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It really doesn't matter though walkerman.

 

that argument has been made for years, it goes on deaf ears.

 

The PT test is nothing more than a gut check, most graders that have been in the Army more than a couple of years aknowledge this and don't grade on ridiculous standards.

 

Yea Joe I know, yall got me talkin and I talked myself into my usual rant haha.

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Now, for the run. When you start running, identify every warrant officer in front of you, and run faster than them. They are your competition. Run them down. Either you pass out, throw up, or run a fast time.

Why do you say that? Simply because they (Warrants) are the ones we (Officers) are supposed to be leading?

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Why do you say that? Simply because they (Warrants) are the ones we (Officers) are supposed to be leading?

I am a Warrant. My post was in the context of being in flight school. Every PT test I took while in flight school, I treated as "them against me" event, and I made sure every warrant finished the run behind me.

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  • 1 month later...

This is a great thread (even though its a year old)! Personally, I suggest (to anyone who is trying to improve), do an initial assessment to find out where you are at and make that your minimum; improve from there.

 

Here's my 2 cents:

 

Do a full PT test every other day at a minimum (if not once a day, only takes like an hour). Set goals from where you are at till you get a 300.

 

Run example- 8 min mile max now. next goal 7.5 min mile. Continue in a stepwise fashion until you get your goal. include long runs (4miles, 5miles) and sprint sessions in between your PFT days.

 

PU example- 50 pu max now. multiply by 3 (or minimum of 100). Total 150 in increments of whatever you can do until you do a full 150: sets of 40,40,30,20,10,10. first set should be as many as you can do followed by sets until all equal the total. Set levels of minimums. Each level increases first set by 10 so:

lev1- first set 50. following sets: 30,30,20,10,10

lev1- first set 50. following sets: 40,40,20

lev2- first set 60. following sets: 40,30,20

lev3- first set 70. following sets: 40,30,10

*your levels increase as you are able. Each set should be as much as you can do (not necessarily failure but, whatever you can do while keeping proper form. Once you reach a certain level, make that your minimum first set.

Continue improving until you have reached your age level max. Continue to train at the 300 level every day till test day (or go above and beyond!). You may not get there but, you'll definitely improve from where you are at.

 

Consistency is the key to this plan (and probably every plan). Good luck to whoever.

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There really are a lot of great ideas out there. But for simplicity, I really suggest taking a look at the Military Athlete plans. Rob Shaul has a plan basically for every military branch variation of he PFT, selections, and courses. I did like 3 or 4 weeks of the 6 for the APFT plan and improved something like 40 points. I will be doing the full plan with a week off at the end and then the 6 week Army OCS plan (which is still heavy on APFT improvement, but includes some longer runs, other cals, and a few rucks). Unless you are a fitness guru I doubt you could come up with a better plan on your own.

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So, most of this thread is about increasing your APFT to get selected or for flight school selection. But, how important is having a 300 APFT when you are actually in a unit? I mean, your ORB and board file just say pass/fail. Obviously staying fit is important but I know very fit civilians that could not get a 300 because of how the PT test is.

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So, most of this thread is about increasing your APFT to get selected or for flight school selection. But, how important is having a 300 APFT when you are actually in a unit? I mean, your ORB and board file just say pass/fail. Obviously staying fit is important but I know very fit civilians that could not get a 300 because of how the PT test is.

Yeah but with a 270 you get to wear that AMAZINGLY AWESOME patch on your PTs!! :)

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So, most of this thread is about increasing your APFT to get selected or for flight school selection. But, how important is having a 300 APFT when you are actually in a unit? I mean, your ORB and board file just say pass/fail. Obviously staying fit is important but I know very fit civilians that could not get a 300 because of how the PT test is.

In a scout platoon, it's important. I know I will generally want to work with a guy who gets a 300 over a guy who gets a 180, if all other things are equal.

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So, most of this thread is about increasing your APFT to get selected or for flight school selection. But, how important is having a 300 APFT when you are actually in a unit? I mean, your ORB and board file just say pass/fail. Obviously staying fit is important but I know very fit civilians that could not get a 300 because of how the PT test is.

