Dr. Mike Israetel Takes Air Force Special Warfare Fitness Test: Is He Airworthy?
Dr. Mike Israetel has built an impressive physique and possesses plenty of strength, but how would that translate to a military fitness test? The Renaissance Periodization co-founder recently traveled to Hill Air Force Base in Utah, where he attempted the Air Force Special Warfare Initial Fitness Test alongside an actual candidate. The challenge tested everything from pull-ups and push-ups to running and swimming.
As has been the case with some of Israetel’s previous fitness challenges, his muscular build served him well during the strength-based portions. Once endurance became the primary focus, things got much more difficult.
Dr. Mike Israetel Starts Strong With Pull-Ups
The first challenge required strict pull-ups, with candidates needing to complete at least eight repetitions. Each rep required a dead hang at the bottom and the chin to convincingly clear the bar.
Despite carrying considerably more muscle mass than the typical candidate, Israetel knocked out 11 strict pull-ups, earning his first pass of the day.
He came away impressed by the standard.
“Eight reps with your chin convincingly over the bar, basically bar to chest. That’s actually really, really tough.”
After the successful start, Israetel joked that he might finally be on his way to passing a U.S. military fitness test.
That optimism didn’t last long.
Sit-Ups Bring Israetel Back Down To Earth
Next came the sit-up test. Candidates were given two minutes and needed at least 50 repetitions, with continuous movement required throughout the attempt.
Israetel made it to just 20 sit-ups before stopping, well short of the passing mark.
While he joked his way through a lengthy list of excuses afterward, he also acknowledged how demanding the movement became.
“I stopped at 20 reps cuz Jesus Christ, that’s a lot of reps.”
The failure left Israetel one-for-two heading into an exercise much more suited to his bodybuilding background.
Israetel Passes Push-Up Test With 46 Reps
For the push-up portion, candidates needed at least 40 repetitions. Israetel was required to maintain a straight body position, break 90 degrees at the bottom and lock out at the top.
This time, the muscle paid off.
Israetel completed 46 strict push-ups with more than a minute remaining, comfortably clearing the minimum standard.
“We out here hitting minimum standards, baby, all day,” Israetel joked after receiving confirmation that he passed.
At that point, he had successfully completed two of the first three events:
- Pull-ups: 11 reps, PASS
- Sit-ups: 20 reps, FAIL
- Push-ups: 46 reps, PASS
Unfortunately for Israetel, the remaining tests shifted heavily toward cardiovascular endurance and swimming ability.
The 1.5-Mile Run Goes About As Expected
Candidates were tasked with running six laps around the quarter-mile track to complete 1.5 miles in under 10 minutes and 20 seconds.
Israetel didn’t make it particularly close.
After completing two laps, his run came to an end. His official result was recorded as a DNF, or did not finish.
“I feel great, but my calves won’t lift up off the ground anymore,” Israetel joked during the attempt.
His training partner and Air Force candidate AJ, meanwhile, completed the entire 1.5-mile run in nine minutes.
Swimming Proves To Be Israetel’s Biggest Challenge
The final portion of the test moved to the pool.
First, participants attempted two 25-meter underwater swims, with three minutes between efforts. Israetel surfaced before completing the required distance and failed the event.
Things didn’t improve much during the 500-meter swim.
Candidates had to complete the entire distance continuously using an approved stroke. Israetel stopped after roughly half a lap.
“So, it turns out I can’t swim.”
Israetel later acknowledged the real-world importance of the swimming requirements, particularly for Special Warfare personnel who could be required to operate or perform rescues in the water.
Strength Wasn’t Enough To Pass The Air Force Test
Israetel ultimately showed exactly where his bodybuilding-focused training translates well and where it doesn’t.
His upper-body strength allowed him to clear the standards in both pull-ups and push-ups, but muscular endurance, running and swimming proved to be much larger obstacles.
More importantly, Israetel emphasized that these minimum standards exist for a reason. Air Force Special Warfare candidates aren’t simply trying to demonstrate that they’re “fit.” They need the conditioning and skills required to perform physically demanding tasks in environments where failure can have serious consequences.
For Israetel, the trip to Hill Air Force Base produced a familiar result: plenty of strength, plenty of muscle, and considerably less success once prolonged endurance entered the equation.
Still, going two-for-five against standards designed as an entry point for Air Force Special Warfare candidates isn’t a bad showing for a bodybuilder who freely admits running and swimming aren’t exactly his specialties.
Image embed via YouTube @RenaissancePeriodization
