Army Physical Fitness Test

Uriel

Uriel

Uriel

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The press-ups thread reminded me to post this.

I was starting to find the gym a little uninspiring so I thought I'd set myself some slightly different targets to work towards - and get out in the sunshine more.

The army physical fitness test is time to run a mile and a half (officially on level ground), number of press-ups (good form) in two minutes and number of sit-ups (feet restrained with arms crossed over the chest) in two minutes.

The 'pass' figures for men are something like:

In serice requirements:
1.5 mile run: 10:30
2 minutes press-ups: 44
2 minutes sit-ups: 50

(source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/3687350.stm and my mate in the army)

I had a crack last week:
1.5 mile run: 14:08
2 minutes press-ups: 29
2 minutes sit-ups: 30

A bit of training during the week and I tested myself again today:
1.5 mile run: 13:30
2 minutes press-ups: 30
2 minutes sit-ups: 40

For the 1.5 mile run I plotted a route in my local park on http://www.walkjogrun.net/ Mine's quite hilly and I suspect my time will be quicker on the flat.

Just for comparison I'm currently 6'1", 17 st 10 lbs and estimated 32% body fat (measured from bioelectrical impedance scales so who knows how accurate that is?)

Anyone else had a crack?
 
never done it, can say with some certainty that i could do it easily enough. might do it early next week and post times for exact figures. do you do it consecutively or take a break in between exercises?
 
Break between but not too long. I usually do 2 minutes but I've not seen a requirement anywhere.

I suspect most people will pass if they're doing some form of regular training. The 'heavies' amoung us are likely to struggle though.

Edit: They're minimum requirements for in service personnel. All soldiers are expected to do better. The entry requirement for Gurkhas is 1.5 miles in 9 minutes.
 
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treadmill, its fixed on 5% incline though. I would still make the time outside but not under 9 mins i doubt as bodyweight comes into it a lot more, plus running is bad for muscle and muscle is my true love :D
 
I've done the test many times (I was in the army). Last time I did it, a few years ago, it went like this:

These in a set order. You work with a partner who spots your completed exercises.

Press ups: elbows in, maximum effort. Most PTIs are pretty strict on this. Your partner will hold a fist under your chest and if either of you are a little "slack" on correct movement you can expect an earful.

Sit-ups: Partner holds your feet, knees must be around 45 degrees, arms folded across your chest, elbows must touch knees for movement to count.

Run: 1.5 mile warm-up, run as a squad with PTIs setting a gentle pace. Then you are straight into the timed run, straightforward enough, maximum effort.

The are no breaks between the exercises, which means the run is harder than you might expect. The sit-ups (if done correctly) really take it out of your lower stomach and upper thighs.

I think my best was 7:30 for the run and 70-80 press ups/sit ups. I'm built to chase the rabbit :)
 
As someone who has passed that test, you would not remotely pass training if you were just passing those figures.

For a start you need to be doing the run in at least 9:00, most people manage sub 9, the best are about 7:00 or just below. The para guys do 6:30 in boots :O

Press ups - respectable would be over 80. Situps well over 100.
 
Gah! Elbows in - gutted. Can probably halve my press-ups numbers.

Surely the best way you can become capable of running for 9 minutes flat-out is by doing more running, irregardless of natural ability? I used to do the running part of this when my friend was on leave from the army, to keep him training. My 1.5 mile times started off around 14 minutes. In the space of a couple of weeks (doing it every day) I'd got down to sub 10 minutes on a hilly route.
 
Uriel said:
Gah! Elbows in - gutted. Can probably halve my press-ups numbers.

Surely the best way you can become capable of running for 9 minutes flat-out is by doing more running, irregardless of natural ability? I used to do the running part of this when my friend was on leave from the army, to keep him training. My 1.5 mile times started off around 14 minutes. In the space of a couple of weeks (doing it every day) I'd got down to sub 10 minutes on a hilly route.
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M8, no offence but by your stats, which fair play you have been honest about, from a fitness standpoint your a bit of a fat git. Can you really expect to pass a physical fitness test at >30% bodyfat? I know this thread isnt about you passing it but wouldnt you be better off seeking training and nutritional advice to get yourself in shape rather than attempting something that to all intents and purposes is not hugley difficult for someone who trains regularly.

Just a thought.
 
Ultra_Extreme said:
M8, no offence but by your stats, which fair play you have been honest about, from a fitness standpoint your a bit of a fat git. Can you really expect to pass a physical fitness test at >30% bodyfat? I know this thread isnt about you passing it but wouldnt you be better off seeking training and nutritional advice to get yourself in shape rather than attempting something that to all intents and purposes is not hugley difficult for someone who trains regularly.

Just a thought.
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Agreed to an extent. I have a mate who's a fitness instructor and my sister is a dietician. They've been advising me and I spoke to my GP before starting an excersise program. Current stats are down from 19 1/2 stone (and who knows what body fat) a couple of years ago. This time last year I was a stone heavier than I am now and about 37% body fat. Felt like I was going to be sick after my first gym session.

It's a process. My short term aim is just consistent improvement. Longer term I'll pass this and then move onto some other targets. However I honestly believe that I'll at least be passing these targets within a few months.

Edit: Regarding regular training - I havent just done this out of the blue. Been in the gym 2-5 times a week regularly for the past year.
 
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oddjob62 said:
Hmmm how can calling someone a git not be offensive? Fat yeah maybe, but git is uncalled for.
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Used to get called all sorts when I was a kid. Having 'sorted myself out', as it were, in my mid teens I should have never let my fitness slip again. I'll take it as a term of endearment in this case though ;)
 
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