Latest news with #ArmyFitnessTest
Yahoo
02-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Could You Pass the Army's New Fitness Test? Here's What It Takes
There's arguably no greater test of physical and mental toughness than serving in the military. While the demands vary across branches, one thing is certain: the men and women who serve push their minds and bodies to the absolute limit. From running hundreds of miles and operating on just a few hours of sleep to enduring 20-hour training days, the mental resilience required is something most civilians will never experience. Today, countless fitness challenges aim to replicate just a fraction of that intensity. One well-known example is The Murph Challenge, a grueling CrossFit workout performed in honor of fallen Navy SEAL Lt. Michael P. Murphy. It mirrors elements of the physical tests service members face during training. In line with evolving fitness standards, the U.S. Army recently announced it will replace the current Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT) with the new Army Fitness Test (AFT)—a redesigned assessment to better measure soldiers' readiness and combat effectiveness. 'The AFT is designed to improve soldier readiness and ensure physical standards [and] prepare soldiers for the demands of modern warfare,' Sgt. Maj. Christopher Mullinax, senior enlisted leader, deputy chief of staff for Operations, Army Headquarters, said in a statement. 'It emphasizes holistic fitness over event-specific training and is grounded in performance.' According to the Army's website, the AFT will include the following five events: Three-repetition maximum deadlift Hand-release push-up Sprint-drag-carry Plank Two-mile run Although the tests are similar in structure, the standing power throw event is no longer a requirement, something that Nick Barringer, Ph.D., a tactical nutritional physiologist, says was a smart logistical move. However, he does think the addition of moves that test critical short-burst explosive output will be crucial. "Hopefully, we'll see something like the standing broad jump make a return," he says. "It's simple, low-equipment, and highly correlated with lower-body power and combat performance. If we're serious about building warfighters—not just passing scores—we need to keep explosive power in the equation. The speed that comes from lower body power is most indicative of surviving small arms fire."Barringer, who served in the 75th Ranger Regiment as a member of the Ranger Athlete Warrior (RAW) program, says that no tests will fully capture the physical demands of modern combat. "If what we're seeing out of Ukraine is any indication, the next warfighter may need less focus on brute force and more on agility—dodging drones, moving under surveillance, sprinting to cover in urban terrain," he says. However, he does state that the new test measures movement, strength, and work capacity better. "Until we see a test that includes evasive movement or decision-making under pressure, we're still just approximating," he adds. "That said, agility may become the next battlefield currency—and we're not training it nearly enough." The Army claims that the AFT is just one part of a broader holistic health and fitness initiative (H2F) that aims to build a culture of lifelong fitness and well-being for fighters. But according to Barringer, this shift is nothing new. "The shift has been happening—it's just been uneven," he says. "Special Operations started embracing holistic performance over a decade ago, and even before that, there were pockets of forward-thinking units running their own performance-based programs." Barringer points to standout units that are already embracing this holistic approach—and seeing real results. One example: the Bastogne Brigade H2F team at the 101st Airborne Division, which he says is "absolutely crushing it." But for that kind of success to scale, it has to start from the top. "World-class professionals, integrated care, and leadership that's all-in," he says. "That's the key—the science and infrastructure are there, but without leader buy-in, the program stalls. If we want to weaponize the potential of H2F, we need more units following the Bastogne model and treating soldier performance like the strategic asset it is." Could You Pass the Army's New Fitness Test? Here's What It Takes first appeared on Men's Journal on Jun 2, 2025
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Could you pass the Army's new physical fitness test?
