Latest news with #ChristopherMullinax
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?
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Army makes combat arms fitness test sex-neutral, drops ball throw
The Army has reconfigured its fitness test, dropping the ball throw, making the test sex-neutral for combat arms and raising the minimum required score for 21 combat-focused jobs. The exact scoring won't be published until early May, officials said. Meanwhile, soldiers will now perform the deadlift, pushups, sprint-drag-carry, plank and two-mile run for the renamed Army Fitness Test, which, starting in June, will drop the former designation as the Army Combat Fitness Test when it becomes the service's fitness test of record. For the rest of the 200-plus Army jobs not on the combat list, soldiers must score a minimum of 300 points and at least 60 points in each category to pass. Army to replace athletic trainers with strength coaches on H2F teams Combat arms soldiers must score 350, also with a minimum of 60 points in each event, though these soldiers will need more points in some events to reach the 350 threshold. Soldiers in the 21 combat arms jobs who do not pass on first or subsequent authorized attempts will be reviewed for job reclassification, officials said. Sgt. Maj. Christopher Mullinax, the enlisted leader for the Army's G-3/5/7 office, and Command Sgt. Maj. Joann Naumann, senior enlisted for Army Special Operations Command, told reporters on Tuesday that the service dropped the 'combat' designator for the test's title because it was redundant. The purpose of all Army training is to prepare for combat, Mullinax said. Following a detailed review of each of the events, researchers with the RAND Corporation noted the steep technique learning curve of the 10-pound medicine ball throw as not benefiting the intent of the test, which is to build explosive power, Mullinax said. With the removal of the ball throw, the maximum score possible drops from 600 points to 500 points under the new configuration. Male and female soldiers serving in one of the 21 combat arms jobs listed by the Army must pass each event under the 350-point standard for a successful test, regardless of gender. The tests are likely to remain 'age-normed,' which means that scoring is adjusted for the age of the soldier, officials said. Final scoring details won't be released until May. Army officials listed the following jobs that must meet the 350-point minimum standard: 11A Infantry Officer 11B Infantryman 11C Indirect Fire Infantryman (Mortarman) 11Z Infantry Senior Sergeant 12A Engineer 12B Combat Engineer 13A Field Artillery Officer 13F Fire Support Specialist 18A-Z Special Forces officer, Weapons Sergeant, Engineer Sergeant, Medical Sergeant, Communications Sergeant, Intelligence Sergeant and Senior Sergeant 180A Special Forces Warrant Officer 19A Armor Officer 19C Bradley Crew Member 19D Cavalry Scout 19K M1 Armor Crewman 19Z Armor Senior Sergeant Discussing the change, Naumann shared her experience in passing assessment and selection for special operations in the early 2000s and said that achieving that standard helped her maintain credibility with the force. 'I see this as a positive for women in combat roles because it's the same standard,' Naumann said. Implementation guidance is scheduled to publish in May. The test will become the official test of record in June. New scoring standards for the combat arms jobs will take effect in January 2026. The scoring standard for combat jobs will become the standard for the Guard and Reserve in June 2026, according to Army officials.
Boston Globe
22-04-2025
- Health
- Boston Globe
Women soldiers will have to pass ‘sex-neutral' physical test, US Army Says
Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up The new fitness test is very similar to the previous one. It consists of five events: dead lifts, push-ups, planks, a 2-mile run and a workout where soldiers sprint, then drag a weighted sled and carry kettlebells. Advertisement The new Army Fitness Test eliminates the standing power throw, an event sometimes called the ball yeet, which is widely disliked by service members; it requires soldiers to throw a 10-pound medicine ball backward over their heads. The biggest overall change will be in how the test is scored for 21 close combat occupations that are likely to be involved in heavy fighting in wartime: Women in those categories will be graded on the 'male' scale, which is likely to significantly reduce the number of them who meet the requirements. Advertisement For example, to pass the dead lift event, women ages 17 to 21 will need to lift at least 140 pounds, instead of the 120 required under the old standards. They will also have to run 2 miles in 22 minutes, instead of 23 minutes and 22 seconds. After their introduction in June, active duty soldiers in the 21 combat specialties will be held to the new standards in January 2026, and National Guard and Reserve troops will need to meet them by June. The test for noncombat units, also called combat-enabling roles, will continue to be assessed based on sex and age, the Army said. If a currently enlisted close combat unit member cannot pass the new test, they would be required to change their military occupation, said Sgt. Maj. Christopher Mullinax. The new test comes three weeks after Hegseth ordered the elimination of lower physical fitness standards for women in combat positions. In 2022, the Army had eased the standards for women and older members. Hegseth, a former National Guard infantryman and Fox News host, has previously opposed the inclusion of women in some combat roles. In a recent book, he wrote that 'women cannot physically meet the same standards as men.' 'Dads push us to take risks,' he wrote. 'Moms put the training wheels on our bikes. We need moms. But not in the military, especially in combat units.' He later backtracked, saying in December that 'if we have the right standard and women meet that standard, Roger, let's go.' This article originally appeared in Advertisement
