Hi i am 20 yrs old and am applying for the Australian SAS. I have been successful on my aptitude tests and now its time to kick in. Given that i am 20 yrs old and am looking at bodybuilding for life is there any advice that anyone can give me.

I am 6' 198lbs and about 16% bf (max). i am thinking of taking some t3 to boost my metabolism ( i have a really sluggish thyroid and have worked my ass off to get down to 16% but i cant get and better then that ) to get totally in shape for the fitness exam. I will combine the T3 with cardio and resistance and endurance exercises. ( a change from the standard high weight 6-12 reps i will move on to 12- 15 ?) im sorry if this comes out a little dumb but im trying to throw some ideas around.

I am 20yrs old and am not really considering AAS atm ( thanks to alot of peoples advice ) but will certinally consder them in the future.

My question is as follows: The amount of physical training i will be doing "hikes, cardio, so on and so forth" will this damage or retard muscle growth and use up the majority of the glycogen in my body? The thing is i have no idea when they may call me up . maybe 3mths to a year. I have never been so driven in my life to succeed and be accepted into the Spec. Forces. And unfortunately given the time frame i need to build as much muscle as possible while workign on endurance as well. Should opt for a split training session and do resistance EOD?

As you can see im a little hyped up over it and am probably not thinking too straight. Any advice or help will be greatly accepted.

you know what i would do? i would contact the department you are training for and ask them for info on the abuse they will putting your body through. they will probrably have a training schedule for you to get into good shape for the tests. i know they do that in the States for the Navy seals, there is all kinds of info on their website.

First rule:
You cannot have it all. By this I mean, that you cannot train for muscle growth and endurance at the same time and get the full benefits of both. More about this later.

Second rule:
There is a thing called muscle specificity which means that the benefits of one exercise do not spill over fully to another. So, if you are good at squats, you will not necessarilly be a good runner. If you want to imrove running, run; squats, squat.

So, what am I saying? I am saying that rugger is right.

You have to practise on the stuff that they will examine you and improve your performance on those specific tasks.

Pass the exam, and worry about bb later. Otherwise, you are going to shortcircuit your progress in both fronts: aerobics and lifting.

Once, you know how they will test you, post the info, and we will all help you.

As a possible way, of doing both, fast and efficiently, look at abbreviated workouts. But, again it is better to target your needs.

Just a little word about the T3 bro, BIG MISTAKE ! Sluggish thyroid or not, T3 isn't something to take just to lose a little weight. T3 should always be run in a steroid cycle as you have to take in MASSIVE amounts of calories to offset the catabolic effects of T3. T3 will burn fat cells no doubt,,, but it'll burn the hell out of muscle cells too. If you are staying natural for awhile, then stay natural for awhile, don't go dabbling in something that you aren't ready for and don't quit understand yet. T3 could mess your thyroid up for the rest of your life if you don't know what you're doing. Just looking out for your safety bro. ;)

Natural is the way to go for sasr mate, because you know when you start carter your going to get stripped down to your bare ass and serched, this means no help from drugs for 6 weeks! whatever gains you might have had may even hold you back because you have to work without them!... my advice.... pushups!! bulk pushups everyday.... packmarch your ass off with heavy weight, do the 13week sasr training course!

The SAS should have a training program, I know all of our elite forces do. Follow it. Build up endurance and muscle. The main thing about your selection is walking, walking, and more walking with that heavy bergen on your back. Toughen up you feet by DOING it prior to selection. As far as muscles, your primary focus should be on your traps, back, and legs. These are the main muscles that you will be using on those long humps. Don't neglect everything else. Build everything.. But get your lung capacity and endurance up by rucking, running, and swimming. If you really want it, you'll do it. what most people don't understand is only about 40% of it is physical. And by that I mean you can break down, your feet can get so fucked up you can't walk, or if you are are unlucky, you'll get injured... That's the physical part. at least 60% of it is in your heart and mind. If it's something that you really want, then don't let anything stop you. When your mind and body tell you to quit.. Drive on. Keep your eyes on the prize, that's what we used to say. Good luck bro.