Lifestyle

An NSMan Explains Why He Likes RT or IPPT Despite the Relatively Tough Training

2018-05-29 , 8:40 am

Last Updated on 2021-09-09 , 3:53 pm

Before any rotten eggs are thrown at me, or before people label me as a dog (which, come to think of it, is pretty cool since dogs are so cute), here’s a disclaimer: I don’t expect people to agree with me.

But having been a regular to RT and talking to new friends bonded from the training sessions, I think there must be at least one person who would agree with me. Or two. Or three.

Or hundreds.

For the uninitiated, here’s what RT is: NSmen like me, who has completed two years of NS and would need to complete ten cycles of one- or two-week in-camp training annually, also need to pass a physical fitness test known as Individual Physical Proficiency Test, fondly known as IPPT.

If one fails, for the following year, he’d have to attend 20 sessions of Remedial Training, which we call RT.

There’s another system known as IPT, but let’s just focus on RT since the idea is the same: physical training.

You see, RT is basically physical training that lasts for an hour or so. Training is conducted by fitness specialists who know what they’re doing: oftentimes, they’ll explain each workout.

For example, when they want us to do an interval run, in which we jog / walk for a while and sprint for the same duration, they’ll usually explain the rationale behind the training.

Participants can choose different colour tags to decide what training they prefer: for example, green tags are for weight loss, red tags are for running and purple tags are for games (yes, you can play games there).

While it’s common for NSmen to complain about RT, I’ve got to admit this: I like RT.

And here’s why.

Or to be specific, here are why.

It Forces Me to Exercise

Come on, admit it: how many of us exercise three times a week? I won’t be surprised if I say this in front of ten people and all of them look down at their large belly instead.

Given our fast-paced working environment, we often neglect our health and put priorities in everything except exercising.

For a NSman, not attending RTs is a chargeable offence, and therefore, we’re forced to attend. And what does that mean?

After every round of RT (I usually do all within a short period), I’ll always feel fitter. More addicted to exercising. And for obvious reasons, I can sleep better.

But of course RT regulars would go,”Eh you don’t keng lah. Ask you do twenty push-ups you just do ten only.”

Well, even if I’m told to run four runs and I just ran three runs, I’ve still run. Without RTs, I won’t have even run even ten metres a year, except the days when I have to chase for the bus.

It Forces Me to Work More Efficiently

Okay, this is very subjective, but hear me out.

RT starts at 6:00 p.m. or 7:00 p.m. Bosses are obligated to allow us to leave work earlier should we have RTs. Not every boss is the same, but here’s something that’s almost certain: when you need to leave early, you’ll work faster.

You see, there’s something known as “Parkinson’s law”, in which “work expands so as to fill the time available for its completion”. Let’s say my daily work is to write two articles: on days that I don’t have RT, I’ll complete the two articles by 5:30 p.m.

Yet, on days that I’ve RT, I’ll strangely complete the exact same work by 4:30 p.m.

With that mentality, I can do more in less time and spend the extra time exercising (and less time facing my fat boss).

Isn’t that a best of both worlds?

It Lets Me Have My Own Personal Trainer

I’m no gym rat, but I know a personal trainer is expensive AF.

Each session can cost over $100 and there’s no guarantee that you’ll get results.

Being in RT means having many personal trainers: all the trainers are trained and know their stuff well. Most of them are friendly and won’t mind imparting more knowledge that’s necessary for the training.

Have a friend who trains too hard on his own, and wonders if he should rest? You know who to look for. Not sure what food to eat to lose weight? You know who to look for. Have a knee pain that occurs after every workout? You know who to look for.

Some people look at RT as a slimming centre. I look at it as a gym with multiple personal trainers (even lady trainers ;)).

It Helps Me Relax

Imagine this: you’ve had a tough day, and when you attend your RT, you get to toss sandbag to the floor to release your stress.

Yah, that’s a reality.

Sometimes, I imagine the sandbag as a nasty client and toss it as hard as possible to the floor. It lets me de-stress, makes be feel better and would keep me fit: what could possibly be bad about that?

To some, running helps to destress. Too some, it’s cycling.

No matter what exercise you do, working out has been proven to help relaxation.

I’m Paid to Exercise

Do you know that attending a RT would entitle us to 1/2 day service pay?

It’s not a lot (maybe about $10 to $30, depending on your rank), but it’s enough for a Grab ride home. And if you take the train back home, you can “earn” quite a big sum.

Not to mention that when you’re fitter, you might just get a Gold in your RT-IPPT and bring home a cool $500.

So far, I’ve not been to any places that pays me to exercise. Usually it’s the other way round.

Maybe I’m Just Salty

Okay, I’ve got to admit: I attend RT because I failed my IPPT. Maybe I’m just salty, but so far, I’m enjoying it.

What about you, fellow NSmen?

Featured Image: Facebook (The Singapore Army)