The U.S. Army has undergone significant changes in how it measures soldier fitness. If you're preparing for an Army fitness test in 2025 or 2026, understanding the current standards and what's expected can make the difference between passing and excelling.
This guide breaks down everything you need to know about the new Army Fitness Test (AFT), and former fitness tests; the Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT) and the Army’s Physical Fitness Test (APFT).
Army Fitness Test AFT
The current fitness test for the U.S. Army is the Army Fitness Test AFT. It not only helps maintain the physical and mental well-being of soldiers to ensure readiness, but it also plays a large role in the Army’s fitness culture.
The Army Fitness Test AFT became the official fitness test for the U.S. Army in June 2025. The AFT starts in basic training for soldiers, and at initial training for officers. Active-duty soldiers are tested twice per year and Reserve and National Guard soldiers are tested once yearly. It has five events and each event in the AFT is designed to assess and improve a soldier’s physical strength, mental toughness, coordination, and flexibility, while helping to prevent injuries.
A soldier will need to score a minimum of 60 points on each event to pass the Army Fitness Test AFT with a total score of 300. The maximum score a soldier can receive per event is 100 points for a total score of 500. The requirement for each event varies according to gender and age.
The following is a list of the events in the Army Fitness Test AFT:
3 Repetition Maximum Deadlift (MDL)
A soldier must deadlift the maximum weight possible three times.
The MDL assesses the muscular strength component of fitness by measuring your lower body, grip, and core strength. It requires well-conditioned back and leg muscles which helps soldiers avoid hip, knee, and lower back injuries. Flexibility and balance are other aspects of fitness that are assessed by the MDL.
Preparation
On the command of “GET SET,” a soldier will step inside the hex bar at the center of the handles, with feet shoulder width apart. They’ll bend at the knees and hips, reach down, and grasp the center of the handles using a closed grip. Arms are fully extended, back is flat, head aligns with the spine or is slightly extended, and heels are in contact with the ground. Each repetition begins from this position.
Upward movement
On the command of “GO,” a soldier will lift the bar by straightening their hips and knees in order to reach the straddle stance. Their hips should not rise before or above their shoulders. Their back should remain straight, not rounded out or flexed. Their feet will remain in the same position. A soldier and the weight must remain balanced and controlled throughout the movement.
Downward movement
After reaching the straddle stance position, soldiers will lower the bar back to the ground under control while maintaining a straight back. The bar must be placed on the ground and not dropped. The weight plates must touch the ground to complete a repetition.
Scoring the deadlift
A soldier will lift the maximum weight possible three times using a 60-pound hex bar and plates. For a complete guide of test score requirements, visit this link.
Hand-Release Push-Up Arm Extension (HRP)
A soldier will complete as many HRPs as possible in two minutes.
The HRP assesses the muscular endurance component of fitness by measuring a soldier’s upper body endurance. The HRP is a strong driver for upper body and core strength training. Flexibility is a secondary component of fitness assessed by the HRP.
Starting position
On the command of “GET SET,” one soldier in each lane will assume the prone position facing the start line with hands flat on the ground and index fingers inside the outer edges of the shoulders. The chest and front of the hips and thighs will be on the ground. Toes will touch the ground with feet together or up to a boot’s width apart. The ankles will be flexed. The head does not have to be on the ground. Feet will remain generally together, no more than a boot’s width apart, throughout the HRP.
Movement 01
On the command “GO,” a soldier will push their whole body up from the ground as a single unit to the up position by fully extending the elbows (front leaning rest).
The soldier will maintain a generally straight body alignment from the top of the head to the ankles. This generally straight position will be maintained for the duration of the HRP.
Failing to maintain a generally straight alignment during a repetition will cause that repetition to not count.
The front leaning rest is the only authorized rest position. Bending or flexing the knees, hips, trunk, or neck while in the rest position is not authorized.
Movement 02
After the elbows are fully extended and the soldier has reached the up position, the soldier will bend their elbows to lower the body back to the ground. The chest, hips, and thighs should touch down at the same time. The head or face do not have to contact the ground.
Movement 03
Without moving the head, body, or legs, the soldier fully extends both arms into the T position until the arms are generally straight out to the side. The arms and hands may touch or slide along the ground during this hand-release movement.
Movement 04
The soldier immediately moves his or her hands back on the ground to return to the starting position to complete the repetition.
Equipment
Any level surface is good for this event.
More to consider
Soldiers may adjust their feet during the test event as long as they do not lift a foot off the ground.
Scoring the Hand-Release Push-Up
A soldier will complete as many hand-release push-up repetitions as they can in two minutes, with different benchmarks depending on their age and gender. Download the scoring scale to see what’s expected.
Sprint-Drag-Carry (SDC)
A soldier will conduct five 50-meter shuttles—sprint, drag, lateral, carry, and sprint—for time.
The SDC assesses the muscular endurance, muscular strength, anaerobic power, and anaerobic endurance components of fitness by measuring a soldier’s ability to sustain moderate- to high-intensity muscular work over a short duration. Secondary components of fitness assessed by the SDC include balance, coordination, agility, flexibility, and reaction time.
Starting position
On the command of “GET SET,” a soldier will assume the prone position with the top of their head behind the start line.
Sprint
On the command “GO,” a soldier will stand and sprint 25 meters; touch the 25-meter line with foot and hand; turn and sprint back to the start line. If they fail to touch the 25-meter line with their hand and foot, they will be called back.
