Who has completed the APFT 800-yard swim?

2015-06-02T20:27:13-04:00

I recently took the 800-yard swim as my only APFT event. Based on the table (by age and time) there is a decent amount to complete this Pass/Fail event. If you practice.

Has anyone else taken the 800-yard swim test on the APFT?

What can you share to help soldiers prepare to do the swim test for the first time?

Any advice on how to improve to get better time (personal challenge)?

Response by PO2 Alana Nielson made Jun 2 at 2015 8:36 PM

2015-06-02T20:36:12-04:00

Swimming isn't like running....you can be a terrible runner and still pass. To shave time in swimming, you have to practice--a lot. The best thing I did for my swimmers was break down their distance (it was 500 for us) into smaller sets: 10x50, 5x100 on a time. Take your goal time and divide it by the number of hundreds you're swimming. Say your goal time for a timed event is 1:20 per hundred. Add 20 seconds to that and do your 100s on 1:40. Do it like that until it gets easier, then do them on 1:35 and so on. The only way to lower your time is to practice like you're racing.
Hope that all made sense!

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Jun 3 at 2015 12:48 AM

2015-06-03T00:48:22-04:00

I have been swimming for years and have not done well at the APFT version. Last time I did it "just to see" , I passed by 15 seconds. If you can do flip turns (which I can't) , you are good. I swim hard for 30 minutes to train in lieu of running.

I take the stationary bike event currently.

Response by LTC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 3 at 2015 11:37 PM

2015-06-03T23:37:04-04:00

I do it three times a week for something different, swimming is all about technique I would encourage someone interested in doing this to get a coach. If you have good techniques you can swim faster with less effort.