The Common PFT: The PFT Bible
After doing research and writing about physical fitness tests for military and law enforcement agencies for the past ten years, I recognized a common appearance of the 1.5 mile run, pushups, and sit-ups test as a near universal basis for testing fitness levels. The groups who use the Common PFT are the Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, and more than 50% of federal, state, and local police agencies as a minimum standard for physical testing.
In the military units, they also have alternate testing exercises such as bike or swim for the run if injury prevents a member from running and both military and law enforcement units alter the amount of time for pushups and sit-ups. Some have one minute tests and others have two minute tests for the strength testing portion. The Coast Guard and some police departments get creative and substitute pushups with a bench press endurance test, but more than half of the United States Military and Law Enforcement Agencies use what I call the Common PFT.
Preparing for this PFT is not that difficult. In fact, many times most service members can train for a few weeks and score passing grades on the test as the minimum standards are not that difficult. Achieving the minimal standards on anything should not be the peak of our endeavors no matter what we do personally. But, there are many jobs in the military and law enforcement that do not require rigorous physical activity, however, if your job puts you in harm’s way, you should reconsider your fitness level. Whether you are saving yourself, another victim, or your partner, having the strength, endurance, and flexibility can make a difference between life and death. Yes, fitness is THAT important.
As the regular military and law enforcement agencies use the Common PFT as a standard for fitness, the specialized groups in these units like SWAT teams, Fire Fighters, Navy SEAL, Air Force PJs, and Coast Guard Rescue Swimmers all have more rigorous standards and testing exercises. The above units and other Special Ops groups require differing levels of fitness due to the extreme conditions and missions they must be prepared for. There are many workout programs that can be found on the advanced special operations groups above at the Fitness Store.
The good news about the Common PFT is that there are plenty of articles written over the past few years to assist with performing better on the test. Scoring better on physical fitness tests can affect promotion rate, pay-grade, energy levels due to better overall health, as well as your ability to protect and defend yourself and others in an emergency (natural or man-made).
Now, there is an
ebook that addresses the PFT standard, but also helps with functional strength
of the abs, lower back, hips, upper body and running. More than half the
military and law enforcement personnel have to do this PFT - That is why I call
this training plan the PFT Bible!
Go to your training in the shape of your life with this program to help ace the
standard Physical Fitness Test (PFT). Pushups, situps, and running are featured
in this program accompanied with weights as optional training tools as well.
Check out the
PFT Bible
Workout
Not into buying online – make your own workout from the Stew Smith Article Archives at www.heroesoftomorrowfitness.com
Good luck with your training
Email Stew Smith CSCS at stew@stewsmith.com should you have any questions about Military or Law Enforcement Fitness Training. His writings help prepare the Heroes of Tomorrow for today’s military, law enforcement and fire fighting professions.
The Complete List of Stew Smith's eBooks:
General
Fitness and Nutritional Guides for Everyone
The 45 Day Beginner Guide to
Fitness
The 45 Day Intermediate Guide to Fitness
The Diabetic Prevention Workout /
Diet
The Athlete Workout - Rugby, Soccer, Lacrosse
& Football
The Busy Executive Workout
Routine
The Six Week Advanced Weight Training / PT
Guide
The Special
Forces Physical Fitness Workouts
New - Combat
Conditioning Workout
The Army Special Forces / Ranger Workout Phase 1 & 2
The Army Air Assault School Workout
NEW - The Coast Guard Rescue
Swimmer Workout - NEW
The OCS, ROTC, Service Academy, &
Bootcamp Workouts
Navy, Air Force, and Coast Guard OCS Workout
The Service Academy Workout (West
Point, Navy, Air Force Academy)
The Navy, Air Force, Marine Corp Bootcamp Workout
The Army Air Assault School
Workout
The Law Enforcement
Physical Fitness Test Workouts
The FLETC Workout - Ace the PEB
/ Same as Blackwater's TestThe State / Local Police Academy Workout
The Public Safety Diver
Workout
Border Patrol Agent Workout
ATF Agent Workout
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Stew Smith, former Navy SEAL and fitness writer is certified by the National
Strength and Conditioning Association (www.nsca.com) as a Certified Strength and
Conditioning Specialist (CSCS). Email him personally at
stew@stewsmith.com or
stew@mycustomworkout.com
New Venture -
www.mycustomworkout.com