Physical Abilities Questions from a Woman

[krush2112]

Hello Everyone,

I have just been informed that I passed the Written Exam, and this weekend I will be taking the PAT test. I have been increasingly physically active in preparation for the PAT. I have been training the past few months doing cycling, running, and strength training.

I'm a little nervous though, because I've never been a great or a fast runner. I'm only 5 feet tall and I can run long distances, just not fast. I read in another forum here that the 500 yard run is what gets most people. I'm just planning on doing an all out sprint, and I hope that will suffice. Any tips?

However, I am more concerned about the strength tests. Obviously being a woman, I'm not going to be as strong as my male counterparts. I'm wondering if they are going to uphold me to the same standards as the male candidates, or if they have a different grading system?

Any insight on this would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you.

[retchp]

Have faith in yourself and do your best on it. If you don't pass it there is always next time. You must know how fast a time you need to get and have had the information for awhile. Do you have time to go to a track and do a time trial? That would tell you what you need to do. Good luck to you.

[graver]

its easy dont worry about the PAT, if you cant pass the PAT then you shouldnt be applying

[nobody33]

Hello Everyone,

I have just been informed that I passed the Written Exam, and this weekend I will be taking the PAT test. I have been increasingly physically active in preparation for the PAT. I have been training the past few months doing cycling, running, and strength training.

I'm a little nervous though, because I've never been a great or a fast runner. I'm only 5 feet tall and I can run long distances, just not fast. I read in another forum here that the 500 yard run is what gets most people. I'm just planning on doing an all out sprint, and I hope that will suffice. Any tips?

However, I am more concerned about the strength tests. Obviously being a woman, I'm not going to be as strong as my male counterparts. I'm wondering if they are going to uphold me to the same standards as the male candidates, or if they have a different grading system?

Any insight on this would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you.


The standards are the same. The PAT is easy, espically the run 2 minutes at 500 yards is a medium paced jog. I thought I was going to have trouble with it, and passed with 20 seconds to spare. I did get smoked by everyone else running it though. I think everyone passed. You can test yourself by running one lap-440 yards and then half of the straight part of the track. that's 500.

[krush2112]

Yeah, I actually went and ran today at a track at lunchtime, and I was able to sprint 500 yards pretty easily, I timed it at a minute and 30 seconds. So I'm not worried about that now!

I am still concerned with the strength tests though. I'm strong for a woman, I can tell you that! I just wasn't sure if the strength tests would be of concern for a woman or not. But men probably wouldn't know that!

[redhead]

I am still concerned with the strength tests though. I'm strong for a woman, I can tell you that! I just wasn't sure if the strength tests would be of concern for a woman or not. But men probably wouldn't know that!
For the upper body strength test, there are 3 different test where the scores are combined to equal one score. You can get that on the first part of the test and not have to do the remaining two (saw one guy do this at my PAT) or you may have to use all three chances, but by the time you are to #3, you are so close to the mark, it should not that be hard at all. Good Luck!!

[Your Mentor]

Krush,
Understand that the physical requirements in the test, and later at the Academy, are based on a list of tasks which an officer, regardless of gender, may be required to perform in the field. Nearly every LE agency now holds both genders to the same standards. This is also true in fire fighting. This is certainly important in relation to the field as your job will be gender neutral. If you get into a physical confrontation you're on your own until help arrives. Anyway, this list of job performance tasks is the standard we continue to be held to as our careers progress. If a uniformed member is deemed no longer be able to perform these tasks, he or she is either medically retired or, if this inability is not job related, they are fired. If you're serious about pursuing this job, you need to put gender out of your head. It's simply YOU who will be making the grade or not. Good luck with the process.

[krush2112]

Well, I passed my PAT everyone! And thank you redhead, that was my concern...I did have to pedal the little hand bike in order to meet my upper body score. I saw many men that had to do that as well. My 500 yard run went well, I just did my best to stay with the pack. There was another female running in my group, and she didn't make it. I had to do the written psychological tests that day as well, which made for a very long day.

They seem to be moving through this process pretty quickly. MY QAP is already scheduled for Tomorrow. Wish me luck!

