EMT & FIRE On The Go Functional Fitness Workouts for EMTs By Wesley Sykes, Managing Editor I t can be difficult to find time to work out around an EMTs' busy schedule. Lifting and moving large patients and heavy equipment is demanding work. Especially if you need to carry things up or down stairs. Staying in shape helps prepare you for lifting and moving with a reduced chance of injury. Additionally, if EMTs spend a lot of their time in an ambulance driving around, they're spending a lot of time sitting. It's important to find time to stretch and exercise to help prevent back pain and keep your muscles strong. Being physically fit is essential so you and your fellow EMTs stay safe and injury-free on the job! The team at Performance Health came up with a few ways to keep your workouts in the rotation, no matter how busy you are. All you need for 12 | Tactical Training & Conditioning | Spring 2023 this workout is a resistance band and your ambulance. Below is a sample workout excerpt from Performance Health. LEGS Step Up * Place your foot firmly on the step with your hands on your hips or at your side 1 * Your hips should be square, your shoulders back, and your head up * Press up on your leg that is on the step, try not to jump up * Balance at the top pausing, then step back down * Repeat * Switch to the opposite leg and repeat