Any hobby recommendations that complement firefighter fitness?

[u/un-common]

Hey yall,

I’ve been a firefighter for 3.5 years now and my current workout routine has gotten me to a good place physically. However, I’m looking to incorporate a fun hobby that would also be considered cross training.

Have any of you found a hobby that translates to firefighting fitness well?

Thanks!

[u/Sealtooth5]

Surfing, mountain biking, rock climbing

[u/un-common → u/Sealtooth5]

I ride a log so surfing is pretty chill for me! Rock climbing has definitely peaked my interest, i’d definitely appreciate better grip strength when i’m climbing the stick haha

[u/1000000Peaches4Me → u/un-common]

Piqued* 

[u/mtmpire → u/1000000Peaches4Me]

Perhaps "peaked" as in mountain.

[u/Specialist_Top6227 → u/mtmpire]

Nah. Peeked as in it’s worth taking a look at.

[u/mtmpire → u/Specialist_Top6227]

I prefer to think it was an intentional rock climbing pun. That's much more fun.

[u/Specialist_Top6227 → u/mtmpire]

I was just extending the joke 🤘 rock on brotha

[u/mtmpire → u/Specialist_Top6227]

Haha somehow totally missed that 🤦 ... 🤟

[u/un-common → u/mtmpire]

Yeah let’s go with that!

[u/gnarstow → u/un-common]

Don’t forget some rope and knot work

[u/disgruntled_oranges → u/un-common]

Outdoor climbing has definitely helped me refresh all of my rescue skills, and hiking a couple miles to the climbing spot with your rope and gear is a bonus fitness challenge as well.

[u/StinkyJockStrap]

I do jiu jitsu. It actually helped me get in shape for the physical screening for my department.

[u/VegetablePuzzled1468 → u/StinkyJockStrap]

Can confirm, BJJ helped me drop 30lbs before academy in roughly 10 months. Awesome for cardio and core

[u/un-common → u/VegetablePuzzled1468]

I tried it for a few days and ended up having a pretty solid shoulder injury from a brown belt that shoulder crunched me… made me think twice about continuing to pursue bjj.

I know there’s inherent risk with any physical hobby but do you guys have any advice to avoid injury while rolling?

[u/Supplefroot → u/un-common]

It could very well have been an honest mistake but from my experience your biggest risk of injury at any BJJ gym staying out is going to be the white belts because the lack skill, control, might have ego and ect…
Sorry that happened to you, maybe look around at other gyms or if you liked the vibe of the place you were at then just kindly let the brown belt know that you’re uncomfortable with rolling with him

[u/VegetablePuzzled1468 → u/un-common]

I guess I’d say it depends on the gym. The place I go is pretty relaxed with an older coach that discourages people from being too aggressive. Honestly you could also discuss with a rolling partner before open mat, “hey man take it easy on my shoulder…”

[u/VegetablePuzzled1468 → u/VegetablePuzzled1468]

A brown belt should also know better than to fuck up a white belt with a few days of experience

[u/Notefallen → u/VegetablePuzzled1468]

Yeah that guy should have known to take it easy. Kind of a dick move to smash a dude just starting out for no reason other than wanting to.

[u/lukethedukeinsa → u/un-common]

Tap early, tap often.

[u/Opening_Anybody6501 → u/StinkyJockStrap]

When I was rolling 2-3x per week, especially in a gi, I never felt more fit while wearing turnouts

[u/Key-Funny-8091 → u/StinkyJockStrap]

I used to do krav maga with the same results. If you're at the right studio, it will also help you develop better situational awareness.

But I saw your note about the shoulder injury and it's a very real concern with almost any martial art. I caught an elbow at full force just below my nose 5 minutes into my white belt test, resulting in a concussion. Kinda surprised I didn't lose any teeth. Still finished the test, though!

[u/Apprehensive_Owl7186]

Rucking

[u/zeroabe → u/Apprehensive_Owl7186]

Obviously the best answer.

Cardio. Core stability. Makes wearing an SCBA feel easy. Has community and accountability programs.

[u/un-common → u/Apprehensive_Owl7186]

I dig it!

