Evike.com Airsoft : The Ultimate Airsoft Shop In America

Mods, before I start, move this thread to the correct forum if it's not already. If it is, please ignore this. Thanks.

So, I'm slowly transitioning into playing airsofting, and I'm gonna start having a team soon. The problem is that I'm NOT athletic. I mean, I'm more of an artistic/literary type of guy. You know, the skinny/lean (not necessarily) type. I used to do a lot of running/track, but that was like 3/4 yrs ago. But as many of you know, airsofting is a really intensive sport, even for field games. My question is, is there a general guide for a fitness plan for a guy like me. Here's a bit of details about me/requirements the plan has to meet.

Height: 5'11"~6'
Weight: 130lbs
(This may or may not be necessary, but I have a pretty fast metabolism, so I can easily stuff myself and not worry about weight/diet)
Requirements:
Weekdays only have the allotted time of 1-2 hrs at night time ( so no outdoor exercises/training)
Weekends are free for the whole day.

Please note: I have NEVER weight trained/worked out in my life. (I know, I'm lazy as hell, but then again; my hobbies were reading/drawing/gaming, so they never really required me to exert any physical effort.) It'd be nice if anyone can come up with a program for me that will increase in difficulty overtime, if not, just tell me the general idea, and I'll try to mold it into a workable program.


My rough draft of a plan was just simple push ups/sit ups for weekdays. I might also have cheap deadlifts ( bags of rice/dirt or something) too. For weekends, it'll be all of the above and running/jogging a couple of blocks, finishing it off with a sprint uphill. The plan was for me to increase my stamina/endurance, as I'll be playing on hilly areas, and it WILL help me when I'm running up the hills.

I'm not looking for like ripped body results, nor do I care about how big my muscles get or w/e. Just need something that can help me play a whole day of airsofting w/o wheezing for breath/collapsing onto the floor 3 hrs into the game. Any help is appreciated. Thanks.

It's actually better that you're skinny. Most people who are skinny collapse not because of weakness, but because of dehydration (when you're dehydrated, you'll feel weak, dizzy, unfocused, tired, out of breath, etc.).

If you are serious about training, you should search up either a lacrosse or football training guides, as those two are some of the most rigorous sports, requiring not only strength and speed, but also endurance.

I'm 6 feet with a 14% body fat level, which comes from not only conditioning, but also weight training. Basically, check into a 24 hour fitness or something like that, and lift weights. (Bench press, squats, shoulder pumps, dead lifts, cleans, etc.)

Don't diet too much, cause then you'll burn the calories from your muscle. Just run to keep weight off. Try to eat lean and protein packed meals.

Then again, airsoft is more of a fun-sport, so don't take it too seriously and go off training for special forces. ;)

Good luck.

Good topic, but it's been done already here. Lots of good info in there for people trying to condition themselves and/or get in shape.

I haven't tried this, but I've heard a lot of good things about Insanity/P90x. I have a friend trying to talk me into doing Insanity w him, but I'm already in pretty shape, so I think I may just be there for moral support :P The few I've talked to that have done one of these programs said that although it was hard for them, it really helped them get lean and build a lot more endurance than they previously had.

Thanks guys, I might look into the insanity/p90x thing. I know that airsofting is just a sport, and have no intention to train for the military ( although it would actually give my parents an excuse to send me off haha), but its kind of a hassle/disadvantage when I'm carrying a 10lb sniper rifle and running only 10-20 yards will leave me out of breath, especially since a couple of my friends whom I play with are football players... Would it be a good idea to start drinking protein shakes right off the bat at my weight/height?

If you're already skinny just lift some weights. Lifting will keep you leaner then running and will help you to build muscle. The best part is if you want to increase difficulty. Just add more weight. You don't need some big worked out program to follow. Just go to the gum and start throwing some weights around. Make sure to intake some caliories an hour before you workout. If you're a skinny guy you probably don't have much reserve energy and will burn out quickly otherwise. Go buy the Bodybuilding book by Arnold Schwarzenegger. It is probably the most comprehensive guide to body building. Even if you aren't trying to be MR. Universe. All the basic concepts still apply. And it shows you the proper way to do specific lifts. You can build your workout plan from it by deciding what you want to work on on any given day.

Haha, unfortunately, I'm really self conscious about my build, so I'll see if I can just buy some weights and train at home.. and I'll see if that book is available at the library.. I'm not much of a believer that a book is worth its cost, after all you generally wouldn't read a book enough times to make it worth the cost. So I get some calories into my system before work outs and then after drink protein shakes? Thanks again for the help, I never really cared for my health which explains the deficit in my knowledge of maintaining a good diet and being fit.

Just don't go nuts lifting weights and working out until you learn proper form and technique, otherwise you can seriously hurt yourself. If you have friends that play football, try talking to them about their workouts, and start slow. Learn what kinds of workouts they do, and adapt that to your goals.

