’I completed an SAS course and it’s just as horrific as on TV’

We’ve seen celebrities buckle under the pressure of an SAS course, but is it really that hard? This journalist took the test and “died”.

We have all seen the stars of SAS Australia go through challenges that push the mind and body to its limits.

From getting showered with capsicum spray in the face to jumping from a helicopter into a speeding boat - the kind of training to get to that point is unimaginable for most.

So, could I, a 26-year-old woman that wears a size 16 and works out five times a week, train like an SAS soldier?

As part of Amazon Prime Video’s release of The Terminal List, which features Chris Pratt as a former Navy SEAL officer - the American equivalent of an SAS soldier - investigating why his platoon was ambushed during a cover mission, I was invited to take on the challenge.

Me in the morning before the workout. Picture: Supplied

Hosted by Sydney personal trainer Jono Castano at his gym Acero, he put a group of us through our paces, completing an SAS-inspired workout.

I am not going to lie, I was a little hesitant about this challenge. Thanks to a coeliac disease diagnosis and a bit of emotional eating, I am a plus sized woman. Despite the fact I play two sports and work out five times a week, I felt like these challenges were going to be way beyond my reach.

While there are many plus-sized people who would have killed this, I doubted whether I would be one of them.

But, as Jono reassured me beforehand, it was all about pushing myself to the limit - whatever that may be.

Chris Pratt in The Terminal List. Picture: Amazon Prime

“A workout like this entails a lot - strength, endurance, speed and intelligence,” he said.

“But, in terms of working out, it’s just about getting moving.

“For a regular person, I’d only recommend this based on their goal. If they are advanced and want to try something that will push them, this is for those people.”

He said every workout needs to be tailored to each person’s skill and goals and that the workout for this challenge was going to be intense, even for someone such as him.

The Navy SEAL physical screen test includes a 470m breaststroke swim to be completed in under 12.5 minutes, 42 push ups within 2 minutes, 50 sit ups in 2 minutes, 6 pull ups and a 2.4km run within 11 minutes.

Thankfully, this workout, while challenging, wouldn’t be anywhere near as horrific.

The workout would be 13 exercises to complete in 45 minutes, plus a warm up, with a board to tick off what we’d done during that time.

“A bit of friendly competition to see who can tick off the most,” Jono joked.

The group who participated in The Terminal List workout. Picture: Supplied

As we gathered around in a circle Jono revealed we would be doing a warm up to the infamous squat track ‘Bring Sally Up’.

Only, this time, we’d be doing it as push ups.

Immediately, a thought rushed through my head. “I’ve made a mistake.”

I’ve done the squat version dozens of times and my legs are easily my strongest body part. My arms are my weakest.

My shoulders were on fire after the four minutes and then I had to do 50 chest presses with 10kg in each hand straight afterwards.

One exercise, which I found to be the most challenging, was actually a balance-based one. With one leg in the air, and the other foot on an inflatable disc, you throw a tennis ball at the wall and catch in the other for 25 rounds.

I can’t balance to save the life of me and my hand-eye coordination is shocking, despite being on sports teams, and I was getting frustrated.

How could I not do this most basic task?

But Ben Putland, another trainer at Acero, came over and helped me modify the task so I could actually get a workout while using it.

The section that broke me, though, was a kilometre jog on a treadmill on an incline of 8. I knew it would take me about 10 minutes, but what I didn’t expect was how much the incline would get me.

After three minutes, I was gasping for air.

I didn’t want to do it anymore, but I wasn’t about to cheat myself.

At one point, tears started to prick my eyes. I was tired, sore and embarrassed. I felt like everyone was looking at me but I knew that probably wasn't the case.

I tried to distract myself.

One way of doing that was singing ‘Running Up That Hill’ by Kate Bush on repeat in my head.

Another was thinking about whether I’d be allowed to nap under my desk after the workout.

But, I got through it.

Eventually, Jono announced there was 10 seconds left and he began counting down.

I had only gotten through 5 of the 13 exercises

Running up a treadmill at an incline of 8 was not easy. Picture: Supplied

At the end, I felt absolutely shattered but triumphant. I hadn’t completed every task but I felt good about what I had done. I was red-faced, gasping for air and, in the moment, felt like I would never recover.

It had been hard, and there were many times where I wanted to quit or cry during the routine. I’d felt so silly compared to all these people who were extremely fit. But, as I looked around the room, I could see I wasn’t the only one regretting my life choices that day.

Jono said the workout industry has shifted following the pandemic, with people changing from weight loss goals to more holistic approaches.

“I think it’s amazing. So many people create these toxic worlds in our head where it’s all about these crazy diets and having to train intensely every day,” he said.

“It’s a positive shift. We are finally seeing the benefits of what exercise is - it’s about movement. That could be something like today or a walk with friends.”

This workout was so much harder than anticipated. Picture: Supplied

After being in a world of pain, I was proud of what I achieved. Picture: Supplied

So, while I died doing this workout, I walked away knowing any movement is good movement.

After I finally caught my breath I went about my day and even played hockey that night.

The next day, after the workout, I was so sore. I could barely lift up my arms, my core hurt with every breath and I was walking around like a cowboy.

It’s not a workout I’d do every day - or even every week - but it’s definitely one to try if you’re looking to shake up your routine.

Until then, I will don cowboy boots so I don’t look too silly while my muscles soothe themselves.

The Terminal List drops on Prime Video on July 1.