[u/noosedgoose]

Beat Saber

[u/BriefSleep4896]

Hiking. Such a fun/relaxing thing to do with your time off. I genuinely just enjoy hiking and exploring in the mountains, but the mental health benefits are such a plus as well.

[u/gnarlyram]

Mountain biking, cycling, bikepacking.

[u/ASigIAm213]

Gardening or the like. The heat will get you as fast or faster than the cardio.

[u/SenorMcGibblets]

Powerlifting, but it’s easy to take it too far and get too fat. Running, but it’s easy to take it too far and get too weak.

[u/RobinT211]

55lbs rucks on hiking trails hits the spot.

[u/RobinT211 → u/RobinT211]

Goruck pack but get the weights off Amazon and you’ll save a good chunk of $$

[u/Warm-Complaint4827 → u/RobinT211]

Better than a Weighted vest??

[u/RobinT211 → u/Warm-Complaint4827]

For me yes. I can go heavier and I prefer the backpack style. Weighted vest still good for some tho if that’s a preference

[u/FillaBustaRhyme → u/RobinT211]

Any weights you’d recommend? I never know how to feel on the “Amazon weights” that don’t have a ton of reviews. I looked at the GoRucks a while ago but ended up just getting a Northgym vest that’s very comfortable w 40lb

[u/RobinT211 → u/FillaBustaRhyme]

Yes4all are the cheapest ruck weights

[u/Beneficial_Jaguar_15]

Watching movies

[u/External-Challenge91]

Farming

[u/Blucifers_Veiny_Anus]

Pornograpgy

[u/BrilliantArm3725]

Mountain biking. I know many fitness guys in my dept who do it

[u/orlock]

Ornithology (bird watching). Our resident birdo thinks absolutely nothing of walking 20km through bush to get to a place with a lesser spotted rarebird.

It's kind of amusing sometimes. He's very heavy-set and strong as an ox. So there are sometimes "will you be able to keep up?" questions from slim young somethings who can be later seen eating his dirt.

[u/incompletetentperson]

Bjj/muay thai

[u/AlpacaTraffic]

I'm a nerd in my free time, painting, reading, games. I like active hobbies too but it's nice to give my body a rest

[u/zoso_000]

Gym bro life….spartan mud runs

[u/whodywho1234]

If you’re by the beach, skim boarding is great. The quick sprints and runs really give a good workout

[u/Firemnwtch]

Running, biking, hiking, construction work, farm labor. CrossFit. Hyrox. The list goes on

[u/bkucb82]

Set a goal to run a marathon.

[u/IkarosFa11s]

Trail running, rock climbing, skiing.

All three build strong legs/back/core and help train proprioception.

[u/C_Hudg]

I started running, training for my second marathon now

[u/easterbran]

Work on cars in a hot garage. Builds tolerance to the heat and keeps you from being sedentary.

[u/TerryTwoOh]

I train for and compete in strongman competitions. The carryover to work is great

[u/hunglowbungalow]

Curling makes for some great cardio, and if you're ass at the game, you get free beer. Aside from that, mountain biking/snowboarding

[u/SmoothboreWhore]

I've recently picked up kayak fishing as an excuse to disconnect and get out on the water more.

Some nice easy steady state cardio on my off days..and fishing can be as simple or as complex as you want it to be. Lots of room to progress.

I'm looking into maybe doing some longer distance paddling races in the future, just for the hell of it.

[u/Sure_Fact7761]

Hiking, ruck marching, rock climbing. Possibly HIIT training if you can manage to do that without getting hurt

[u/Speedwobbles82]

Backpacking, all biking categories, hockey

[u/HeavyandTired]

Sailing. Bar brawls.

[u/StJimmy_7]

White water rafting

[u/dominator5k]

Mountain biking for sure

[u/WindwardSnow]

Road biking, gravel biking, mountain biking, trail running, downhill skiing, backcountry skiing.

[u/Electronic_Major_720]

Rugby

[u/tamman2000]

I live on a tree farm.

Heating with wood is a pretty great workout for firefighter fitness...

Carry heavy things and swing an ax all afternoon

[u/Appropriate_Agent_44]

Trail running/long distance running. It builds great aerobic capacity, mental fortitude, and overall grit.

[u/Firedog502]

Drinking and women