So you’ve decided to become a corrections officer, well you’ve made an excellent choice. But maybe you’re not too sure about the physical fitness and agility requirements that are necessary for all newly hired corrections officers. In this article, I’ll attempt to shed some light on what to expect during the exam process, and also provide you with some tips on how to properly prepares so that you can pass the first time, every time.

First things first, the physical ability and agility requirements regarding a potential position as a correctional officer vary from state to state and from location to location. Among all on the countries different jurisdictions, a common baseline standard may be devised while using statewide procedures. If you are already in contact with a hiring department, see if the hiring personnel will provide you with a copy of their particular physical training testing outline so that you can more properly focus your training to those key areas.

Depending on your current physical condition, it is highly recommended that you begin your physical training as soon as possible from the date of initial notification that you will be tested on your physical abilities by a hiring department for a career in corrections. Getting an early start to your training will ensure that you will be well prepared for anything that may arise during testing.

Before being appointed to just about any position related to corrections officers, prison guards, or jailers, applicants should be at a specific level of physical fitness in order to qualify for the position. That’s not to say you need to be “Mr. Universe” or “Miss America” when it comes to your physical visual appeal or stamina, but you simply must be at or slightly around the average.

Some positions will necessitate you to complete a wide-ranging physical abilities assessment to ascertain your fitness level. The requirements will change in type if an arbitrary quantity of activities needs to be completed, if the activities should just completed, or combining the two.

Below is a list of the various tasks that you possibly will be required to perform in the event you take a physical ability assessment:

Push-Ups and Sit-Ups -Usually as many as possible.
Running/Walking Assessment -A selected distance completed by a certain time.
Stair/Ladder Climbing -Assessing the ability to fall and rise.
Push/Pulling Strength Review -Usually conducted on the specialized machine.
Lifting Ability -Involves training & carrying an amount of weight a selected distance.
Obstacle Course or Lane Events -A test around the applicants overall level of fitness.

The standards regarding these assessments are generally broken down simply by gender and age bracket. So when you are shown the physical standards for your hiring department you could have displayed an interest with, if you have taken the time to prepare in advance or if you are already in excellent shape, at least you can be ahead of the game and on the road to success!

Once you pass the initial fitness exam that qualifies you for the job, be aware that it doesn’t end there. Most Basic Training Academies that train incoming correctional officers incorporate a standard daily physical fitness routine to ensure that all potential officers are physically in-shape prior to beginning their duties as a corrections officer.