Does anyone deviate from PRT?

2016-03-17T22:29:34-04:00

As the PT NCO in my unit I do PRT but there are times I deviate from PRT and do other exercises to break up the monotony and make PT interesting. Does anyone else do this or do you just strictly follow PRT?

Response by SFC William Farrell made Mar 17 at 2016 10:32 PM

2016-03-17T22:32:07-04:00

Its been too long, I forget what PT is like. Although I do do a lot of walking!

Response by LTC Yinon Weiss made Mar 17 at 2016 10:41 PM

2016-03-17T22:41:17-04:00

What sort of exercises do you add? Is it something from another style (Crossfit, etc.)?

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 17 at 2016 10:48 PM

2016-03-17T22:48:51-04:00

For my part, when we do PRT, we do PRT. There's value in following the program, especially when you have younger Soldiers preparing for a school. But when we don't do PRT, we eliminate references to it in order to ensure we don't confuse people with what is PRT and what is not. We will do a fun run, some sort of cross fit training like MAJ Weiss said, or maybe yoga. As a Reservist, it's not so much of a problem when you're only doing PRT once a quarter, but being creative sure helps when mobilizing.

Response by SGT Dave Tracy made Mar 17 at 2016 10:49 PM

2016-03-17T22:49:15-04:00

Not the we do much PRT in the Reserves, but when we do, I rarely lead it. That said, next time I do, I plan on using the time NOT to do PRT or PT (because that's out these days); instead I plan on using that time to conduct a class on Army history, specifically how physical training was done prior to the adoption of PRT...it's not PT, it's history!
;-)

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 17 at 2016 11:02 PM

2016-03-17T23:02:35-04:00

If we do PRT, we do the warm-up exercises and then do different exercises, mostly running. My section is weak at running so I run them. On those runs we pull off to the side, knock out push-ups, and sit-ups and while we are waiting on stragglers we run in place or do half-jacks and mountain climbers to keep our heart rate up until they catch up and do their push-ups/sit-ups. if we aren't doing that, we are doing sprints or stairs but I always incorporate the total body concept so not every day is only a run day

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 17 at 2016 11:40 PM

2016-03-17T23:40:56-04:00

i deviate from PRT only because the average PT score is too low PRT works well at the beginning but its only to sustain once you hit that sustainment PRT is almost useless that's why i push soldiers to their limits do didfferent exercises body will always adapt so you need to change it up

Response by SSG Leo Bell made Mar 17 at 2016 11:43 PM

2016-03-17T23:43:51-04:00

I use to do that when I was the NCO in charge of PT. You have to do different thing during PT to make it fun and get 100% corporation from everyone. The basic push-ups, sit-ups, running and the other exercises like the hello dolly, wind mills, small circles to the front, and others like that get really boring. Your doing the right thing by changing it up once in awhile.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 18 at 2016 12:00 AM

2016-03-18T00:00:16-04:00

I used to add lunges, jumping lunges, squats, and all types of ab exercises. I was also known for PT in kit (at least vest and bucket).

Response by CPT Aaron Kletzing made Mar 18 at 2016 1:08 AM

2016-03-18T01:08:51-04:00

my unit's 1SG took us through a really tough yoga (yes, yoga) workout one time, spur of the moment. i thought i was going to die. my whole body was at muscle failure.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 18 at 2016 3:07 AM

2016-03-18T03:07:22-04:00

Wait, people actually do PRT?
Like most groups, we do warm ups and cool downs but the only 2 times I've actually done PRT was in basic and BLC

Response by SFC Benjamin Harrison made Mar 18 at 2016 6:01 AM

2016-03-18T06:01:09-04:00

FM 7-22 authorizes modifications to the program. As always, you may add to but not take away. If your adjustments align with the overall intent there should not be an issue. Just read the FM and if a master fitness trainer is avail get with them from further guidance in planning your sessions.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 18 at 2016 7:02 AM

2016-03-18T07:02:12-04:00

SSG Private RallyPoint Member As often as I can get away with it

Response by PO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 18 at 2016 7:15 AM

2016-03-18T07:15:35-04:00

We "SELF"-PT. :P lol

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 18 at 2016 7:28 AM

2016-03-18T07:28:45-04:00

Conducting prt on a regular basis and emphasizing to your soldiers how important it is that they learn the exercises plays an important role in how they perform at NCOES schools. I'm at ALC right now, and you wouldn't believe how many of the guys and girls here don't know the exercises. They need to know proper technique and every drill, to go with alternate exercises. But to your original question, creativity and deviating from prt every now and then never hurt anyone. I do it too, bringing something new to the table keeps it alive.

Response by PFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 18 at 2016 8:48 AM

2016-03-18T08:48:08-04:00

Prt hurts soldiers to have your neck strained like it is during a lot of these exercises can't be good medically. Also it takes valuable time from actually doing pt rather where you could stretch on your own instead of doing the prep drills and get right into it. Some of the conditioning drills are good though I will admit but some aren't. I do however like the climbing drill although we don't do that much at my unit. I was told when I got to Campbell list of the 101st doesn't really do the prt but unit is pretty strict with atleast doing the prep drills.

