Test yourself: Would you pass US Army testing?

Since the mid-1980s, US soldiers have been testing their physical fitness through tests called the Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT).

This testing consists of:

• running 3.2 km in the shortest time,
• maximum number of push-ups performed in 2 minutes, and
• maximum number of tummy tucks performed in 2 minutes.

However, the modern military has bigger requirements and US soldiers will be subjected to new types of testing, called the Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT), from 2020.

ACFT aims to measure strength, absolute strength and anaerobic capacity. Also, the new tests have the same standards for men and women.

New test
ACFT has 6 tasks. The maximum number of points on each task is 100 and the minimum for passing the test is 60 per task.

1. Deadlift Trap Bar, Maximum Weight in Three Repeats (3RM)

Trainer has 2 attempts to establish 3 RM. This test measures absolute power.

• For 100 points: 150 kg x 3
• For 70 points: 80 kg x 3

2. Throwing medicine behind your head

The trainee's task is to throw the 4.5-pound medical weight as far as possible, throwing over and behind the head. This test measures the ability to generate force and speed, which requires explosiveness and strength.

• 100 points: 13.5 m
• 70 points: 8.5 m

3. Push-up push-ups, maximum reps in 120 seconds

If a person has a high level of strength, this will be a test of muscular endurance. For the weak, this is a strength test.

• For 100 points: 70 pushups
• For 70 points: 30 pushups

4. Sprint, pull and carry

The task is to sprint 25 meters as fast as possible, tow 40 pounds of heavy sled (track) 25 meters, run 50 meters laterally and carry 2 kettlebells weighing 18 pounds each - 25 meters.

This task requires anaerobic fitness in order to meet the set standard.

• For 100 points: 1:40 minutes
• 70 points: 2:09 minutes

5. Lifting your legs out of the visa

The person from the visa with the hinge bar must raise the legs and reach the elbows as much as possible with the knees.

• For 100 points: 20 reps
• For 70 points: 5 reps

6. Run 3.2 km in minimum time

• 100 points: 12:45 minutes
• 70 points: 18:00 minutes

Test yourself in these 6 tasks and let us know if you have passed the test.