Trainee gardai no longer required to complete sit-ups and push-ups

Push-ups and sit-ups have been removed from the garda recruitment physical test.

People applying to become trainee gardai must pass a series of requirements, including what An Garda Siochana bills as a “rigorous physical competency test”.

In 2023, Fianna Fail TD Jim O’Callaghan – who became Minister for Justice last month – raised concerns that the old test may have been too demanding and was potentially acting as a barrier to recruitment.

His comments came during a period where roughly one in six applicants were failing the test.

An external review of the test was started in summer 2024 with the aim of making sure it was achieving the best result for the requirements of being a garda.

The review was carried out by Dr Michael McCorry from Dundalk Institute of Technology’s Department of Humanities.

An Garda Siochana says the new test, which comes into effect immediately, continues to provide reassurance that prospective garda trainee candidates “possess the acceptable level of pre-employment physical fitness and competence”.

It says the test is reflective of the physical demands experienced by gardai, “robust enough” to discriminate between individuals who cannot meet the physical demands of the job, scientifically-based to ensure that standards are justifiable and reliable, and inclusive of margins for error to ensure that all applicants are treated fairly.

The updated test has two components which are a 20-metre beep test, immediately followed by an obstacle course.

The beep test last for four minutes and 54 seconds, while two circuits of the obstacle course must be completed in under three minutes and 10 seconds.

Applicants must complete both components in under eight minutes and four seconds in total. The combined pass time applies to all candidates regardless of age and gender.

The obstacle course includes a sprint start, weaving through cones, walking along a balance beam, lifting and carrying a car wheel, going under a barrier, a one-metre jump, a push and pull test, running up and down stairs, and a 10-metre sprint.

The new requirements include some changes over the old test, including the removal of a previous requirement for set amounts of sit-ups and push-ups.