[redhead]

Well, I passed my PAT everyone! And thank you redhead, that was my concern...I did have to pedal the little hand bike in order to meet my upper body score. I saw many men that had to do that as well. My 500 yard run went well, I just did my best to stay with the pack. There was another female running in my group, and she didn't make it. I had to do the written psychological tests that day as well, which made for a very long day.

They seem to be moving through this process pretty quickly. MY QAP is already scheduled for Tomorrow. Wish me luck! You're welcome. Glad you passed. Time to study up for the QAP! :smile:

[pupdog]

Hi! I know, this test was a few weeks ago, but I just found this forum, and future applicants will read this too.
The PAT wasn't bad. I was really frustrated with the run. I passed with plenty of time left, but my frustration was from tying my PR...again. Like you, I'm an amazing distance runner (26.2 BABY!) but speed is a huge issue. My fast miles are eternally in the 7:50 range, and will I EVER beat 27:00 in a 5k? I LOVE my triathlon club like my family, and my coach is awesome, and the only thing I don't like about this whole academy thing is the idea of working out with someone besides him, but at the same time...I can't wait! What drills do their PT instructors have that will make the differance?? In the meantime, my wonderful tri coach as me well on my way to 4 chin-ups and no training table.
For the handbike...a little hint...when you bike, are you clipped in? I watched a lot of people really struggle on the handbike while I (eternally) waited in line. When it was my turn, I...oops...the pedal slipped out of my hand! Panic! But when I did my reps, I had 38 seconds left! I simply pretended I was on my real bike, clipped in, climbing a hill. Easy!
I'm always a little offended when I tell people about the 4 chinup/50 pushup thing, and they are suprised that it's not lower for a girl. I'm GLAD! A scumbag who's head is still in the dark ages about a woman's place would really want to mess up a female cop. Plus, years ago I read the the US Army did a study on male vs female strength, and found that while some of it is hormonal, a lot of the difference was social/gender imprinting; how girls are raised. I believe it...I was a gymnastics coach for nearly a decade, both sexes. that's a big-time upper body strength sport, and I never saw anything that would confirm that boys are just stronger.

[23103]

Hi! I know, this test was a few weeks ago, but I just found this forum, and future applicants will read this too.
The PAT wasn't bad. I was really frustrated with the run. I passed with plenty of time left, but my frustration was from tying my PR...again. Like you, I'm an amazing distance runner (26.2 BABY!) but speed is a huge issue. My fast miles are eternally in the 7:50 range, and will I EVER beat 27:00 in a 5k? I LOVE my triathlon club like my family, and my coach is awesome, and the only thing I don't like about this whole academy thing is the idea of working out with someone besides him, but at the same time...I can't wait! What drills do their PT instructors have that will make the differance?? In the meantime, my wonderful tri coach as me well on my way to 4 chin-ups and no training table.
For the handbike...a little hint...when you bike, are you clipped in? I watched a lot of people really struggle on the handbike while I (eternally) waited in line. When it was my turn, I...oops...the pedal slipped out of my hand! Panic! But when I did my reps, I had 38 seconds left! I simply pretended I was on my real bike, clipped in, climbing a hill. Easy!
I'm always a little offended when I tell people about the 4 chinup/50 pushup thing, and they are suprised that it's not lower for a girl. I'm GLAD! A scumbag who's head is still in the dark ages about a woman's place would really want to mess up a female cop. Plus, years ago I read the the US Army did a study on male vs female strength, and found that while some of it is hormonal, a lot of the difference was social/gender imprinting; how girls are raised. I believe it...I was a gymnastics coach for nearly a decade, both sexes. that's a big-time upper body strength sport, and I never saw anything that would confirm that boys are just stronger.

Do 8 pullups (not "chin-ups"....weak) and 100 pushups. Cut down your mile to 6 minutes. Actually, now that I think about it, I'm going to post a bomb ass workout for all you hopefulls.

