Posted on Feb 5, 2014
Do You Think PRT Should Incorporate Actual Weight Lifting For Strength Training?
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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?
Weightlifting
PRT (Army)
Physical Training
Posted 12 y ago
Responses: 6
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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.
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SGT (Join to see)
Nice feedback Battle! Yes, I have given this a lot of thought myself and for the most part you are right. I know most installations that house at least brigade size element have one or more gyms on post. I dont think it would be impossible to plan around each unit going to the gym between being able to do morning and afternoon PT and different days of the week. The smaller installations may have a hard time achieving a program like this though.
At DLI we were allowed to conduct different classes like Zumba, cycling class, CrossFit, Insanity, Yoga, and some weight lifting programs as well. I think until somebody of higher rank and the ability to change policy that has an interest in weight training actually steps forward and says our PRT program needs a total revamping, then we will be forced to suffer the consequences of sub-par results from a for the masses type PT program.
As for you SPC Kubat, I would tell you to start with planning out how many days you want to commit to weight training in your 7-day week. Based on that I would tailor my work outs accordingly. If you are working up to around the 5-7 day work out plan I would do more isolated type of work outs like Biceps, Triceps, Back, Legs, Chest, Shoulders and a how many ever cardio sessions you feel is adequate enough for you a week incorporated in there as well. I encourage you to sign up for BodyBuilding.com to find more specific beneficial work outs for you as well. I hope this helps Battle. Have a good one. - SPC Gamble
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CW2 (Join to see)
Thanks! I just checked out the site now, I have never heard of it before, but it looks like it has a lot of good information. Thanks for the info.
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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.
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SFC(P) (Join to see)
Also, it would take time which is always a crunch during the work/training day.
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SGT (Join to see)
Roger that Sergeant Hohman & Sergeant Pimentel, thanks for you all's input.
A few people have expressed those problems and I believe that with any new plan those issues always come into play when it comes to a large force like our organization. If people are really serious one day about implementing strength training into PRT then those issues wont be used as excuses not to do it but rather bullet points on a check list to discuss and figure out so it can be carried out. We do it all the time when new policies and such are put out. We are always adding new programs into the military so, I do not see why adding a really solid strength training program would be so impossible. The physical educations benefits would far out weigh the problems to me. Less injuries by people with improper form when they go to work out on their own time and stronger backs and legs meaning a reduction in the number of back injuries, knee injuries, ankle sprains, even shin splints.
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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.
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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.
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SGT (Join to see)
Roger Chief! Nobody ever takes the initiative to separate the "advanced" PT soldiers from the beginners. It is either the advanced soldiers lead PT or the runs or they get exempt from PT due to a high APFT score. I have not been to or heard of a unit that takes PRT to the next phase. It's like being stuck in combatives level 1 your whole career.
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Personally, I think they should incorporate different variations of the Deadlift and Squat. Most soldiers lack leg and core strength and explosiveness.
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SGT (Join to see)
Thanks for your input Sergeant!
I am with you 101%
You will see a lot of top heavy soldiers in the Army in general I am very dumbfounded by even the senior enlisted and officers I see in the weight room that have no signs of working on their legs but are built up pretty well in their upper body (mainly biceps and chest though).
Squatting for legs and dead-lifting for legs and back I would, if nothing else at least like to see these two type of exercises incorporated more definitely.
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The problem with weight training and or KB circuits is they cost $$$. Push ups, sit ups and running will always be free.
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SGT (Join to see)
That is the truth 1SG. When we get a CG that sees strengthening our soldiers physically as essential as the weapons and technology we use then maybe we will see that putting money towards strength programs is very beneficial...
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