Do You Think PRT Should Incorporate Actual Weight Lifting For Strength Training?

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 05 Feb 2014 04:46:14 -0500

I honestly feel that our PT is overly run and calisthenics based and being a prior-service college football athlete and NCCPT Certified Personal Trainer I know all too well of the importance and the need to strengthen not only core muscles but all primary and secondary muscle groups. We carry and wear plenty of heavy things in the Army and that alone is a good enough reason to me to incorporate legitimate weight lifting programs. What do you all think/feel? 

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 5 at 2014 4:56 AM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 05 Feb 2014 04:56:21 -0500

I like the idea of it, I think our current PT lacks a lot of things needed for a well rounded training program. Unfortunately, the issue I can see with this is logistics. If it were required, we would need the space and equipment available to all units at all installations. It would cost more money, and with increasing budget cuts, I don't see this happening.

However, I would suggest taking the knowledge you have and start a class. The motivated Soldiers will be glad to take advantage of the offer. As for myself, I am not a Personal Trainer, and I have no education about weight lifting at all. I would love to do more workouts with weights, but I just don't know where to start. If I had someone willing to run a class every week or a couple days a week, I would sign up in a heart beat.

Response by CW2 Joseph Evans made Feb 5 at 2014 5:06 AM

CW2 Joseph Evans — Wed, 05 Feb 2014 05:06:47 -0500

If I remember the circular right, resistance and weight training were part of the "advanced" PRT plan. The part everyone gets caught up on is the early stages, because there is always someone in the unit still working the beginner or intermediate phases.

Response by SGT Joseph Sierra made Feb 5 at 2014 5:40 AM

SGT Joseph Sierra — Wed, 05 Feb 2014 05:40:30 -0500

According to FM 7-22 there is a strength training circuit, which allows the use of kettle bells to increase overall strength. I personally have done the strength training circuit and think it works, however commands with a significant amount of troops the logistics and time restraint is ultimately what big Army looks at. Is that the right answer? I do not know, but FM 7-22 is a great guideline for conducting PRT it is not the end all be all answer. I would like to see more strength training and I believe it will happen when we have more soldiers and leaders attend the Master Fitness Trainer course. Preventing injuries is currently my concern with the military, soldiers are not being taught the proper exercises and are consistently getting injured.

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 5 at 2014 7:11 AM

CSM Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 05 Feb 2014 07:11:25 -0500

The problem with weight training and or KB circuits is they cost $$$. Push ups, sit ups and running will always be free.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 5 at 2014 1:14 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 05 Feb 2014 13:14:12 -0500

Personally, I think they should incorporate different variations of the Deadlift and Squat. Most soldiers lack leg and core strength and explosiveness.

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 6 at 2014 1:04 PM

SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 06 Feb 2014 13:04:42 -0500

I would love to have weight lifting, but you run into a multiple issues. 1 space. 2. Enough equipment. 3. People who know how to properly instruct proper lifting techniques.