This website is specifically designed with small unit Army leaders in mind. From initial "field testing" to implementing a comprehensive unit physical fitness training plan, armycombatfitnesstest.com has all the tools and resources you'll need to understand and train for the Army's new physical fitness test.
Step 1 - Get familiar with ACFT Events, ACFT Standards, and ACFT Scoring
The Army Combat Fitness Test is a 6 event test with a 600 point maximum. It is gender and age-neutral. This means that a 22-year old male Soldier and a 40-year old female Soldier earn the same exact number of points for running 2 miles in 14 minutes. According to guidance the Army issued on 22 March 2021, the Army will trial and explore a proposed tier performance band process based on gender to account for concerns about physiological differences. In the future, performance tiers may be used by the Army to provide a gender-neutral baseline for all Soldiers. Performance tiers will allow the Army to use the ACFT for promotions, order of merit lists, etc.
What are the 6 events of the ACFT?
Soldiers will complete the following events in order, generally in less than 70 minutes:
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3-Repetition Maximum Deadlift
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Standing Power Throw
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Hand-Release Push-Up
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Sprint-Drag-Carry
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Leg Tuck or Static Plank Hold
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2-Mile Run
Visit the links to each individual event for a training guide or click here for a roll-up of event standards. The full ACFT standards PDF is available here.
What are the minimum requirements per MOS (ACFT Standards by MOS)?
Can you pass the new US Army Combat Fitness Test?
Of course! We're here to help you learn and apply the principles of effective physical training. With a well-planned progression of the right training methods, anyone can develop the capacity necessary to succeed in each ACFT event.
How difficult is it to pass the new test?
It depends! How fit are you? We can measure physical fitness in a variety of different ways. Elite marathon runners have great aerobic fitness; elite power-lifters have great muscular strength. But if we measured their fitness using the ACFT, neither category of "athletes" would perform very well. This is because the ACFT measures a more comprehensive type of fitness that accounts for aerobic endurance, anaerobic endurance, muscular strength, and muscular endurance. This test punishes the specialist and rewards Soldiers that have strength and stamina. In order to pass the test with the minimum ACFT score, Soldiers must:
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deadlift 140lbs for 3 repetitions
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standing power throw a 10lbs ball 4.5 meters
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execute 10 hand-release push-ups
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complete the sprint-drag-carry in 3 minutes
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do 1 leg tuck or hold a static plank for 2:09
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run 2 miles in less than 21:00
Step 2 - Learn and Incorporate the Principles of Training
Exercising and training are not synonymous. Globo-gyms across the world are littered with unfit exercisers. So is the Army. Just getting out there and pounding the pavement enough to run 2 miles in 13 minutes does not mean you've executed the type of training required to perform well on the ACFT (nor does it represent comprehensive physical fitness). Real training is progressive in nature. Real training requires real efforts to recover. Real training results in the types of enhanced performance that recreational exercisers will never experience. Learn and incorporate the following principles in order to start real training:
Step 3 - Train Smarter, Not Harder
If you know where to look, high-quality training resources are readily available. In fact, many resources are available for free on the internet. The challenge is sifting through all the noise in order to find the good stuff. That's the goal of Better Everyday - the Blog and official home of Training For 600. We'll always keep you up-to-date with the Army's latest ACFT news and guidance, the most effective training techniques, and we'll keep you in touch with the larger Army fitness community.
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