Response by SSG Robert Webster made Mar 18 at 2016 9:18 AM

2016-03-18T09:18:20-04:00

All these "experts" talking about physical fitness, PFT (both the Physical Fitness Test and Physical Fitness Training), the Master Fitness Trainer & Program, and the current PRT (as opposed to PT). There are only three items of good that has come from this latest round of craziness (my preference would be to call it a debacle); they are - a slight knowledge of nutrition, injury control (?), and a return to emphasis of training to standard.
But most of the information presented through this program is white-washed BS. The current reference manuals, FMs, TCs, etc. have so much "New Age" BS and some political correctness thrown in that almost EVERYONE does not know which end is up.
Everyone wants to think that their way is better, and that the old methods do not work. If you really take an objective look at it, those individuals are blinded by their ego and their desire to impress. (If the shoe fits, wear it. Just do not complain to me, been there, done that.)
To really fit into the equation that is being espoused at this point in time, the powers that be should bring back the old 4 event APFT; the run, dodge and jump, the inverted crawl, the horizontal ladder, and the 2-mile run. If you espouse the philosophy of Warrior Skills and Tasks, you may see and understand why I made this statement, otherwise... If you can truly appreciate and understand why the Army went from the 4 event APFT to the current 3 event APFT, we might have a chance.
Does any one wonder why one of the exercises that Jack LaLanne promoted and used extensively was the "Side Straddle Hop"?

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 18 at 2016 9:28 AM

2016-03-18T09:28:42-04:00

We do the warm up and cool down portions of PRT but for pt we create our own routine involving circuit training with weights, body weight exercises, cardio ect. And mandatory gym time after lunch. My squads last PT avg was 289. Never used PRT as the main body. Not saying PRT doesn't work, but what we do works so we use it.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 18 at 2016 9:51 AM

2016-03-18T09:51:53-04:00

Sure. Have to break up the tediousness of it and keep PT fun and interesting.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 18 at 2016 10:06 AM

2016-03-18T10:06:17-04:00

The Navy has different rules but when I laid my sessions I do 45 minutes of aerobic activity and 15 minutes of core. Sometimes we play kickball group runs volleyball something to keep everyone moving then end with the basic sit ups push-ups planks etc.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 18 at 2016 10:27 AM

2016-03-18T10:27:37-04:00

I agree that things need to change to break up the monotony. When I was in command I would try and do combat focused PT once a quarter. This would involve various physical challenges, ie. litter carry, obstacles, HMMWV push, cannon (105mm) push, etc. The Soldiers seemed to enjoy it and made it a competition among their gun crews and platoons. A couple of the battalions in which I served had their own style of combat PT competitions as well. The standard PRT gets boring and really doesn't seem to do a whole lot for total body fitness.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 18 at 2016 8:52 PM

2016-03-18T20:52:55-04:00

Lots of flexibility in the program, using the prescribed exercises

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 19 at 2016 12:20 AM

2016-03-19T00:20:43-04:00

Yes, absolutely. It gets boring after a while. You definitely have to switch it up and get creative when it comes to PT. It keeps the morale high and the Soldiers motivated when you can actually have a fun and productive PT session.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 19 at 2016 8:41 AM

2016-03-19T08:41:54-04:00

I'd have to do PRT to deviate, the warm up stuff is the only thing worth anybodies time. The old PT worked just fine, just need people to man up and quot going to sick call for every stupid thing. My plt apft average is 265 before everyone starts telling me I'm all jacked up for not pushing it.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 20 at 2016 7:13 AM

2016-03-20T07:13:13-04:00

No. It's pretty satisfying when done right, and it gives troops the sense they can learn it and eventually get up in front of the formation and lead it themselves. When I have only one Joe, I won't do the formation or call cadence, but I will lead them through the exercises, in order.

I have long felt that PRT was one of the better programs implemented by the Army. When done right, it is a solid workout. To anyone who thinks it isn't, my argument will always be "so why didn't you pass me?"

It's a solid workout that does not leave you sore, but rather it wakes you up. The Army needs more MFTs to explain proper form better. It's all about training body mechanics.

As NCOs, we enforce the standard. Part of leadership means dragging Joe kicking and screaming through this "boring" PT program. It's not even that boring; if you study the manual, you'll find that there is more than enough meat to challenge your Soldiers. This is where leadership comes in.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 20 at 2016 7:47 AM

2016-03-20T07:47:28-04:00

Something rarely mentioned, it seems: Combatives is a key component of PRT. There is no reason you cannot incorporate it weekly or monthly. You also have obstacle courses and training exercises. PRT is meant to prepare one for the rigors of combat. Why not run combat scenarios?

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 20 at 2016 8:49 PM

2016-03-20T20:49:27-04:00

We ensure our soldiers know how to conduct PRT but try to stay away from it as much as possible.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 22 at 2016 11:44 AM

2016-03-22T11:44:13-04:00

Yes

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 23 at 2016 9:29 AM

2016-03-23T09:29:40-04:00

I believe in having to start off with doctrine so that everyone knows the standard. Once thisnis established, NCOs should be able to build the art of if and make it challenging but fun at the same time. Everyone will complain about a program no matter what it is, but will they complain about the NCO driving it?

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 22 at 2016 12:44 PM

2016-04-22T12:44:39-04:00

NCOA Camp Buerhing, Kuwait we follow FM 7-22 , no deviations. What does your unit SOP states?

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made May 20 at 2016 9:02 PM

2016-05-20T21:02:04-04:00

Unfortunately PT in my current unit never really changes and we stick to PRT almost exclusively. I really miss my old unit where we would do things like crossfit, Pool PT, Squad runs, etc. Also my current unit does Company level PT everyday except for Tuesday's when we do PLT PT. My previous unit only did company PT when we did company runs, everything else was either at the PLT or SQD Level.