Study: Mountain Bikers Make Good Navy SEALs

photo courtesy sealchallenge.navy.mil. A Gallup poll commissioned by the US Navy found that mountain bikers (and other “alternative” sports enthusiasts) were more likely to survive the intense training required to become a SEAL. This report comes as the Navy is seeking to shore up the SEAL ranks which traditionally has a 67% training drop-out rate. …

By Jeff Barber
March 16, 2010 Last Updated: August 14, 2024

9 comments

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photo courtesy sealchallenge.navy.mil.

A Gallup poll commissioned by the US Navy found that mountain bikers (and other “alternative” sports enthusiasts) were more likely to survive the intense training required to become a SEAL. This report comes as the Navy is seeking to shore up the SEAL ranks which traditionally has a 67% training drop-out rate. Other sports participants the SEALs will target include snow boarders, rock climbers, and martial artists.

Clearly mountain biking is a sport that requires both physical and mental endurance and tends to attract the sort of adrenaline junkies the Navy SEALs are looking for. The training is intense but so is completing a dirty century or sessioning a 10-foot drop over and over until you get a clean landing. On top of that, most mountain bikers learn a thing or two about maintaining and repairing critical equipment in the field.

The study also found the best candidates come from the northeast, northern plains, and west coast of the US so don’t be surprised if you see a Navy booth set up at your local MTB race. Makes me feel proud to be a mountain biker!

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9 Comments

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Greg Heil Colorado // 2008
Mar 17, 2010

@nanook: I just went on a last-minute week-long ski trip with my brother, and she was totally cool with it. Yeh, I'm a lucky guy ;) Of course, I don't do stuff like that all the time.

But being married is really good. Haha, I'd rather be married than be in the military!

0 reply

GoldenGoose Georgia // 2007
Mar 16, 2010

Don't forget that most of us already have at least a basic understanding of how to survive in the wild when lost, we probably already know how to use a map, we probably know some forms of basic first aid, and most everyone of us is right at home in the wilderness and great outdoors.

AboveTheRidge Georgia // 2007
Mar 18, 2010

Exactly... scissors. Same exercise, different term. You say pavement tackle, we say necessary takedown - same skin scrape results and both are just as fun!

nanook 2008
Mar 17, 2010

Goo said: "Interesting concept… but I personally enjoy not having to answer to anyone too much to go into the military. Plus I don’t think my wife would be down for it."

Hmmm, methinks the second sentence indicates that you ALREADY have to answer to someone! ;)

AboveTheRidge Georgia // 2007
Mar 17, 2010

I must say that as a mountain biker, I agree 100%. The physical ability conducted on the trails by a mtn biker can easily contribute to the success of a SEAL candidate. I work for a company and have for over 10 years that was founded by a Navy SEAL and employs 4 other retired SEALs and many other retired Special Forces, SWAT and Law Enforcement agents who are still in prime physical shape. The workouts we all do each morning have definitely improved my game on the trail, but on the flipside, had I not been a mountain biker, some of the leg and cardio workout routines would've crushed me without a doubt in the first 3 minutes. Try 4 count flutter kicking up to 100 on hot pavement during the summer. If you're prior military, you know what I'm talking about.

Greg Heil Colorado // 2008
Mar 16, 2010

I remember reading about something along these lines several months (maybe a year) back in Bike Mag. Interesting concept... but I personally enjoy not having to answer to anyone too much to go into the military. Plus I don't think my wife would be down for it.

But all of you single guys out there, listen up!

-Greg
http://gregridestrails.com

GoldenGoose Georgia // 2007
Mar 18, 2010

Lay on your back, extend your legs out straight, and lift them off the ground about 30 degrees. Keep your legs straight and kick your legs back and forth like you are swimming. Works the abs and hip flexors. Some call it excercise, others call it torture.

steve32300 2007
Mar 18, 2010

Ohh,we use to do those in football,but we called them leg lifts/scissors...Very good exercise,but we used to play tackle football on the pavement,man does that burn when you scrape your skin on hot pavement.................

Try 4 count flutter kicking up to 100 on hot pavement during the summer. If you’re prior military, you know what I’m talking about.

Well,I'm not exmilitary and dont know what your talking about,would you mind explaining?????

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