New Army PT Test Geared for Demands of Battlefield

by Alex A. Kecskes

The U.S. Army is overhauling its outdated physical training test. Instead of running farther and harder, it's now geared toward survival in the battlefield.

The old PT test--with its emphasis on pushups, sit-ups and a two-mile run--is being replaced by sprinting and other high-intensity exercises that mimic the challenges soldiers face in combat. Soldiers will be challenged on their ability to start, stop, change direction, get up and get down. The goal is to prepare troopers to carry the gear they'll need in combat—things like body armor, weapons, ammo and other equipment that can weigh from 50 pounds to well over 100 pounds, depending on the soldier’s job.

The new PT regimen consists of weekly and monthly exercise routines designed to build strength, endurance and mobility. Each day’s workout is designed to take between 60 and 90 minutes. There are core-strengthening and hip-stability drills and multiple climbing drills designed around simple pull-up bars. Although the long runs are gone, running will still be part of the training. Troopers will no longer run to distance, but to time.

One running drill involves sprinting for 30 seconds and walking for 60 seconds. Troopers say it's a lot harder than it sounds, since rep 10 must be the same intensity as rep one. Another aspect of the new PT program is injury rehabilitation which focuses on bringing recovering soldiers’ fitness up to the level it was prior to the injury.

The workout routines vary by unit type. Units in the Army Force Generation Model, for example, will follow workouts designed for each of the three cycles--reset, train/ready and available. Some routines require soldiers to exercise in their Army Combat Uniforms and combat kit. They'll sprint 50 yards in full battle gear and jump a low wall.