Posted on Jun 23, 2015
Considering Evolution, should the body fat standards be relaxed across the U.S. Military?
42.9K
161
96
9
9
0
Standards
Health
Fitness
Posted 9 y ago
Responses: 61
2
2
0
I can't say they should be relaxed but they need to be improved upon. The Air Force will just take a measurement around the waist and give you points for the smaller the waistline. The problem is if you take to people both 30 years old and take off all skin, muscle and tissue. Now take a measurement around the top of the hip and they will be different. How can you tell me that someone 50 inches tall is going to have the same as some 75 inch tall person. Everyone has a different build so to say we all have to have a 35 inch waist is ridiculous.
(2)
(0)
2
2
0
2
2
0
The body fat % and measurements favor a specific body type. Not all people fit into that type. I knew a chief who said he had to work out almost constantly and loose 10 lbs. before it was accepted that he was a big man. They guy was built like a bull dog. My husband fell into the same problem - short guy, heavy build, strong as an ox, highly active, but couldn't satisfy measurement requirements after 35.
I too think that fitness performance and not measurements should be the main judge.
I too think that fitness performance and not measurements should be the main judge.
(2)
(0)
Suspended Profile
If you don't want people to be fat stop making uniforms with a size 52 waist......just saying.
On a serious note....I am one of those "big boned" guys who had to have a waiver and be taped my entire career.....the worst thing they did for fitness in the AF at least was set a minimum waist size........on day you could max out your run, your sit-ups, and push-ups and be a PT hero and pass....and then poof....you could max all of the above and because your waist was 41 inches you became a POS and needed remedial counseling and training....anyway I digress
Standards are set to be adhered to and as such if you can't meet them ........dot dot dot.
That being said the second biggest mistake the AF made was not allowing for a waiver for the waist for people who can meet all the physical requirement (specifically for those who score in the 90% in all other categories).
blah blah blah....work out more....blah blah....everyone can lower their BMI....blah blah....
Just thought I'd summarize all the fitness folks comments....lol
Hate it or love it PT standards are there to make us a better overall force.....and like most things in military it does not address the individual but the overall mission.
On a serious note....I am one of those "big boned" guys who had to have a waiver and be taped my entire career.....the worst thing they did for fitness in the AF at least was set a minimum waist size........on day you could max out your run, your sit-ups, and push-ups and be a PT hero and pass....and then poof....you could max all of the above and because your waist was 41 inches you became a POS and needed remedial counseling and training....anyway I digress
Standards are set to be adhered to and as such if you can't meet them ........dot dot dot.
That being said the second biggest mistake the AF made was not allowing for a waiver for the waist for people who can meet all the physical requirement (specifically for those who score in the 90% in all other categories).
blah blah blah....work out more....blah blah....everyone can lower their BMI....blah blah....
Just thought I'd summarize all the fitness folks comments....lol
Hate it or love it PT standards are there to make us a better overall force.....and like most things in military it does not address the individual but the overall mission.
PO1 John Miller
There's no such thing as big boned, that's a common misconception. There are however people (seems like you may be one of them without me knowing anything about you other than what you typed here) who no matter now much of a PT stud they are, how healthy they eat, etc., will always have a few extra inches of body fat they cannot lose.
Yes it sucks, and there's not a whole lot you can realistically do about it, and that's a tragedy. I've seen some people go to such extremes like liposuction just to get rid of 3 or 4 inches around their waist.
Yes it sucks, and there's not a whole lot you can realistically do about it, and that's a tragedy. I've seen some people go to such extremes like liposuction just to get rid of 3 or 4 inches around their waist.
(0)
(0)
Suspended Profile
Thanks for your input....obviously im not actually talking about bones really being bigger, but the genetic disposition of some races/families/bloodlines to have larger than normal features.....such as height, chest, and pelvis......I will try to speak in the common metaphoric vernacular in the future. (for example all of the males in my family for the last 5 generations are all over 6 foot tall (with the average being 6'3"), with broad chest, and shoulders-----aka "big boned")
2
2
0
I struggled with weight my entire career. I'm just a short fat guy. Even when I lived in the gym and ate a strict paleo diet I still barely made tape. But I was able to pass the PFA. My concern is the folks that stress so much about passing that they do dangerous crap like dehydrating or not eating for a week before weigh in. Or the kids who drink five red bulls or take a handful of caffeine pills to pass the run. I'm not saying we should allow members to look like a sack of jello, but if they can pass the PFA we should cut them some slack on the BMI. But like I said, I'm a fat guy so I'm biased.
(2)
(0)
SPC George Rudenko
I was in same boat (lol) but PFT was fine. I was judged solely on body fat % even when I excelled at everything else. bleh
(0)
(0)
2
2
0
Body fat is a joke. We're talking about the armed forces, not professional bodybuilding. I knew a guy while stationed in Germany who was a big dude. He wasn't fat, but he just had that big physique. He could pass all facets of his PT test with flying colors except for the waist measurement. Ultimately, that would bring down his score. In my opinion, if a service member can meet the required physical standards, something like body fat should be irrelevant.
(2)
(0)
1
1
0
SFC (Join to see)
Sir,
People were different then. Our Socioeconomic status was different. Food was different. When was the last time you saw a commercial advertising fruits and vegetables. it's easier and cost effective to buy your family a bucket of hormone injected chicken then a pail of fruit. Where did the farmers markets go?
People were different then. Our Socioeconomic status was different. Food was different. When was the last time you saw a commercial advertising fruits and vegetables. it's easier and cost effective to buy your family a bucket of hormone injected chicken then a pail of fruit. Where did the farmers markets go?
(0)
(0)
1
1
0
I think they should raise the minimums on the APFT, and eliminate the body fat percentage. If a solider can pass the APFT with 80 or higher, then body fat is irrelevant; however, I think an annual ruck with combat load needs to be added to the assessment. I've worked with several "Overweight" soldiers who could pass the APFT with a 270 and above, but struggled to meet body fat percentages. They we're also rucking beasts.
(1)
(0)
1
1
0
1
1
0
Read This Next
Continue with Facebook 
Continue with Google