What are some of the best creative PT Ideas to improve moral?

SSG Raymond Tobin — Fri, 13 Jun 2014 09:44:24 -0400

I'm currently assigned to do a few PT sessions with my Battalion and I was wondering if anyone had any creative PT sessions. Getting stuck in doing CD 1 & 2 and MMD's can lower morale. I'm looking for something fun that will get everyone involved and be beneficial to physical readiness. I've been thinking of sprint races with board questions and "poker pt". Any and all replies are greatly appreciated.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 13 at 2014 9:54 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 13 Jun 2014 09:54:53 -0400

Ruck marches. Start off at about 4 miles and work your way up to 12

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 16 at 2014 12:20 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 16 Jun 2014 12:20:19 -0400

SGT Tobin,

If creativity is what you are looking for, add land navigation in small teams (orienteering) to your PRT with different exercises at each location. You can either trust the honor system for the exercises, or have graders at each point. You can add to the mental agility by providing clues to the points, not necessary addresses, or grids.
Figure out the scoring so that a team that is quick doesn't necessarily win unless they also found every point, or that the team that finds every point, but is the last to arrive also doesn’t necessarily win. Devise rules about either all running together, or allowing the team to divide and conquer the points, but that forces strategy on the part of the competitors.
Another one I enjoy is adding bicycling. I broke the group into 3xperson teams, each with 1 bicycle. The course was a loop, again with stations with various PRT strength and conditioning exercises. Only one person could ride the bike at a time, and at each station they had to switch riders. Teams did not have to stay together, so could create the best rotation plan based on the strengths of their teammates. The loop could be as long as you want, but a 7-mile loop, with stations every mile worked well, as each team member would 'only' run 3 or 4 miles.

Anytime I do leader PRT I make it so we have good competition, and a good workout, but the main thing is the team building.

Jkp

Response by Cpl Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 16 at 2014 1:31 PM

Cpl Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 16 Jun 2014 13:31:23 -0400

TOUGH MUDDERS!

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 2 at 2015 6:38 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 02 Mar 2015 18:38:06 -0500

"Blue Falcon" PT- everyone in a circular formation taking turns picking an exercise. For example: "If your pt shoes are green do 15 push-ups." I introduced this to my platoon this morning and my soldiers absolutely loved it!

Response by CPT Zachary Brooks made Mar 2 at 2015 6:53 PM

CPT Zachary Brooks — Mon, 02 Mar 2015 18:53:50 -0500

Partner PT with exercises such as carrying the other person, wheelbarrows, etc. Allow them to determine who does which part (or break it up between them) but it builds camaraderie between the battle buddies and gets a smoker of a workout.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 2 at 2015 7:51 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 02 Mar 2015 19:51:51 -0500

SSG Raymond Tobin ultimate Frisbee. We used to do that in ROTC and that was a blast. I have done it as OES and it always goes over well. You can do it indoors if you have room or outdoors and just need a Frisbee. I have shown a few Soldiers once moves from Insanity which they laughed at. Then I made them do it and they were smoked with me as well. The key is mixing it up.

Response by MAJ(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 2 at 2015 8:06 PM

MAJ(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 02 Mar 2015 20:06:52 -0500

Team challenges are fun = two lines, two teams, race down to a point, do 10 push ups, race back, do 10 more, then your next team mate goes. Losing team does the APFT minimum for their age.

Then, round two. Insert burpees, or sit ups, or air squats. Losing team does minimum sit ups.

I set any type of exercise. It's fast paced and team oriented. Before you know it, you're smoked and you had fun doing it.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 2 at 2015 8:07 PM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 02 Mar 2015 20:07:48 -0500

Trivia PT.

Have a list of military history questions: They get it right- 2 min rest/ They get it wrong- 30 pushups or whatever exercise you want.

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Mar 2 at 2015 10:14 PM

SFC Mark Merino — Mon, 02 Mar 2015 22:14:08 -0500

If you are near aviation assets, we used to welcome troops who wanted to help push aircraft out onto the flight line for the early am flights. Your legs will thank you......the crewchiefs will LOVE you.

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Mar 2 at 2015 10:16 PM

SFC Mark Merino — Mon, 02 Mar 2015 22:16:43 -0500

We used to play poker. Black cards were sit ups/flutter kicks and red cards were push ups (diamonds & wide-arm). Best hand in the group missed a repetition.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 2 at 2015 11:37 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 02 Mar 2015 23:37:51 -0500

Lots of great suggestions on here. It may have been suggested, but I would advise you set up a circuit race with several stations. Depending on your unit size, I would assign different teams and turn it into a competition. To boost motivation for max performance, award an incentive to the winning team ( half day Friday or a three day pass are just a few ideas). Of course you will have to get command approval, but it's an idea.

Response by SGT Ray Grooms made Mar 3 at 2015 1:05 PM

SGT Ray Grooms — Tue, 03 Mar 2015 13:05:58 -0500

Yoga. Soldiers will think it is silly when they start but they will not be laughing halfway through it. It can be a very good workout if done correctly, and is a nice break from the same old PT program.

Response by CW4 Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 3 at 2015 6:49 PM

CW4 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 03 Mar 2015 18:49:07 -0500

Below is the basic concept of the Scavenger Hunt Poker Run PT session to include two photos. Let me know if you would like the full plan with physical challnges and additional information.

