They claim to be the best of the best. The U.S. Marine Corps is proud of how it trains troops for battle and now you can employ the same techniques in your exercise program to achieve maximum fitness. The Marine fitness plan mixes cardio activity with strength training to push you to your limit.

What makes the Marine Corps training program different from typical exercise routines is that they do not do any traditional weight lifting. The strength training involves activities like push-ups, planks, hanging leg raises and Supermans. The exercises are performed in between cardio training activities like running wind sprints or climbing hills. The Marines call it combat conditioning.

To pass the Marine fitness test, you must perform 50 crunches, 3 pull-ups and run 3 miles in less than 28 minutes. At the heart of the Marine combat conditioning program is strengthening the core. Exercises that hit the abs and back are used to stabilize the trunk of the body and prevent injury. Marines can carry over 50 pounds in body armor and gear and must be in top physical condition to avoid straining their back and other muscles.

In recent years, the Marine Corps has started to adopt many of the fitness training activities that are used in professional sports. Like football players who run a series of short wind sprints, the Corps requires its cadets to do the same. One set of sprints will be followed up by a set of push-ups and then another round of sprints. The goal is a combination of stamina and strength that will keep the Marines safe in battle.

Other exercises that are part of the combat conditioning include martial arts training and running of obstacle courses. These activities will build upper body strength as well as firming up the core. Another famous part of the Marine workout is long conditioning marches. These training sessions can be anywhere from 3 to 9 miles and the troops must participate wearing their full military gear and carrying combat supplies which can weigh as much as 100 pounds.