The U.S. Army is rolling out a new fitness test from June 1 that will adopt new standards for all soldiers in combat roles. In a significant shift, the new fitness standards will be the same for men and women, said Army officials. The Army Fitness test is 'sex-neutral and age-normed,' and is 'designed to enhance soldier fitness, improve warfighting readiness, and increase the lethality of the force,' according to a news release. In a Frequently Asked Questions section about the new test, the Army said it is moving to a sex-neutral scoring standard for combat military occupational specialties because 'higher fitness standards are strictly aligned with the unique physical demands of specific roles, maintaining readiness, and mission effectiveness.' It noted that 'no administrative action will be taken regarding the AFT [Army Fitness Test] until January 1, 2026.' The Army FAQ also refers to President Donald Trump's executive order that states the federal government will only recognize two sexes — male and female — which campaigners say discriminates against transgender and non-binary people. It comes as Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has vowed to eliminate 'wokeness' from the Pentagon. 'No More Trans @ DoD,' Hegseth wrote in a post on X earlier this month. The Supreme Court has cleared the path for the Trump administration to enforce a ban on transgender people from serving in the military. Transgender active service members can 'separate voluntarily' until June 6 and could be eligible for voluntary separation pay. The deadline is July 7 for reserve members. Some transgender service members are challenging the policy in the courts by arguing that the new policy is a violation of their constitutional rights and is discriminatory. Dr. Jason Perry, a Florida primary care sports medicine physician with Baptist Health Orthopedic Care, told Fox News that the challenge is 'not impossible for the average person with a basic fitness foundation.' 'Generally speaking, the AFT is challenging,' he said. 'But [it's] not impossible for the average person with a basic fitness foundation. It's designed to test full-body strength, muscular endurance, speed, agility and cardiovascular stamina — all elements essential for combat readiness, but also relevant to functional fitness for civilians.' There are five exercises in the test: Three-repetition maximum deadlifts, hand-release push-ups with arm extensions, a sprint-drag-carry exercise, holding the plank position, and finally, a two-mile run. In the first exercise, soldiers are required to deadlift the maximum weight possible three times, using a 60-pound hex bar and plates. Then, they must complete as many hand-release push-ups as possible in two minutes, completely lowering the body to the ground and extending the arms to the side before starting the next push-up. For the sprint-drag-carry exercise, they must perform 5 x 50-meter shuttles as quickly as possible with a 2 x 40-pound kettlebell and a 90-pound sled. Soldiers must then hold the plank position for as long as possible to assess muscular endurance, before finishing off with a two-mile run on a 'generally flat outdoor course.'
The Independent
23-05-2025
- Health
- The Independent
Could you pass the Army's new physical fitness test?
In a significant shift, the new fitness standards will be the same for men and women, said Army officials. The Army Fitness test is 'sex-neutral and age-normed,' and is 'designed to enhance soldier fitness, improve warfighting readiness, and increase the lethality of the force,' according to a news release. In a Frequently Asked Questions section about the new test, the Army said it is moving to a sex-neutral scoring standard for combat military occupational specialties because 'higher fitness standards are strictly aligned with the unique physical demands of specific roles, maintaining readiness, and mission effectiveness.' It noted that 'no administrative action will be taken regarding the AFT [Army Fitness Test] until January 1, 2026.' The Army FAQ also refers to President Donald Trump 's executive order that states the federal government will only recognize two sexes — male and female — which campaigners say discriminates against transgender and non-binary people. It comes as Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has vowed to eliminate 'wokeness' from the Pentagon. 'No More Trans @ DoD,' Hegseth wrote in a post on X earlier this month. The Supreme Court has cleared the path for the Trump administration to enforce a ban on transgender people from serving in the military. Transgender active service members can 'separate voluntarily' until June 6 and could be eligible for voluntary separation pay. The deadline is July 7 for reserve members. Some transgender service members are challenging the policy in the courts by arguing that the new policy is a violation of their constitutional rights and is discriminatory. What's in the new Army Fitness Test? Dr. Jason Perry, a Florida primary care sports medicine physician with Baptist Health Orthopedic Care, told Fox News that the challenge is 'not impossible for the average person with a basic fitness foundation.' 'Generally speaking, the AFT is challenging,' he said. 'But [it's] not impossible for the average person with a basic fitness foundation. It's designed to test full-body strength, muscular endurance, speed, agility and cardiovascular stamina — all elements essential for combat readiness, but also relevant to functional fitness for civilians.' There are five exercises in the test: Three-repetition maximum deadlifts, hand-release push-ups with arm extensions, a sprint-drag-carry exercise, holding the plank position, and finally, a two-mile run. In the first exercise, soldiers are required to deadlift the maximum weight possible three times, using a 60-pound hex bar and plates. Then, they must complete as many hand-release push-ups as possible in two minutes, completely lowering the body to the ground and extending the arms to the side before starting the next push-up. For the sprint-drag-carry exercise, they must perform 5 x 50-meter shuttles as quickly as possible with a 2 x 40-pound kettlebell and a 90-pound sled. Soldiers must then hold the plank position for as long as possible to assess muscular endurance, before finishing off with a two-mile run on a 'generally flat outdoor course.'
New York Post
23-05-2025
- Health
- New York Post
Can you pass the new Army fitness test?
