the floor in the reclining position. Strengthening the abdominal muscles over time is essential for improving sit-up technique and increasing the number of sit-ups. The strength of abdominal muscles can be improved through exercises focusing on the stomach or by including core stability work, such as reverse crunches, planks and Russian twists.

Other Academy Test Requirements

The Houston Police Department exam includes some additional tests such as making a vertical jump of 16.5 inches over your original height. To prepare for the vertical jump test and build elastic energy (which is the compression and stretching of the muscles), practice jump exercises such as:

Jumping on and off a box

Jump squats for explosive movements

Hip flexor stretches

Deadlifts

Bulgarian bench split squats

Finally, the test involves pulling the trigger of a firearm with both hands. The trigger pull is considered one of the easier aspects of the test. To improve hand strength, use a handgrip device, squeeze a ball, or hold a dumbbell in each hand. In policy academy physical fitness tests, all performance standards must be met to pass the test; there are no exceptions. The key is to start training early for each part of the test. If it is hard to meet the requirement for one or more parts of the test, tailor workouts to gradually increase in difficulty until you can meet and exceed standards. Success at the police academy requires working out and eating a healthy diet to improve your overall physical fitness. About the Author: Matthew Loux has been in law enforcement for more than 20 years and has a background in fraud and criminal investigation, as well as hospital, school and network security. Matt has researched and studied law enforcement and security best practices for the past 10 years. To contact him, email IPSauthor@apus.edu. For more articles featuring insight from industry experts, subscribe to In Public Safety’s bi-monthly newsletter.

What is the most unbeatable hand in poker?
What is the most unbeatable hand in poker?

Royal flush The royal flush Royal flush The royal flush sits atop the poker-hand rankings as the best hand possible. It features five consecutive...

Read More »
How do I bet and win every time?
How do I bet and win every time?

Promoted Stories The favourite doesn't always win. ... Don't just stick to one bookmaker – shop around. ... The fewer selections, the better. ......

Read More »
When should you not invest in bitcoins?
When should you not invest in bitcoins?

Reasons why not to invest in bitcoins: Unregulated. Bitcoin is not regulated by any authority or regulatory organization. ... Volatile: ... Not a...

Read More »
Why do they call cops 50?
Why do they call cops 50?

It means "police." It is a slang term derived from the title of a popular TV series which began in 1968 entitled "Hawaii Five-O." The TV series was...

Read More »