Fitness levels to be a postman

messenger012013256 · Post by **messenger012013256** » 09 Aug 2015, 08:13

I have had a few weeks on the job and I want to pass on my experiences about how fit and active you need to be to do this job.

I have a pedometer on my phone and it records how far you travel. My shortest distance I have walked in a day so far was 10 miles and the longest was 14. The routes worked out on a map may be shorter but you have to factor in walking up and down each driveway and up and down stairs all day in blocks of flats.

Your bag can weigh a maximum of 16kg. That is your weight limit which must not be exceeded. You can reach this weight quite easily on high volume mail days when you fill your bag with bundles of mail and parcels as well as a water bottle (trust me you will need that). Obviously the bag gets lighter as you deliver mail. You are expected to walk at a constant 4mph with that heavy bag all day otherwise your partner will be tapping his foot and cursing you when you get back to the van.

I am in my early 30s and I used to work in a job which meant I was on my feet all day up to 10 hour shifts moving kitchen appliances around so I thought I was fit enough to be a post man. I don't mind admitting that I am struggling so far.

Wednesdays, Thursdays and sometimes Fridays are days where we get loads of mail which takes a lot longer to deliver. One day last week I finished at 5pm even after someone took a few bags of mail off us and delivered it for us.

This is and honest account of the physical requirements needed. some days are light days when you finish on time and go home at 3pm.

So if you think you can carry up to 16kg on your shoulder while walking 4mph for up to 14 miles in a day which can last up to 8 hours. . . then you might just make it. The way I see it, every postman is an athlete.

peshwaarinaan · Post by **peshwaarinaan** » 09 Aug 2015, 11:57

Well said messenger. I have just completed my second week. I am a 47 year old female and was fit when I started thankfully. It's tiring but do-able but I only work Weds to Sat. The rain doesn't bother me but I find it incredibly draining working in the heat. Thankfully that's not something I need to worry about in this country as the weather is usually rubbish!

DGP1 · Post by **DGP1** » 09 Aug 2015, 19:19

Posties, fitter than the marines.

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BexyB9 · Post by **BexyB9** » 09 Aug 2015, 20:05

messenger012013256 wrote:I have had a few weeks on the job and I want to pass on my experiences about how fit and active you need to be to do this job.

I have a pedometer on my phone and it records how far you travel. My shortest distance I have walked in a day so far was 10 miles and the longest was 14. The routes worked out on a map may be shorter but you have to factor in walking up and down each driveway and up and down stairs all day in blocks of flats.

Your bag can weigh a maximum of 16kg. That is your weight limit which must not be exceeded. You can reach this weight quite easily on high volume mail days when you fill your bag with bundles of mail and parcels as well as a water bottle (trust me you will need that). Obviously the bag gets lighter as you deliver mail. You are expected to walk at a constant 4mph with that heavy bag all day otherwise your partner will be tapping his foot and cursing you when you get back to the van.

I am in my early 30s and I used to work in a job which meant I was on my feet all day up to 10 hour shifts moving kitchen appliances around so I thought I was fit enough to be a post man. I don't mind admitting that I am struggling so far.

Wednesdays, Thursdays and sometimes Fridays are days where we get loads of mail which takes a lot longer to deliver. One day last week I finished at 5pm even after someone took a few bags of mail off us and delivered it for us.

This is and honest account of the physical requirements needed. some days are light days when you finish on time and go home at 3pm.

So if you think you can carry up to 16kg on your shoulder while walking 4mph for up to 14 miles in a day which can last up to 8 hours. . . then you might just make it. The way I see it, every postman is an athlete.

_________________________________________________________________________________________
The union rep in our office said that we shouldn't be carrying over 5kg in a mail pouch these days. If it's over that, we should be using a light weight trolley, otherwise, if caught, it's a disciplinary offence.

matthew68 · Post by **matthew68** » 10 Aug 2015, 21:33

messenger012013256 wrote:I have had a few weeks on the job and I want to pass on my experiences about how fit and active you need to be to do this job.

I have a pedometer on my phone and it records how far you travel. My shortest distance I have walked in a day so far was 10 miles and the longest was 14. The routes worked out on a map may be shorter but you have to factor in walking up and down each driveway and up and down stairs all day in blocks of flats.

Your bag can weigh a maximum of 16kg. That is your weight limit which must not be exceeded. You can reach this weight quite easily on high volume mail days when you fill your bag with bundles of mail and parcels as well as a water bottle (trust me you will need that). Obviously the bag gets lighter as you deliver mail. You are expected to walk at a constant 4mph with that heavy bag all day otherwise your partner will be tapping his foot and cursing you when you get back to the van.

I am in my early 30s and I used to work in a job which meant I was on my feet all day up to 10 hour shifts moving kitchen appliances around so I thought I was fit enough to be a post man. I don't mind admitting that I am struggling so far.

Wednesdays, Thursdays and sometimes Fridays are days where we get loads of mail which takes a lot longer to deliver. One day last week I finished at 5pm even after someone took a few bags of mail off us and delivered it for us.

This is and honest account of the physical requirements needed. some days are light days when you finish on time and go home at 3pm.