'Army Strong' is more than just a tagline — for soldiers, it's a requirement for duty. The U.S. Army requires that all active-duty soldiers prove their physical prowess by passing a rigorous fitness test. There have been multiple versions of the test over the years, and the Army recently announced that a new version has been adopted. On June 1, 2025, the military branch will roll out its new Army Fitness Test (AFT) as a replacement for the current Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT). The new test, based on '18 months of data analysis and feedback from thousands of test iterations,' will introduce updated scoring standards that emphasize 'readiness and combat effectiveness,' according to an Army press release. Soldiers will have until Jan. 1, 2026, to meet the new AFT requirements without facing 'adverse actions.' AFT scores are recorded during basic training for soldiers and initial training for officers, the Army states on its website. Active-duty soldiers are required to complete the test twice a year, while soldiers in the Army Reserve and Army National Guard must record scores once a year. 'The AFT is designed to improve soldier readiness and ensure physical standards [and] prepare soldiers for the demands of modern warfare,' said Sgt. Maj Christopher Mullinax, senior enlisted leader, deputy chief of staff for Operations, Army Headquarters, in the release. 6 On June 1, 2025, the military branch will roll out its new Army Fitness Test (AFT) as a replacement for the current Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT). WavebreakmediaMicro – 'It emphasizes holistic fitness over event-specific training and is grounded in performance.' Scoring requirements are more demanding for the new test, with soldiers in combat roles held to the highest standards. 'Combat standards are sex-neutral for the 21 direct combat roles, a change designed to ensure fairness and operational readiness,' the release states. 5 components of the test The AFT consists of the following five events, as described on the Army's website. 6 Active-duty soldiers are required to complete the test twice a year, while soldiers in the Army Reserve and Army National Guard must record scores once a year. WavebreakMediaMicro – 1. Three-repetition maximum deadlift In this challenge, the soldier must lift the maximum weight possible three times using a 60-pound hex bar and plates. This move assesses muscular strength, balance, and flexibility. 'Deadlifts require a person to recruit glute and hamstring strength in order to lift a barbell off the ground to waist height,' said Miles Hill, a certified personal trainer and boxing instructor at Rumble in New York City. 'It is the most effective technique for picking heavy weights off the ground.' The deadlift can also be dangerous for civilians if they use improper form, warned Dr. Hooman Melamed, an orthopedic spine surgeon and sports medicine expert from Beverly Hills. 'If your posture or form is off, the risk to your lower back and hips is high — it could be a career-ending injury for some,' he told Fox News Digital. 2. Hand-release push-up The soldier must complete as many hand-release push-ups as possible in two minutes, using proper technique. 'Hand release push-ups require a person to drop all the way to the ground, lift their hands in the air for a second, and then push themselves back up to high plank,' said Hill, who is also a second-degree black belt in Taekwondo. Melamed noted that while hand-release push-ups are great for building upper body strength, if the person is not already strong, the sudden force can damage the shoulders. The hand-release push-up tests muscular endurance and flexibility. 3. Sprint-drag-carry With the sprint-drag-carry (SDC), the soldier is tasked with completing five 50-meter shuttles (sprint, drag, lateral, carry, sprint) as quickly as possible, using two 40-pound kettlebells and a 90-pound sled. 6 The new test will introduce updated scoring standards that emphasize 'readiness and combat effectiveness,' according to an Army press release. WavebreakMediaMicro – 'The sprint-drag-carry is probably the toughest sequence here, since it requires explosive strength, muscular endurance, and cardiovascular endurance,' Hill said. Melamed calls the SDC a 'brutal test of speed and explosive power.' 'If you're not conditioned, tearing a hamstring or pulling something mid-run can happen,' he said. 4. Plank The soldier must maintain a proper plank position for as long as possible, testing muscular endurance and balance. 6 Soldiers will have until Jan. 1, 2026, to meet the new AFT requirements without facing 'adverse actions.' LIGHTFIELD STUDIOS – 'A plank is an ultimate test of core strength and endurance, as it requires a person to hold their body weight for as long as they can,' said Hill. 'It can be challenging, but it is the time requirement that determines the challenge.' Melamed noted that while this move looks simple, holding a proper plank for time is extremely challenging. 'It exposes weaknesses in the back, core, and shoulder girdle.' 5. Two-mile run The soldier must complete a timed two-mile run on a flat outdoor course in a test of aerobic endurance. 