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Yesterday, I took an APFT.
Over my almost 14 years of service, and many APFTs taken, I've come to develop a bit of a 'routine' for myself.
Though I do train leading up to/well-advance of the APFT, there are certain things I have begun to do specifically in the week/night/day of just before the APFT.
Granted, for the longest time I really just 'showed up', and I know alot of Soldiers are like that.
I didn't really put much thought into the APFT...as I get older, though, I do feel like my 'routine' has contributed to my mental and physical preparation, to perform at my best on the day of the test.
Here are some things I do:
1) I eat a very light breakfast. No eggs, milk, etc. Yesterday, I had a spoonful of peanut butter, a handful of raisins, and a little water.
2) Attached is a picture of these PowerGel packets I take just before the run. A few years ago, when I was newly commissioned, our unit 1SG slipped me one of these. He said, "Sir, take this...trust me.". This guy was a PT God. I took it, ran the best I had ever run, and I started to take these just before the run from then on out.
3) I take a hot shower the night before the APFT. Not sure if anyone else does this, but I do some light stretching in the shower--the heat just seems to lighten up and relax my muscles a bit.
....so, what does your Pre-APFT routine look like?
Do you do anything in particular? Nothing at all?
Anything that would seem 'odd' or 'peculiar', but that actually "works" and causes you, personally, to perform better?
Supplements? Vitamins? Foods? etc....
Over my almost 14 years of service, and many APFTs taken, I've come to develop a bit of a 'routine' for myself.
Though I do train leading up to/well-advance of the APFT, there are certain things I have begun to do specifically in the week/night/day of just before the APFT.
Granted, for the longest time I really just 'showed up', and I know alot of Soldiers are like that.
I didn't really put much thought into the APFT...as I get older, though, I do feel like my 'routine' has contributed to my mental and physical preparation, to perform at my best on the day of the test.
Here are some things I do:
1) I eat a very light breakfast. No eggs, milk, etc. Yesterday, I had a spoonful of peanut butter, a handful of raisins, and a little water.
2) Attached is a picture of these PowerGel packets I take just before the run. A few years ago, when I was newly commissioned, our unit 1SG slipped me one of these. He said, "Sir, take this...trust me.". This guy was a PT God. I took it, ran the best I had ever run, and I started to take these just before the run from then on out.
3) I take a hot shower the night before the APFT. Not sure if anyone else does this, but I do some light stretching in the shower--the heat just seems to lighten up and relax my muscles a bit.
....so, what does your Pre-APFT routine look like?
Do you do anything in particular? Nothing at all?
Anything that would seem 'odd' or 'peculiar', but that actually "works" and causes you, personally, to perform better?
Supplements? Vitamins? Foods? etc....
Posted in these groups: 
APFT
APFT
Edited 9 y ago
Posted 9 y ago
Responses: 20
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CSM (Join to see)
SSG (Join to see) Thanks, I think. Bottom line is if you need some pre-workout, carbo-gel, or any other supplement to help you max the APFT you have bigger problems. The APFT has to be the easiest test of physical strength and endurance ever invented.
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Lately...
Followed by 3 laps around the cable channels, some lawn maintenance and walking the dog. Still 60 points for each event :-)
Followed by 3 laps around the cable channels, some lawn maintenance and walking the dog. Still 60 points for each event :-)
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Although I haven't taken a (A)PFT in years, I run several Half marathons a year, and have developed a routine because of that.
First, beginning the week of, I make sure my nutrition is correct. Bad nutrition will kill performance. Although the event itself is actually short, the maintenance leading up to it is not.
Second, TWO days prior I make sure I get plenty of sleep & rest. Enough time for the body to rebuild and recover from anything strenuous I may have done in the preceding week.
The day prior I make sure to get enough calories, and eat a bag of chips (salt), as well as bump my hydration up. Food is fuel. Without it you can't perform.
That evening I usually have a chocolate milk (this gets the "wheels turning" for me) before bed, and another for breakfast, as well as a bagel and a little bit of creamcheese. I time it so that my last "pit stop" is about 30 minutes before the Event.
My goal is to have a topped off "fuel tank" (energy reserves), empty bowels & bladder when the gun goes off so I can focus on the event itself.
First, beginning the week of, I make sure my nutrition is correct. Bad nutrition will kill performance. Although the event itself is actually short, the maintenance leading up to it is not.
Second, TWO days prior I make sure I get plenty of sleep & rest. Enough time for the body to rebuild and recover from anything strenuous I may have done in the preceding week.
The day prior I make sure to get enough calories, and eat a bag of chips (salt), as well as bump my hydration up. Food is fuel. Without it you can't perform.
That evening I usually have a chocolate milk (this gets the "wheels turning" for me) before bed, and another for breakfast, as well as a bagel and a little bit of creamcheese. I time it so that my last "pit stop" is about 30 minutes before the Event.
My goal is to have a topped off "fuel tank" (energy reserves), empty bowels & bladder when the gun goes off so I can focus on the event itself.
(4)
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