In the AF you usually get a couple days off if you get a 100, and the perk for getting a 90 or better is not having to test again for a year.

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So, most of this thread is about increasing your APFT to get selected or for flight school selection. But, how important is having a 300 APFT when you are actually in a unit? I mean, your ORB and board file just say pass/fail. Obviously staying fit is important but I know very fit civilians that could not get a 300 because of how the PT test is.

 

My answer would be 'it depends'.

 

I would say you always want to have the capability to score a 300, if only for your own fitness and good health.

 

Where it may help you in the unit is when it comes to report card time. You may want to score perhaps a 240 the first time you take an APFT in the unit, a nice safe score. Then the next time, you score a 260. Then a 280. Then maybe a 300 right before you PCS. Then you use that to dress up your OER support form and prove to your boss that his awesome unit PT program helped you increase your APFT score by such and such % over the last couple years.

 

Games like this are how you get that vaunted top block OER and succeed at the promotion board and keep on flying.

 

Or it may backfire and screw you. But you definitely never want to score less than 180 or bust tape.

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Oh, I'd say there's definitely secrets to doing well on the APFT... Being able to alternate muscle groups to max your event, knowing how to do the events in the most efficient manner, etc.. are all huge helps.

 

You'll see.

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Found out today! Before, I was using pacing techniques and relaxing between reps, switching muscle groups, etc. The only thing I found helpful was consciously using muscle on power stroke only and just falling down, using gravity to my advantage. I was overcomplicating it. But then when I did the test, I just pushed it out till I couldn't do it no more. Quicker the better. Just knock em out. I found, simpler, the better. There is NO alternative to proper preparation. Too many people think they can use some "secret" technique and they will be able to train less. Train everyday, train to the top score every day. Use proper technique. That's what I found out. Keep it simple and keep going till time is up.

 

Also, I find I'm alot more sore being that the "packet number" was on the line. Talk about motivating! Tired but, I feel GREAT! Oddly enough, I kept saying "It only feels like pain." as I was running. :) Actually helped...go figure.

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The problem with not using different "techniques" and just going with the "nock them out" method a lot of times most people will end up slacking in proper form. Which trust me, is huge when you get to 1st WOC. They don't grade strict here it's just most other places (units and recruiters) don't care enough to hold true to the real standard.

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My take on it was that, the more "stuff" I threw in there, the slower I was. When I simplified it down, stuck to the basics, and just slugged it out, I got about 30% higher scores. proper technique isn't hard to maintain. I mean, its not like they place a ruler straight edge on your back....don't they do that in the air force for their 30 seconds of pushups? ;)

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I'm going into terminator fitness mode starting yesterday. Eating super well and crushing some daily workouts. It's going to be a long road, I'm at about a 190 on the APFT right now, and I'm too fat for accessions. I don't know my BMI but I bust the height/weight by like 25 pounds.

 

Something I've learned in my years of Air Force PT testing is that, if given a choice, do your sit-ups first. If I do push-ups first I lose about 5 sit-ups, and I'm pretty certain it's because you're doing a minute or so plank while doing push-ups.

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I'm going into terminator fitness mode starting yesterday. Eating super well and crushing some daily workouts. It's going to be a long road, I'm at about a 190 on the APFT right now, and I'm too fat for accessions. I don't know my BMI but I bust the height/weight by like 25 pounds.

 

Something I've learned in my years of Air Force PT testing is that, if given a choice, do your sit-ups first. If I do push-ups first I lose about 5 sit-ups, and I'm pretty certain it's because you're doing a minute or so plank while doing push-ups.

If you are at the front leaning rest position for a minute, you're only doing a minute worth of pushups....

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I don't follow what you're saying.

 

2 minutes allowed - 1 minute of front leaning rest = 1 minute left to do pushups.

 

If you're maintaining proper form then it's basically a two-minute plank anyway, so it's doubly important to have strong core muscles.

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