Mission:
USARPAC Leaders compete in a scavenger hunt poker run starting at the Takata Field at DTG IOT build camaraderie and improve physical fitness.

Concept of the Operation:
1. Teams of 2 or 3 will receive five clues to find five objects on Fort Shafter.
2. Teams must deploy with a digital camera or camera phone IOT document achievement of point.
3. Teams will also receive four physical challenges to be conducted at the baseball field.
4. Teams must return to Takata Field NLT 0730 or face penalty.

Rules:
1. Adhere to Fort Shafter rules and posted signs at all times.
2. Teams of four or five will be together at all times during the event.
3. Teams must not have more than two people from the same directorate/staff section.
4. All members of the team minus the photographer must be in the photo and within 50 feet of the scavenged object.
5. Teams will redeem photos/answers for poker cards at the end of the event. Correct answer AND associated photo = 1 poker card.
6. Designated judge must witness the team conduct the physical
challenge or it didn't happen. Completion of 1 physical challenge = 1 poker card.
7. Participants may not use transportation other than their LPCs.

Timeline:
0620 Accountability
0630 Reveille
0631 Safety Brief
0635 Hand out instructions and clues to Team Captains
NLT 0730 All teams submit photos and answer sheets to judges in exchange for
poker cards. Late arrivals will face penalties as determined by the OIC.
0735 Award presentation to winning team; EOM.

Resources needed:
2-4 decks of playing cards (decks will be provided)
1 set of rules, clues, scoresheet and writing utensil for each team (will be provided)
1 personally procured digital camera or phone camera per team (each team must bring a digital camera or phone camera capable)

Other:
1 judge per physical challenge
1 event coordinator

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 30 at 2015 2:13 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 30 Jun 2015 02:13:13 -0400

What about implementing climbing and guerilla drills? At 4/25 soldiers are afforded the opportunity to go to the gym. Look at You Tube for ideas as well.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 4 at 2015 9:52 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 04 Aug 2015 09:52:14 -0400

ZONK!!

Response by SGT Kristin Wiley made Aug 4 at 2015 11:03 AM

SGT Kristin Wiley — Tue, 04 Aug 2015 11:03:03 -0400

If you don't have any walking profiles, it's fun to do a sprinting game. You divide the group into two and make a 'track' with each group starting on opposite ends. Each individual takes turns sprinting around the track trying to catch the member of the other team. You want the teams as even as possible so it takes a while. Losing team does an exercise of choice. To make it more fun you can have them pass random objects to the next person in line (l use tennis balls).

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Aug 4 at 2015 1:03 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Tue, 04 Aug 2015 13:03:23 -0400

I did a river walk run at ft riley. I think it was 4 miles to the dam and a hot breakfast and busses waiting for the soldiers.

Response by 1LT Kathleen Heisler made Aug 4 at 2015 2:43 PM

1LT Kathleen Heisler — Tue, 04 Aug 2015 14:43:02 -0400

I like your ideas PT can be boring doing the same thing every day

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 20 at 2016 11:09 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 20 Feb 2016 23:09:17 -0500

MOUNTAIN-ATHLETE-WARRIOR
ASSESSMENTS google it and it will give you instructions in pdf. You will need to download a beep test for this. My platoon is doing this once a month for something different. You can also do pool pt if you have strong swimmers in your platoon they can easily put something together. I have 4 very strong swimmers in my platoon that have put a plan together and it is challenging and fun.

Response by Chris Grimm made Jun 19 at 2016 4:17 AM

Chris Grimm — Sun, 19 Jun 2016 04:17:29 -0400

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=IRDp5HcZyVA

Do this.

TIC TAC TOE - World's Best Warmup Game

Maybe the best form of warming up before intensive training. For sportsmen and -women of all ages ! Invented by Patrekur Johannesson, Coach of the Austrian H...

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 19 at 2016 4:19 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 19 Jun 2016 04:19:08 -0400

Team competitions are always fun.

Break your group into two smaller groups and do relay races. X amount of Y exercise, and then the next person goes. Winning team has the losing team do whatever exercise they want.

Or, one that I am rather fond of, is Tic-Tac-Toe:

Create a Tic-Tac-Toe board (hoola hoops work great, but sidewalk chalk is another option), and have the teams line up at a certain distance away. The lead team member sprints to the board, drops a designated marker (different color reflective belts work) in their block of choice, and sprint back (5 seconds to make a decision). Once they reach the starting line, the next person in line goes, and drops their marker in another spot. There is a total of 4 markers per team that can be used, therefore a cats game cannot be the result. First team to get three in a row, wins.

If a team reaches their maximum number of markers on the board, a marker that has already been placed must be picked up and moved to another available spot.

You can modify this however you wish, but it is a lot of fun.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 30 at 2017 9:06 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 30 Apr 2017 21:06:31 -0400

sharks and minnows

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 12 at 2020 6:37 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 12 Feb 2020 18:37:36 -0500

So, couple things.
I have a deck of playing cards that have Russian and Chinese weapon systems on them. We’ll play the card game with a twist. Proper ID gets a pass, wrong ID we’ll do the reps.

Second. I’ll bring equipment in from my home gym; rower, barbell, kettlebell and what have you and come up with a circuit

3Rd. Good old ground fighting

Pretty much anything that can be competitive is the way to go.