Latest news with #MurphChallenge
Yahoo
3 days ago
- 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
28-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
'It's time,' Patina, a dress store that has served the valley for 40 years, is closing its doors
ROANOKE, Va. (WFXR) – A Roanoke County staple, Patina, a bridal and formal dress store, is closing its doors after 40 years in business. Its owner, Bonnie Jackson, says it's the state of the economy that's pushed her to close her longtime store. For four decades, Jackson has helped generations of young women throughout the valley find their perfect dress for any occasion. Boomtown CrossFit participates in the 'Murph Challenge' this Memorial Day 'I love my customers. I have so many good customers that come back to me and so many girls that got their homecoming and prom dresses here and now they're bringing their daughters in to get their prom dresses,' said Jackson. Jackson says she has thought about closing since the COVID-19 Pandemic, saying it really hurt her business. Now, with the threat of high tariffs on China, where Jackson gets most of her dresses, she says it's time to end this chapter. 'We couldn't survive in any kind of tariff situation where it's so high for China to ship us our goods,' said Jackson. Everything inside Patina is for sale, with huge discounts on homecoming, prom, and bridal dresses. Jackson says she has had people buying multiple dresses at a time because you 'just can't beat the price.' Last call for Beale's Tap Room in Bedford this May Jackson was going to close the store at the end of May, but since she still has so much merchandise left, she plans to stay open through June. Once Jackson has closed up shop for good with Patina, she plans to retire and do some of her favorite things: tennis and volunteer work. 'I will really miss doing this and helping all of them be beautiful. But it's time.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Rockford CrossFit athletes honor fallen Navy SEAL with ‘Murph Challenge' on Memorial Day
ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — While many Rockford-area residents spent Memorial Day at parades and barbecues, CrossFit athletes at CrossFit Supercell in Rockford dedicated their holiday to honoring fallen service members through the grueling 'Murph Challenge.' The workout, named after Navy SEAL Lt. Michael P. Murphy, who died in Afghanistan in 2005, is a tribute to his sacrifice and that of others who have died serving the country. 'It's hard. It's long. But you think of everything he went through while you're doing the workout,' said Dina Day, affiliate owner at CrossFit Supercell, at 4831 Colt Road. The Murph Challenge begins with a one-mile run, followed by 100 pull-ups, 200 push-ups, 300 air squats, and concludes with another one-mile run. Men who complete the 'full RX' version wear a 20-pound vest. Women's vests weigh 14 pounds. 'If you do the full RX, it's nasty,' CrossFit Supercell owner Jeremy Tangerose. 'But we have people that do it at all different levels. You can make it as easy or as hard on yourself as you want, as long as you remember why we're here.' Murph Challenge participant Susan Carner agrees. 'It's definitely to honor those and push yourself and to make it happen,' Carner said. Known as a 'chipper' because athletes can take their time, the challenge usually takes about an hour. 'You just chip away at it,' participant Jeremy Powers said. 'However long it takes, that's where you end up.' A New York native, Michael P. Murphy died on June 28, 2005. After his death, he was given the Silver Star, Purple Heart and the Medal of Honor. Murphy was 29. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Fox News
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Fox News
Memorial Day ‘Murph': Could you complete this military fitness challenge?
Print Close By Angelica Stabile Published May 25, 2025 Memorial Day is for remembering those who have made the ultimate sacrifice. As Americans honor the day in their own ways, people across the country will be participating in a tough fitness challenge honoring fallen Navy SEAL Lt. Michael Murphy. The challenge, known as "the Murph," consists of a variety of strength training and cardio activities, which Murphy himself used to complete during SEAL training. AMERICANS SHOULD HONOR MEMORIAL DAY IN THIS WAY, MILITARY SERVICE MEMBERS SUGGEST Murphy's former SEAL roommate, Kaj Larsen, told Fox News Digital how he also participated in these workouts, which have turned into a national movement of patriotism. "Murph and I would often run to the pull-up bars and then do this workout where we did 100 pull-ups, 200 push-ups and 300 air squats, and then we'd run back to our barracks room," Larsen said. "The total run was about a mile to the pull-up bars and a mile back, and this became one of Murph's favorite workouts." WHAT IS RUCKING? THIS POPULAR FITNESS TREND GOES BACK TO BASICS FOR BIG GAINS Murphy would often wear his body armor as a challenge, originally calling the workout "Body Armor." Now, tens of thousands of people on Memorial Day complete "the Murph." "It's a really beautiful way to honor him," Larsen said. "Murph would have loved the idea of thousands of people sacrificing through sweat. That was right up his alley." He added, "He loved working out. And I think he's smiling down on us as he sees us all doing one of his favorite workouts." "Murph would have loved the idea of thousands of people sacrificing through sweat." The classic Murph consists of the following exercises, in