How are you preparing for the new Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT, formerly the ACRT)?

2018-09-22T13:27:21-04:00

If you have taken or will soon take the ACFT, are you following a specific training program that is geared for the individual tasks that make up the test? If you've been part of one of the pilot testing unit did your unit change their physical training program leading up to the test or did you follow your normal PRT program? I'll be taking it myself next spring and I'm also helping to create a health promotion program for PT school that is geared towards helping folks get ready for the test so my interest is twofold.

Response by Lt Col Charlie Brown made Sep 22 at 2018 1:32 PM

2018-09-22T13:32:35-04:00

Glad I don't have to do this but I think it is a good idea

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Sep 22 at 2018 1:38 PM

2018-09-22T13:38:00-04:00

Retired, so I don't have to prep for it.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 22 at 2018 1:38 PM

2018-09-22T13:38:49-04:00

I am preparing for this by doing my three events of the push up, sit up and the 2-mile Run. I also am doing dumbbell lifts from the floor and shoulder shrugs. I'm starting with two 40 lb dumbbells. I also have a pull-up bar at home. I am going to do my best on the basic 3 event APFT. Since we still have a couple years left, I hope to be able to still do the old test and do well at it. I am concerned about the deadlift and I will do my own work at home. I work for UPS and I pick up heavy boxes and I do a lot of Walking On My Own as a delivery driver. I feel that this new physical fitness test is going to hurt more people than it saves. I spoke to one of your tradoc trainers here and he said that if I can do 273 points on my current APFT, I should be able to pass the new test. Since so many of our people in the military are starting to resemble Kim fatty the third AKA Kim Jong-un, I'm worried that we are going to have retention problems.

Response by SPC Margaret Higgins made Sep 22 at 2018 4:04 PM

2018-09-22T16:04:12-04:00

I am a retired Soldier. Otherwise, I would Decidedly be preparing for today's new Army Combat Fitness Test.

Response by SSG Steven Borders made Sep 22 at 2018 6:49 PM

2018-09-22T18:49:20-04:00

I am not preparing for it because we are still doing the old pt test. I don’t see our reserve unit getting the gear for this test for awhile. So when I see the equipment I will worry about it.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 22 at 2018 7:46 PM

2018-09-22T19:46:40-04:00

Haven't started yet, 2 years to go....

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 23 at 2018 5:19 AM

2018-09-23T05:19:06-04:00

Although I will be retired when the new ACFT is in full effect, I am training my Soldiers on proper form and getting them used to the exercises. We are focusing on compound exercises along with concentric and eccentric movements to build the muscles necessary for the new exercises they are not accustomed to.

Response by COL Thomas F. made Sep 23 at 2018 5:59 PM

2018-09-23T17:59:45-04:00

As a certified personal trainer, I've taking some curiosity to this new program. I always questioned the current APFT since I joined in the late 80s when it comes to my ability to conduct combat. No back event that helps me break track on a M-113. Even though my days of breaking track is over, this program is still an improvement. They main problem is getting guys (and the units) to change the culture and start building PT in their everyday lives, and not just the 30 days before an APFT. I'm lucky my boss is good about letting us go to get PT in during the duty day, and not on "my time". I think another big problem is us-older-guys who are not 18 anymore and have a "few" physical issues (ie: injuries). That hanging arm-leg lift will be my issue with my busted shoulder. To get ready for it, I've been hitting the weights with the over-watch of my physical therapist. Key for me is not to stop after the APFT where its been a habit to get a tad lazy until its time to ramp back up again. I'm sure I'm not the only one who falls into that pattern. My main goal is to keep prepping for the APFT but increase the complex movements in the gyms (ie: doing arms and legs at the same time) and increasing the intensity but not putting more then 60 secs between exercises. I am not too worried about units finding the gear. Where there is a will, we'll find a way (or a waiver).

Response by SSG Brian G. made Sep 24 at 2018 12:08 AM

2018-09-24T00:08:16-04:00

While I am retired, my wife is not. When we first learned of the transition to the ACFT she was concerned so we learned as much as we could about it at the time. Based on what we learned we devised a workout regimen that would allow her to keep with current guidelines but also build towards the new testing standards.

We kept the sit ups, making her perform to the 18 year old bracket. We also kept the 2 mile run but have her performing at the male 18 year old bracket. The pushup we went ahead and modified to the new specs but with her wearing a 5 pound weight in a pack initially and going down to lay on the ground then lift hands up. This was graded to the 18 year old male standard.

Pullups with knee lifts were added with weights at the ankles as she improved. Deadlifts were also added to her body weight. The last thing we did was add in sprints, dumbbell carries and sled pulls much like football camp.

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 27 at 2019 6:07 AM

2019-03-27T06:07:54-04:00

What will happen to the Permanent profiles. We still have good years left for the army

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 24 at 2019 4:08 AM

2019-04-24T04:08:25-04:00

I’ve been a firefighter for over 10 years. This is much more similar to the type of training we do. A lot more strength movement. More weight lifting. But have to balance the cardio in as well. If you’re not accustomed to this type of training it will be vastly different from just running a few miles 3 days a week with push ups and set ups in between. I do feel like this is going to create stronger soldiers. I’m very excited for it. As a line medic I always told my guys I don’t care if your 2 mile time is 11 minutes, if you can’t move a body you’re useless to me

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 24 at 2021 6:59 AM

2021-03-24T06:59:56-04:00

I’m a tech rescue captain with an industrial fire brigade. We’ve been doing this type of PT for generations in the fire service. I was so glad to see the army add strength fitness to the test. Nothings worse, as a medic, than getting assigned an aid and litter team that all weigh a buck 20 and so proud of being able to run like a gazelle but can’t drag a body. That guy may as well pull security for me. He’s useless for aid and litter if he can’t move a body