The Unspoken Fitness Requirement Every Security Guard Should Know About
The security industry is pretty inclusive, particularly when it comes to entry-level guard jobs. You don’t need to go to school to be a security guard and most of the real training takes place on the job. But that doesn’t mean security companies will hire whatever warm body stumbles through the door.
Security guards have a hidden job requirement.
It’s a requirement that companies don’t announce and job applicants generally don’t know about. And it comes down to your level of fitness.
So how in-shape do you need to be to become a security guard?
Even though there’s no state-mandated fitness test, no company will hire you if you can’t fulfill the basic duty of every security guard: to observe and report. Whether that means letting the authorities know about a potential terrorist attack or simply stopping a suspected shoplifter from leaving the premises…
Security guards need to meet the physical demands of the job they hold.
You are the first line of defense. You’re hired to protect both people and property. So if there’s a chance that your level of physical fitness could interfere with your duties, you put yourself and those around you in danger.
You become a liability that legitimate security companies can’t afford to take on.
Get healthy for both the job and your quality of life
You don’t have to be an Olympic-level athlete to be a security guard, but you should be healthy. That means eating right and exercising.
If you feel like you’re a bit behind the curve, don’t panic. A few simple lifestyle changes can make all the difference.
- Eat right – Rather than restrict your diet, work healthier side dishes into your meals. Add a salad to lunch or an extra vegetable to dinner. Swap fruit juice in for soda. The key is moderation not deprivation. Here are 100 more doctor-recommended weight loss tips to get you started. Pick a few, try them out, and see what sticks.
- Exercise – If spending time at the gym isn’t your thing, at least look for ways to move more throughout your day. Park at the back of the lot when you get to work or go shopping. Use the stairs instead of the elevator. Walk your dog more often. If you feel like you want to kick it up a notch, visit Fitness Blender for a variety of full-length, online workout videos to meet any fitness level. It’s entirely free.
It may not seem like much, but small consistent changes add up.
Remember, as a professional security guard your ability to fulfill your duties depends on how healthy you are. Security jobs may not have a mandatory fitness requirement, but it’s important to be in shape… for your sake and that of the people and property you’re hired to protect.