Army ACFT | 5 Tips to Prepare

Are you training for your upcoming Army ACFT? If so, welcome to Nutrition Geeks. I am glad you have made it here. Also, that this post will provide some tips and strategies to help you succeed.

Becoming an effective soldier requires more than just strength and endurance. You need to be ready for anything, which means being prepared to pass the Army’s demanding physical standards and combat fitness test which is also known as the Army ACFT.

A variety of tests are used in this to evaluate prospective soldiers and measure their physical readiness. The Army Combat Readiness Test measures your ability to perform under simulated combat conditions in a 35-minute time period.

Pass it, and you’ll graduate from basic training with flying colors. Fail it, and you’ll have to redo the entire process again in another six weeks. The importance of the ARCT is that it helps measure not only your cardio abilities but also your strength and coordination. In other words, it reveals whether or not you are prepared for military life before they make you redo it again!

What are the 6 events of the Army ACFT?

The Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT) is a six-event physical fitness test that was developed to better assess the fitness of soldiers from 2019 onwards. It replaced the previous Army Physical Fitness Test, or APFT, which was used for many years. In the Army ACFT, Soldiers are scored based on their performance in each event. The ACFT is a demanding test, but it is a fair and effective way to measure the fitness of soldiers. Each event is designed to test a specific aspect of physical fitness as well. The events are as follows:

1. Three-Repetition Max (3RM) Deadlift
2. The Standing Power Throw
3. The Hand-Release Push-Up
4. The Sprint-Drag-Carry
5. The Leg Tuck
6. The Two-Mile Run

What is the Army ACFT standard?

To pass the Army ACFT, soldiers must score at least 60 points in each event. The maximum score for each event is 100 points. The Army ACFT standards are designed to be more challenging than the old APFT, so soldiers will need to train and prepare accordingly. Soldiers who score below 60 points, in any event, will need to retake the test. As an example, Regarding the previously discussed 6 events, the army has released the following scoring standards for the ACFT:

• For max deadlift, the standards are as follows: men ages 21-26 must lift 140 pounds, men ages 27-31 must lift 150 pounds, men ages 32-36 must lift 160 pounds, and men over the age of 37 must lift 170 pounds. Women ages 21-26 must lift 90 pounds, women ages 27-31 must lift 100 pounds, women ages 32-36 must lift 110 pounds, and women over the age of 37 must lift 120 pounds.
• For the max power throw, the standards are as follows: men and women ages 21-26 must throw the 10-pound medicine ball 8.5 meters while the average Standing Power Throw is expected at 12.5 feet for men, & 9.2 feet for women.
• And as for the Hand-Release Push-Ups, it's at 50 for men, and 25 for women.

Age Adjustment

The ACFT will be scored on a gender- and age-adjusted scale, with the highest score being a perfect 300 and the lowest score being a zero. There are three levels of scoring:

1. Level I: 0-59
2. Level II: 60-79
3. Level III: 80-100

To score a perfect 300, a soldier must score 100 in each event. To score a 100 in each event, the following standards must be met:

• Max deadlift: 315 pounds
• Standing power throw: 16 pounds
• Hand-release push-ups: 50
• Sprint-drag-carry: 100 yards in under 70 seconds
• Leg tuck: 20
• 2-mile run: 13:30

As you can see, The Army ACFT is an important part of the Army's new fitness culture. The new standards will help to ensure that soldiers are physically ready for combat and other strenuous activities. The Army ACFT is a great way for soldiers to assess their physical fitness and see where they need to improve.

Cardiovascular Fitness Test

This is a simple walking test that assesses your heart and lung function. You will be given a 20-meter mark, and you should walk back and forth between the two points as fast as you can while wearing combat boots and carrying a weighted backpack. This is the easiest part of the test, and you should easily pass it. This is where things get a little tricky. You will be required to perform an exercise called the push-up.

You must be able to do a minimum of 12 push-ups, with each hand touching the ground and returning to the original position each time. The next part of the test is the 2-mile run. You will be required to run as fast as you can while wearing boots and carrying a weighted backpack. This test determines your leg strength, endurance, and speed. If you are unable to pass this test, it may indicate that you are not physically prepared for military life.

Is the Army Getting Rid of Leg Tucks?

The Army is currently considering eliminating the leg tuck from its mandatory physical fitness test. The 1st step was taken on April 1, 2022. The decision is, however, still under review, but many experts are in favor of the change. Reports suggest that the Army is interested in getting rid of the leg tuck because it is not considered to be a “functional” exercise.

 Army officials believe that there are other exercises that soldiers can do that will better prepare them for the rigors of combat. The leg tuck is a difficult and potentially dangerous exercise, and there are concerns that it does not accurately measure the fitness of soldiers. Still, the leg tuck has been a simple but effective exercise that has been used by the Army for years to help soldiers stay in shape, but the end is nigh. If the Army does decide to get rid of the leg tuck, it will be replaced with another exercise that better assesses the fitness of soldiers.

In the meantime, soldiers will still be required to complete the leg tuck on the physical fitness test. However, some experts also believe that the leg tuck is an important exercise and should not be removed from the Army's physical training regimen. They argue that the leg tuck helps to develop core strength and balance, both of which are important in combat situations. So, what will the Army do in 2023? Only time will tell the tale to the fullest.

Can You Take Your Shoes Off on the Army ACFT?

YES. You are allowed to change your shoes during the army ACFT. However, you cannot be barefoot during an Army ACFT process. There are a few reasons for this:

First, taking your shoes off on the ACFT would not be hygienic. The ACFT is a shared space and taking your shoes off would leave your feet exposed to all sorts of bacteria and germs.

Second, taking your shoes off on the ACFT would be unsafe. The ACFT is designed to be used with shoes on, and taking them off would increase your risk of injury.

There are other occasions where this is practically not advised as well. As an example, One of the six events in the army ACFT is the leg tuck, which requires soldiers to hang from a bar and then tuck their legs up to their chest and return to the starting position. For this event, soldiers are required to wear running shoes.

However, some soldiers have asked if they are allowed to change their shoes during the ACFT's timed events. The answer is no – soldiers are not allowed to change their shoes during the timed events of the army ACFT. This is because during the ACFT timed events, changing shoes would take up valuable time that could be used to complete the event.

Still, if we don't consider specific moments where this rule does not apply, the answer is yes, soldiers are allowed to change their shoes during the test. They will just need to make sure that they have the proper footwear for each event. So if you're planning on taking the ACFT, be sure to bring along a pair of shoes that you feel comfortable running in, as well as a pair of shoes that will be good for the strength and power events.

Closing Thoughts

The Army ACFT – also known as the Army Combat Readiness Test is designed to measure your physical fitness and determine whether or not you are prepared for military life. The tests include a cardiovascular fitness test, a strength, and stamina test, a mile run, and a final push-up test. If you are unable to pass any of these tests, it may indicate that you are not physically prepared for military life.

There have been many changes made to the process since the beginning of the year 2022. There are some changes expected to happen at the start of the year 2023 as well. The Army ACFT standards are always rising, and rules get updated as well.

Be sure to subscribe to the RunDreamAchieve YouTube channel. New weekly fitness and running videos are posted there each week. I hope that this post has been helpful and looking forward to hearing from you.