'Two-mile runs are relatively easy for any able-bodied human; however, the time constraints are what make it challenging,' Hill said. The standing power throw event, which was part of the previous version of the test, is no longer included as a requirement. 'We eliminated the standing power throw because it wasn't effectively promoting fitness and readiness as well as we would like,' Mullinax said. 'Furthermore, it presented an elevated risk of overuse injury and encouraged soldiers to focus on technique rather than demonstrating true power.' How tough is it? The toughness of a workout or fitness test is relative to the overall fitness of an individual, according to Dr. Jason Perry, M.D., primary care sports medicine physician with Baptist Health Orthopedic Care in Deerfield Beach, Florida. 'Generally speaking, the AFT is challenging, but not impossible for the average person with a basic fitness foundation,' Perry, who is unaffiliated with the Army, told Fox News Digital. 'It's designed to test full-body strength, muscular endurance, speed, agility, and cardiovascular stamina — all elements essential for combat readiness, but also relevant to functional fitness for civilians.' Compared to a typical gym workout, the AFT is more demanding because it combines different physical domains into one test, he said. 'Compared to elite athletic training, it's moderate—but not easy,' Perry added. For civilians who regularly strength train, run, or do functional workouts (like CrossFit or HIIT), this test is well within reach, he said. 6 AFT scores are recorded during basic training for soldiers and initial training for officers, the Army states on its website. DZiegler – For a civilian who exercises three to four times a week, the AFT is 'realistically achievable' with focused training over an eight- to 12-week period. 'About 30 to 50% of healthy, recreationally active adults could likely pass it with little to moderate training,' he predicted. 'Sedentary adults or those with chronic conditions would have a harder time and would likely need a focused eight-to-12-week (or possibly longer) conditioning plan to pass.' Melamed wasn't quite as optimistic, estimating that less than 5% of civilians could pass the AFT. 'These aren't weekend-warrior workouts — this is military-level conditioning,' he told Fox News Digital. 'You have to work your way up to this level of intensity training.' 6 For a civilian who exercises three to four times a week, the AFT is 'realistically achievable' with focused training over an eight- to 12-week period, according to reports. vectorfusionart – The expert also noted that there is a mental component to the test, but said mindset alone isn't enough. 'If you try this unprepared, you could get seriously hurt,' he cautioned. 'It's doable — but only with smart, progressive training. You have to work up to it gradually.' 'And this test is as much about strategy and recovery as it is about raw strength.'
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Army unveils new fitness test with tougher standards — could you pass it?
"Army Strong" is more than just a tagline — for soldiers, it's a requirement for duty. The U.S. Army requires that all active-duty soldiers prove their physical prowess by passing a rigorous fitness test. There have been multiple versions of the test over the years — and the Army recently announced that a new version has been adopted. On June 1, 2025, the military branch will roll out its new Army Fitness Test (AFT) as a replacement for the current Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT). Walking Certain Number Of Steps Daily Reduces Cancer Risk, Oxford Study Finds The new test — based on "18 months of data analysis and feedback from thousands of test iterations" — will introduce updated scoring standards that emphasize "readiness and combat effectiveness," according to an Army press release. Soldiers will have until Jan. 1, 2026, to meet the new AFT requirements without facing "adverse actions." Read On The Fox News App AFT scores are recorded during basic training for soldiers and initial training for officers, the Army states on its website. Active-duty soldiers are required to complete the test twice a year, while soldiers in the Army Reserve and Army National Guard must record scores once a year. Exercise Can Prevent Cognitive Decline Even When Energy Lags, Researchers Discover "The AFT is designed to improve soldier readiness and ensure physical standards [and] prepare soldiers for the demands of modern warfare," said Sgt. Maj. Christopher Mullinax, senior enlisted leader, deputy chief of staff for Operations, Army Headquarters, in the release. "It emphasizes holistic fitness over event-specific training and is grounded in performance." Scoring requirements are more demanding for the new test, with soldiers in combat roles held to the highest standards. "Combat standards are sex-neutral for the 21 direct combat roles, a change designed to ensure fairness and operational readiness," the release states. The AFT consists of the following five events, as described on the Army's website. In this challenge, the soldier must lift the maximum weight possible three times using a 60-pound hex bar and plates. This move assesses muscular strength, balance and flexibility. "Deadlifts require a person to recruit glute and hamstring strength