[Your Mentor]

All I did before entering the Academy was surf almost every day. My body fat was 7% but I wasn't a runner at all. I ended up on the back row right off the bat (4th from the top athelete). My body fat actually went up while I was there (9% when I graduated). I became a faster runner while there because of one fact, and it wasn't the PT staff yelling at us. If they'd cut us loose on a run, I ran hard so I could be the first person back to the quad. I hated waiting for the shower and wanted to be in and out before anyone else. I managed to do so every day I was there. Thanks kids - I feel old now.

[Tom]

You know what's funny?, I spent the whole time in the back row (making it up to #3 I think) and it was HORRIBLE. The intructors that weren't instructing hung out at the back wall and gave you grief. It would have been easier in the front row with the marshmallows!:lol:

[salty]

[quote=Your Mentor]All I did before entering the Academy was surf almost every day.quote]

Do you still have time to surf now that you're an officer? I'm thinking graveyard shift might be cool to make dawn patrol after a shift.

[Mac]

I'm sure Mentor has time to surf - he probably just doesn't have time to drive to the beach from where he is! :lol:

[Tom]

Surf the internet.

Tom

[K-Lo]

now that I think about it, I'm going to post a bomb ass workout for all you hopefulls.

23103 are you still planning to post this? I know I need to up my training considerably and would appreciate any advise you can offer. Thanks in advance.

[pupdog]

4% body fat! Scary low! And surfing at that? Must have been some heavy duty wetsuit!
Question...what's the deal with front & back row? I know you get ranked in PT by how fit you are (several officers have warned me NOT to tell the PT instrauctors about the whole marathon/triathlon thing! They say I want them to have to turn me around to read my name off my shirt to know my name!). I assume back row is for the fast & fit (the "Kenyans," we runners call them), the front is for the ones who seem to have misplaced the little booklet telling what's expected?

[Your Mentor]

I wore a 5mm wet suit with a hood. Mac is right, I'm too far from the coast to surf anymore. Have been since joining the CHP. I haven't taken a surfing vacation in years now. I have a ripping fast sailboat, I mountain bike, backpack, and ski. That's about it now. I really got into rock and ice climbing for a few years when I was assigned to the Bishop Area. The only surfing I do now is, as Tom pointed out, on the internet :cry: Not surprisingly, though. After growing up in Dana Point and surfing with the same group of people for most of my youth, I found surfing had turned into a crowded, commercialized sport whereas it was a lifestyle when I was a kid. All the north coast shark attacks sure don't motivate me either. I like having limbs that work. Anyway, I find it amusing that surfing was all I did to prepare (like I had to get motivated to do that). As for the front and back row, you are right pupdog. The ranking starts at the back row so that unfit cadets are right in front of the instructor leading PT.

I agree with those officer's recommendation pupdog. Keep ANY bragging rights regarding fitness to yourself. It's easier to go through the Academy flying low and humble. You'll have tons of opportunities to use that fitness after you graduate; police/fire olympics, softball tournaments (very popular) and the Baker-to-Vegas relay (another very popular event). While you're a cadet, just enjoy the fact that PT is something you won't have to worry about.

[Mac]

As for the front and back row, you are right pupdog. The ranking starts at the back row so that unfit cadets are right in front of the instructor leading PT.
They don't do "the morgue" anymore, do they? I heard that got squashed a few years back - too humiliating or whatever.

I agree with those officer's recommendation pupdog. Keep ANY bragging rights regarding fitness to yourself. It's easier to go through the Academy flying low and humble.
Ain't THAT the truth!!! :badgrin: The best thing you can do is try to fly under the radar the whole time.....if you graduate and have the Academy Staff saying "Who the heck is THAT?!?", you've done well! Anybody who goes up with any kind of braggadocio or know-it-all 'tude can prepare to have their ass handed to them...you'll be making your life immeasurably more difficult and uncomfortable. Unlike other places in life, "personalized attention" is NOT a good thing at the Academy!

[Tom]

The "morgue" was in place when I went through....this is TOO funny....bringing back all the memories!!!! HaHa!!

Tom

[Your Mentor]

Don't know if it got cut or not. The Academic instructors would only go into the gym to watch during their first day of PT. Otherwise we were too busy with our own stuff.

[Mac]

...The Academic instructors would only go into the gym to watch during their first day of PT...
Ahhhhhh, the first day of PT... definitely a "rememberable" day!