To become a paratrooper do I need to do a certain amount of press ups and if so what’s the best way of achieving that?

Hi Harry,

Thank you for your question.

The Army’s fitness tests have changed and we no longer test on press ups. The current entry requirements for a Paratrooper are as follows:

Mid Thigh Pull 76kg
Medicine Ball Throw 3.1m
2km run 8m 15s
MSFT (beep test) level 11.06

After your Phase 1 (basic) and 2 (Infantry) training you will commence P Company. Whilst there isn’t a particular number of press ups that you are required to do, P Company will test your all round fitness and endurance so it’s almost certain that press ups will be involved in some training sessions.

Have a look at the Army Fitness App which will really help to focus your training before you join.

Good luck, and if you want to know anything more please come back to us.

Katie

Hi Harry

As Katie said you will be required to do lots of press ups as well as a number of other exercises in Parachute Regiment Depot. The main thing that we suggest that you work on in preparation for Depot is your cardio. We also suggest that you work on lower body (legs) for injury prevention.

At PRAC (Parachute Regiment Assessment Centre) you will have an in depth lectre from our staff on how best to prepare yourself for Depot.

Best of luck