APFT alternate event: 6.2-Mile Stationary-Cycle Ergometer Test, what's the best way to train for it? Can you use the ergometer bike at MWR?

2018-09-25T00:09:46-04:00

When I was stationed at Fort Sam Houston they had a ergometer bike in view of the front desk and I trained on that for my APFT. I PCSed to Fort Gordon and inquired at Victory Gym 3 on base to see when you could sign up to use it. The gym employee told me its only used for APFTs. When I told her I wanted to also train on it she told me it was not allowed as that was cheating.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 25 at 2018 12:18 AM

2018-09-25T00:18:21-04:00

It's not cheating, but the bike is not supposed to be used for training either. You can use any other stationary bike to train for the test. I recommend keeping the resistance higher than what is used on the test.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 25 at 2018 12:19 AM

2018-09-25T00:19:18-04:00

If that's the policy of the gym (Implied task is to check on the gym policy), let me just say, sucks to suck. Short of buying one yourself, training on the regular bike is your best bet.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 25 at 2018 12:22 AM

2018-09-25T00:22:23-04:00

Sounds like the employee was pulling that out of her butt. I don't see how training on the bike under test conditions is any different then training to run under test conditions, dong pushups and situps under test conditions, or swimming laps under test conditions.

You could consider talking to the manager of the gym about using the bike and requesting to see documentation that states that it is considered cheating.

Other then that, I suggest setting a normal exercise bike at the highest resistance you can handle and use it.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 25 at 2018 1:00 PM

2018-09-25T13:00:50-04:00

I feel like she just didn’t want you to use it. Instead of using the bike for the 6.2 mile alternate event. Have you thought of the 800M swim? Or 2.5 mile walk? I’m not sure what your limitation are as far as using these alternate events but there are other to choose from. Best of luck.

Response by LTC Dallas Powell made Sep 25 at 2018 4:31 PM

2018-09-25T16:31:03-04:00

Definitely told you wrong, but if you want to train for the stationary bike event go to spin classes at least a couple of times a week. Gordon has excellent ones, and Fort Sam has some good ones too.