order or broken up: one-mile run 100 pull-ups 200 push-ups 300 air squats another one-mile run Murphy and Larsen would often do the workout with a 20-pound weighted vest, which is optional. ARMY UNVEILS NEW FITNESS TEST WITH TOUGHER STANDARDS – COULD YOU PASS IT? For those looking to attempt the Murph this Memorial Day, Larsen said there is "no one way" to do it. While some people train all year for the Murph, modifications are acceptable. This can include partitioning the reps of push-ups, pull-ups and squats into sets, or subbing out pull-ups for jumping pull-ups or assisted pull-ups with a band. The runs can also be walked, Larsen noted. "The point is to do something hard that challenges yourself in recognition and honor of those who have made the ultimate sacrifice," he said. "And if you do that, you have done the Murph." Act of heroism Larsen, currently head of military investing and communications at the military arm of Siebert Financial, spent 13 years in Naval Special Warfare as a SEAL and left the military at the rank of lieutenant commander. NYPD DETECTIVE SHARES GRUELING WORKOUTS TO MOTIVATE COPS TO GET IN SHAPE The veteran spent his rookie years with Murphy, who joined through Basic Underwater Demolition SEAL Training (BUDS) in 2001. SEAL Officer Murphy, the son of a New York firefighter who is originally from Long Island, was part of a team that specialized in long distance and special reconnaissance. In 2005, during his first combat deployment to Afghanistan, Murphy was part of Operation Red Wings, designed to go after a senior-level Taliban operative, Larsen described. The operation has been memorialized as one of the greatest losses in Naval Special Warfare history. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER Murphy's team was compromised, overwhelmed by superior forces as a firefight broke out. There were no survivors except for one SEAL, Marcus Luttrell. A Quick Reaction Force (QRF) helicopter with eight SEALs flew in to support the SEALs on the ground, Larsen said. This helicopter arrived due to Murphy's moment of heroism, where he exposed himself to "excessive enemy fire" to reach radio communication, Larsen recalled. "He got up on top of a boulder, which was the only place that he could make comms to call in the quick reaction force," he said. "This ended up saving the life of Marcus Luttrell." For more Health articles, visit "Mike was killed on June 28, 2005, in Afghanistan. They identified him in part because underneath his uniform, he was wearing a New York Fire Department T-shirt – FDNY T-Shirt – as a tribute to his dad, Daniel Murphy." Murphy received the Medal of Honor for his actions that day, and the U.S. Navy commissioned a battleship named the USS Michael Murphy. Operation Red Wings has since been immortalized in a book by Marcus Luttrell and in the movie "Lone Survivor" starring Mark Wahlberg. A museum in Murphy's honor was also built in his hometown of West Sayville, New York. "The Murph is hard, and it's designed to be hard." Murphy's workout was also picked up after his death by the CrossFit community, which turned it into a "massive cultural movement," Larsen said. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP "The Murph is hard, and it's designed to be hard," he added. "And I, for one, just appreciate everybody continuing to keep Murph and other soldiers like him who have paid the ultimate sacrifice in their hearts and in their minds." Print Close URL
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Medal of Honor hero Lt. Murphy inspires Murph Challenge
PEORIA Ill. (WMBD) — The Resilience Project undertakes the Murph Challenge to honor the legacy of a U.S. sailor and all veterans on Memorial Day weekend. It's the annual Lt. Michael Murphy challenge, named for the Navy SEAL who died in 2005 while in Afghanistan and in the process earned the Medal of Honor, the nation's highest award for valor. The Resilience Project was created by combat veterans with a goal to help other vets transition back into civilian life. 'Twenty-two veterans commit suicide a day, our goal is to reduce that in the Peoria area, down to zero,' said Dr. Ben Deig of Peoria Spine and Sport and also a veteran The group offers educational resources, some financial assistance, and a variety of physical and mental health services, and on Memorial Day weekend, the Murph Challenge as a way of fueling the help that the RP provides. The workout consists of a mile run, 100 pull-ups, 200 push-ups, 300 squats and another mile run. And you do all that while wearing 20 additional pounds of weight. The weight is akin to how Murphy used to wear body armor while undertaking his workout. Registration for the challenge ranges from $35 – $60. Added Deig: 'Not gonna lie, it's a tough workout' but also reminded that one doesn't need to do the challenge to donate, 'come out, hang out with us. It's more community engagement and building than it is to suffer through the workout.' The Murph Challenge begins at 10 a.m., May 24, at House Barbell Club, 7920 N. Sommer St., Peoria. Murphy was killed in late June 2005 during Operation Red Wings in Afghanistan. His four-man SEAL team was hunting a Taliban leader in Kunar province. Insurgents found his and his team's position and a furious firefight erupted. He was awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously for his courage when he abandoned cover in an effort to call for backup. The firefight and the battle were featured in the movie 'Lone Survivor.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
