Most people take gear to the gym. Lately, Justin Jones has been bringing a little more than usual.
"It's not even the weight that I've noticed,” Jones says. “It's the way the gear holds in the heat."
Jones is competing in the Scott Firefighter Combat Challenge in Branson May 6th and 7th. It’s A sprint that turns firefighting into a fitness showdown.
"We like to call ourselves occupational athletes,” Don Gregory, also with the BFD, says.
The competitors start by sprinting up four flights of stairs. Then they pull a fire hose all the way up to the top. Sprint back down. Bludgeon a weighted sled a few times. Dodge some cones. Shoot water at a target. Finally, drag a dummy to the finish line.
All while wearing full gear, weighing an estimated 85 pounds. The elite athletes will finish in well under two minutes.
To simulate that extra baggage, Jones trains with a weighted vest.
"We have to be in athletic form not only to participate in the challenge, but in our jobs.” Gregory says. “We have to be physically fit to perform these tasks even when it's not for fun."
But this competition appeals to a special breed of people.
"It's not a wake up one day and decide to go to the gym to compete in this event, you have to be committed to it,” Gregory said.
"Luckily fitness is my life,” Jones adds.
Jones is a fitness instructor when he's off duty, and actually likes training for this.
"It's exciting. I'm a competitive guy and I love it so it kind of helps."
He uses a lot of functional movements to prepare, including CrossFit style workouts, which he and his wife work with daily at their business, Come Alive CrossFit. It's exhausting, but rewarding.
"When you're sitting there and the crowd's cheering and you hear that bell go your competitive nature takes over and you just go for it,” Jones said.
If this sounds like fun, you can sign up here. There’s also a gear-free division if weighing yourself down with 85-pounds isn’t your thing.