So if you think you can carry up to 16kg on your shoulder while walking 4mph for up to 14 miles in a day which can last up to 8 hours. . . then you might just make it. The way I see it, every postman is an athlete.

when you get used to it , it's not that bad I suggest use your trolley I always do it makes walking a lot easier and long term you will damage your shoulder or back if you keep carrying it ,walk at a decent pace don't run and the job is ok if you are going over your time and walking 10 miles you must have some big walks, on mine it's about 6-7 mikes a day although some are quite hill and long and it takes 4 and half to 5 hours ,you shouldn't be doing a walk for 8 hours that hasn't been agreed and if you are , are you taking your breaks?

messenger012013256 · Post by **messenger012013256** » 18 Aug 2015, 10:16

@matthew

No one I have worked with so far uses those trolleys but I have seen them in the back of vans. I don't want to look out of place as "the newbie that uses the trolley"

. That 14 mile walk took us so long (8 hours) because the frame was not prepared and it took me ages to prep it because I had not done the walk before. Also, there were loads of packets and parcels.

Update all: Yesterday I went on the longest walk in our office, 16 miles or 32,000 steps according to my phone data (remember this is not straight line measurements this takes into account walking up and down garden paths etc. all day). Because it was a light mail day and the walk was half prepped me and my partner finished at 4.30. The bags were light too, I would guess around 5kg.

I still feel like I have ran a marathon today though.

I am doing the same walk on Wednesday. Not looking forward to that

Post by **TrueBlueTerrier** » 18 Aug 2015, 16:14

Dont let it worry you messenger - we have all been there. For me it was about 6 to 8 weeks in and then all of a sudden my brain and body got used to it and I was finishing at reasonable times.

peshwaarinaan · Post by **peshwaarinaan** » 18 Aug 2015, 17:20

I am in my 4th week and share a van. The person I share with is always back before me and waiting for me but I am going as fast as I can without making mistakes. I don't work the full week and he always makes a point of saying that they finish much quicker when he has an experienced person with him

. (but the days I don't work are Monday and Tuesday which are much lighter..........)

wannabeek · Post by **wannabeek** » 18 Aug 2015, 19:41

peshwaarinaan wrote:I am in my 4th week and share a van. The person I share with is always back before me and waiting for me but I am going as fast as I can without making mistakes. I don't work the full week and he always makes a point of saying that they finish much quicker when he has an experienced person with him . (but the days I don't work are Monday and Tuesday which are much lighter..........)

Well of course they would get round quicker. Don't let anyone intimidate you into rushing, it takes several weeks to do it on autopilot without mistakes. Just remembering which side each gate opens at every entrance before you get to it makes a massive difference when there are hundreds of them, and there's no way you'd normally have all that locked in your brain from just the first few weeks - especially as you aren't doing full weeks, only part weeks.

It was six weeks before I was at the usual standard, and those were full weeks, either 5 or 6 days each.

peshwaarinaan · Post by **peshwaarinaan** » 19 Aug 2015, 18:05

Thanks wannabeek, I could go faster but I know I'd make mistakes. I am getting quicker and more confident but it takes time and I'd rather get it right.

wannabepostie · Post by **wannabepostie** » 06 Feb 2018, 10:41

Hi All,

I am 51 years old, too old ?

I consider myself in decent shape, i do a lot of running and looking at part time options for postman, it would suit me as its advertised at around 4 hours day, 5 days a week. At the moment doing a desk job so worried if i go for it the first four weeks will do me in. I just want a better quality of life outside in the fresh air and can afford the pay hit having no morgage.

thanks for any input.

Post by **POSTMAN** » 06 Feb 2018, 12:50

wannabepostie wrote:Hi All,

I am 51 years old, too old ?

I consider myself in decent shape, i do a lot of running and looking at part time options for postman, it would suit me as its advertised at around 4 hours day, 5 days a week. At the moment doing a desk job so worried if i go for it the first four weeks will do me in. I just want a better quality of life outside in the fresh air and can afford the pay hit having no morgage.

thanks for any input.

Fitness wise you'll be fine, now mentally, that's another story.
Also what they advertise is usually wrong.You will be expected to work longer hrs and in 'some' offices it will be frowned upon if you don't by management.

Post by **fb1969** » 06 Feb 2018, 14:46

I joined after 25+ years in office jobs and physically I've survived. But as postman says, mentally is another matter and the actual hours they want you for probably won't be what is advertised.

Unless things have changed since I joined in 2012 you also need to be aware of RM's recruitment process. It is usually extremely slow until, if successful, they offer you a job - at that point you will possibly get just a week's notice of your Induction Day, with your start at the delivery office being the day after. So if you currently have to give more than a week's notice you may have a problem.

CCH · Post by **CCH** » 02 Jul 2019, 21:02

I have just started my third week as a Postman, 25 hours a week after retiring from my last Job, I turn 60 in two weeks time. Fitness wise I’m doing fine, I walk to and from the delivery office, 4 mile round trip, making my walking day around 14 miles including the commute. A few aches and pains but really enjoying it. I’m working 25 hours over four days, it took me four days to wrap myself around the walk so I feel comfortable. I’ve worked with four great guys so far who are happy for me to build up my experience and speed, my advice albeit from a novice is persevere, keep at it and don’t worry, fitness will come over time.

supertouring · Post by **supertouring** » 07 Jul 2019, 18:57

wannabepostie wrote:Hi All,

I am 51 years old, too old ?

I consider myself in decent shape, i do a lot of running and looking at part time options for postman, it would suit me as its advertised at around 4 hours day, 5 days a week. At the moment doing a desk job so worried if i go for it the first four weeks will do me in. I just want a better quality of life outside in the fresh air and can afford the pay hit having no morgage.

thanks for any input.

Im 52, so clearly not.
It is a shock to start, regardless of your perceived fitness, but you get used to it over time. Took me quite a while but now I manage most days without issue.
Having regular massages helps.

I had a desk job most of my life and it is 100% better than that.

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