And eat eggs. Lots of eggs. Best protein you can get, hands down.

haha yeah, I know. I'm taking anatomy and sports health classes right now ( double the knowledge of how the human body works?) I've been asking them, and all they say is protein shakes lol. I mean, lifiting weights helps, but I need the endurance while running, though beefing up my arms isn't a bad idea either... Would it be smart to run with weights around your feet? cause I figured, if my cousin who plays tennis/head of tennis team in his highschool yrs did it and had a HUGE boost in strength/endurance, it should work for me..

DO NOT TAKE PROTEIN SHAKES!!!
Almost 100% of the time, you won't be able to burn off the excess protein, so your body converts it to fat, and that's where muscle milk man boobs come from. I REPEAT DON"T TAKE PROTEIN SHAKES/SUPPLEMENTS/DRINKS/ANYTHING.

For a healthy amount of protein, eat a PB&J sandwich before and after your workout. TRUST ME. :)

lawl alright. They're expensive as hell anyways and all my money is pooled into airsofting (well...90% of it) Looks like I'll have to go through eating PB again haha. That sticky aftertaste is a turnoff for me...Must persist!!!

de_Stroyed wrote:
Haha, unfortunately, I'm really self conscious about my build, so I'll see if I can just buy some weights and train at home.. and I'll see if that book is available at the library.. I'm not much of a believer that a book is worth its cost, after all you generally wouldn't read a book enough times to make it worth the cost. So I get some calories into my system before work outs and then after drink protein shakes? Thanks again for the help, I never really cared for my health which explains the deficit in my knowledge of maintaining a good diet and being fit.

This particular book is referred to as the bible of bodybuilding. It will be your trainer. Yes the book costs $40 bucks but it is worth it. I had it long ago and lost it and am considering buying it again. Its not a reading book. its a build a better body book. think of it like an instruction manual you will refer to it time and time again and use it to build your daily routines. If you are self concious about your build then do something about it. Its easy for you skinny guys to put on a little bit of muscle and it look great.

If you don't want to go to the gym and feel like the twig. Then yes just get a couple dumbbells. 2 20 lb weights should have you set for just about any muscle groups you want to work on except for bench presses and squats.

However I highly recommend going to the gym. Get a work out partner. it will make things that much easier if you work towards your goal with someone. As you swap turns it will give your body a little recovery as well as you can urge each other on. Most good gyms will have not only the freeweights but the machines that will help you to work up towards heavy freeweights. As well they will enforce proper form. Its easy to fall out of form with the freeweights if you don't have some good core strength

oh okay. I'll get some dumbbells with those customize-able weights. The gym will have to weight for awhile... because in these 4-6 months alone I'll be dropping down close to $1000 for airsoft gear/guns alone. Thanks a lot for the help everyone. Really appreciate it.

de_Stroyed wrote:
oh okay. I'll get some dumbbells with those customize-able weights. The gym will have to weight for awhile... because in these 4-6 months alone I'll be dropping down close to $1000 for airsoft gear/guns alone. Thanks a lot for the help everyone. Really appreciate it.

I'd also suggest going to your local thrift stores and see if they have any weights that someone may have donated. I scored a 45lb dumbbell for about 10 bucks. At big 5 the same weight costs 50. You might even be able to score a basic weight bench. That will help a lot if you're going to be working out at home.

yeah that's true. too bad Big5 always overprice things.

read Spetznaz training guide. somewhat extreme, very effective. has four levels of difficulty.

You don't need weights, a gym, or anything special to get in shape for airsoft. Body building is not what you want. Most body builders can't run a quarter mile. Get your cardio up, just start running. You want to be effective? Make sure you can a run a few miles. Load up 30 or 40 pounds in your ruck and hike a few miles. Pushups, dips, and pull ups will will work your upper body. Sit ups and crunches for the core. Lunges, squats, and box jumps for lower. Being dedicated to wanting to be more active and in shape is more important than any equipment you think you might need.

If you are serious about something like this.
Checking bodybuilding.com that particular site has a lot of good information for all kinds of lifting, and they sell all the suppliments you'd ever need.

There are very few physical barriers in life. This was aptly demonstrated in my last race as I watched the double (leg) amputee briskly crossing the finish line,Place your hands behind your head and lift your shoulder blades off the floor using your abdominal muscles; then slowly go back down.

Cardio. Running, swimming, hiking. Worry more about core strength than limb strength. Get yourself a ruck, load it up with more weight than you carry to play, and put in a few miles every few days. Don't try to go too far too fast. Building up your physical capabilities will take time and injuring yourself will slow you down.

I think it's great that you wan't to be fit for airsoft, but, I'm not super athletic, I'm only about 5'2", and I'm not the skinniest person there ever was, but my point is I am still the best player in my group and I don't even have the greatest gun. Of course, airsoft to me is just a hobby that I enjoy doing, I spend very little money on gear, and I never have and maybe never will play at one of those airsoft arenas where you have to pay to get in.
All I'm saying is, if you just like it to invite some friends over and play in your backyard, it doesn't really matter.