Since the early 2000s, the United States Army has been devising a new series of fitness tests to better prepare their soldiers for the battlefield. For years, the military’s current standard, the Army Physical Fitness Test, has been viewed as an inadequate measure of the muscles and movements that a soldier can expect to implement in combat. The current test consists of just a two-mile run, push-ups, and sit-ups. Now, the upgraded version, known as the Army Combat Readiness Test, is raising the stakes.
The new test is comprised of a two-mile run, a maximum weight deadlift, T-pushups, and a few specialized routines:
The T-Pushup:
The seasoned soldiers who have served as guinea pigs for the test agree that it’s a more rigorous undertaking than the previous iteration.
“The sprint/drag/carry is actually pretty rough,” Sgt. Thomas Masi, of B Company, 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, told the Army Times. “I didn’t think it was going to be that bad.”
As of now, the test is in its third of five phases before it becomes officially incorporated as the military gold standard, which could happen as early as next summer. Use the head start to get yourself in fighting form today. And if you need extra help getting in shape, try Men’s Health’s Metashred workout today and you’ll chisel your arm, shoulders, legs, and more in just 21 days. These Are the 6 Exercises You Can Do to Become as Fit as a U.S. Soldier