in order to lift a barbell off the ground to waist height," said Miles Hill, a certified personal trainer and boxing instructor at Rumble in New York City. "It is the most effective technique for picking heavy weights off the ground." The deadlift can also be dangerous for civilians if they use improper form, warned Dr. Hooman Melamed, an orthopedic spine surgeon and sport medicine expert from Beverly Hills. "If your posture or form is off, the risk to your lower back and hips is high — it could be a career-ending injury for some," he told Fox News Digital. The soldier must complete as many hand-release push-ups as possible in two minutes, using proper technique. "Hand release push-ups require a person to drop all the way to the ground, lift their hands in the air for a second, and then push themselves back up to high plank," said Hill, who is also a second-degree black belt in Taekwondo. Nypd Detective Shares Grueling Workouts To Motivate Cops To Get In Shape Melamed noted that while hand-release push-ups are great for building upper body strength, if the person is not already strong, the sudden force can damage the shoulders. The hand-release push-up tests muscular endurance and flexibility. With the sprint-drag-carry (SDC), the soldier is tasked with completing five 50-meter shuttles (sprint, drag, lateral, carry, sprint) as quickly as possible, using two 40-pound kettlebells and a 90-pound sled. "The sprint-drag-carry is probably the toughest sequence here, since it requires explosive strength, muscular endurance and cardiovascular endurance," Hill said. Melamed calls the SDC a "brutal test of speed and explosive power." "If you're not conditioned, tearing a hamstring or pulling something mid-run can happen," he said. The soldier must maintain a proper plank position for as long as possible, testing muscular endurance and balance. "A plank is an ultimate test of core strength and endurance, as it requires a person to hold their body weight for as long as they can," said Hill. "It can be challenging, but it is the time requirement that determines the challenge." Crunches By Age: Here's How Many You Should Be Able To Do Melamed noted that while this move looks simple, holding a proper plank for time is extremely challenging. "It exposes weaknesses in the back, core and shoulder girdle." The soldier must complete a timed two-mile run on a flat outdoor course in a test of aerobic endurance. "Two-mile runs are relatively easy for any able-bodied human — however, the time constraints are what make it challenging," Hill said. The standing power throw event, which was part of the previous version of the test, is no longer included as a requirement. "We eliminated the standing power throw because it wasn't effectively promoting fitness and readiness as well as we would like," Mullinax said. "Furthermore, it presented an elevated risk of overuse injury and encouraged soldiers to focus on technique rather than demonstrating true power." The toughness of a workout or fitness test is relative to the overall fitness of an individual, according to Dr. Jason Perry, M.D., primary care sports medicine physician with Baptist Health Orthopedic Care in Deerfield Beach, Florida. Stay Fit In Your 40S And Beyond With These Smart Workout Tips "Generally speaking, the AFT is challenging, but not impossible for the average person with a basic fitness foundation," Perry, who is unaffiliated with the Army, told Fox News Digital. "It's designed to test full-body strength, muscular endurance, speed, agility and cardiovascular stamina — all elements essential for combat readiness, but also relevant to functional fitness for civilians." Click Here To Sign Up For Our Health Newsletter Compared to a typical gym workout, the AFT is more demanding because it combines different physical domains into one test, he said. "Compared to elite athletic training, it's moderate — but not easy," Perry added. For civilians who regularly strength train, run or do functional workouts (like CrossFit or HIIT), this test is well within reach, he said. For a civilian who exercises three to four times a week, the AFT is "realistically achievable" with focused training over an eight- to 12-week period. "About 30 to 50% of healthy, recreationally active adults could likely pass it with little to moderate training," he predicted. "Sedentary adults or those with chronic conditions would have a harder time and would likely need a focused eight- to 12-week (or possibly longer) conditioning plan to pass." Melamed wasn't quite as optimistic, estimating that less than 5% of civilians could pass the AFT. "These aren't weekend-warrior workouts — this is military-level conditioning," he told Fox News Digital. "You have to work your way up to this level of intensity training." The expert also noted that there is a mental component to the test, but said mindset alone isn't enough. For more Health articles, visit "If you try this unprepared, you could get seriously hurt," he cautioned. "It's doable — but only with smart, progressive training. You have to work up to it gradually." "And this test is as much about strategy and recovery as it is about raw strength."Original article source: Army unveils new fitness test with tougher standards — could you pass it?