Drag
Soldiers will grasp each strap handle, which will be positioned and resting on the sled behind the start line; pull the sled backwards until the entire sled crosses the 25-meter line; turn the sled around and pull back until the entire sled crosses the start line. If the entire sled does not cross the 25 meters or start line, the grader watching the 25-meter turn line will call them back.
Lateral
After the entire sled crosses the start line, they will perform a lateral for 25 meters, touch the 25-meter turn line with their foot and hand, and perform the lateral back to the start line. They will face the same direction moving back to the 25-meter start line and returning to the start line so they lead with each foot. If they fail to touch the 25-meter turn line with their hand and foot, they will be called back.
Carry
Soldiers will grasp the handles of the two 40-pound kettlebells and run to the 25-meter turn line, step on or over the 25-meter turn line with one foot, turn, and run back to the start line. If they drop the kettlebells during movement, the carry will resume from the point the kettlebells were dropped. If they fail to touch the 25-meter turn line with their foot, they will be called back.
Finishing position
After stepping on or over the start line, soldiers will place the kettlebells on the ground, turn and sprint 25 meters, touch the 25-meter turn line with their foot and hand, turn, and sprint back to the start line. If they fail to touch the 25-meter turn line with their hand and foot, they will be called back.
Equipment
Two 40-pound kettlebells and a 90-pound sled are required for this event.
More to consider
The time is stopped when a soldier crosses the start line after the final sprint (250 meters total).
Scoring the Sprint-Drag-Carry
A soldier will conduct five 50-meter shuttles—sprint, drag, lateral, carry, and sprint—within a certain time range depending on their age and gender. Download the scoring scale to see what’s expected.
Plank (PLK)
A soldier must maintain a proper plank position for as long as possible.
The PLK tests the muscular endurance component of fitness by measuring core strength and endurance. Balance is a secondary component of fitness assessed by the PLK.
Starting position
On the command “GET READY” a soldier’s hands must be on the ground, either in fists with the pinky side of the hand touching the ground or lying flat with palms down, no more than fist-width apart. Elbows will be bent, aligned with shoulders and forearms flat on the ground forming a triangle. Hips should be bent with one or both knees resting on the ground.
Execution
- On the command “GET SET,” a soldier will lift both knees off the ground, with feet up to boot-width apart, and move hips into a straight line with legs, shoulders, head, and eyes focused on the ground
- Elbows should be aligned with shoulders and forearms to form a triangle, while ankles should be flexed with the bottom of toes on the ground
- Maintain body in straight alignment from head to ankles
- Fingers may not be interlocked, interlaced, or touching, and hands can be no more than a boot-width apart
- On the command “GO,” a soldier will move into the proper plank position with their head, shoulders, back, hips, and legs in a straight line from head to heels throughout the event
- Feet, forearms, and fists or palms must remain in contact with the ground
- As long as hands remain in contact with the ground, a soldier may change their hand position from the fist-pinky side down to palms down during the plank
- The event is terminated if any part of the body other than a soldier’s feet, forearms, fists, or palms touch the ground, if they raise a foot or hand off the ground, or if they fail to maintain a straight-line position from head to heels
- Soldiers will receive one verbal warning to correct their position, and the event will be terminated if they’re unable to correct a deficiency or maintain the proper plank position
More to consider
Shaking or trembling as a result of maximum exertion is permitted as long as a soldier can maintain the proper plank position.
Scoring the Plank
A soldier must maintain a proper plank in the straight-line position for as long as possible, with different benchmarks for time depending on your age and gender. Download the scoring scale to see what’s expected.
Two-Mile Run (2MR)
A soldier will run two miles for time on a measured, generally flat outdoor course.
The 2MR assesses the aerobic endurance component of fitness. Higher aerobic endurance enables soldiers to work for long periods of time and recover more quickly when executing repetitive physical tasks.
Course options
The 2MR can be completed on an indoor or outdoor track, or an improved surface like a road or sidewalk. It cannot be tested on unimproved terrain, but out-and-back or lap track courses are authorized.
Equipment
A two-mile run route on level field, track, or running surface.
More to consider
The start and finish line will be near the same location as the test site for the other Army Fitness Test AFT events.
Scoring the Two-Mile Run
A soldier will run two miles on a measured, generally flat outdoor course with different benchmarks for time depending on their age and gender. Download the scoring scale to see what’s expected.
The Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT)
The ACFT was the physical fitness assessment used by the U.S. Army until June 2025. Officially implemented in April 2022, it replaced the decades-old APFT as the standard measure of soldier readiness.
Unlike its predecessor, the ACFT was designed to better reflect the physical demands soldiers face in combat situations. The test evaluated muscular strength, endurance, power, speed, agility, and aerobic fitness through six challenging events.
The Six ACFT Events
The Army ACFT consisted of the following six events, completed in order:
1. Three Repetition Maximum Deadlift (MDL)
Soldiers lifted a hex bar loaded with weights for three repetitions. This tested lower body strength and simulated tasks like lifting ammunition or moving equipment.
2. Standing Power Throw (SPT)
A 10-pound medicine ball was thrown backward and overhead for maximum distance. This event measured explosive power needed for actions like lifting yourself over obstacles or throwing equipment.
3. Hand-Release Push-Up – Arm Extension (HRP)
Soldiers performed push-ups with a complete hand release at the bottom of each repetition. This tested upper body endurance crucial for combat tasks like climbing and buddy carries.
4. Sprint-Drag-Carry (SDC)
This five-part shuttle run included sprinting, dragging a 90-pound sled, lateral shuffles, carrying two 40-pound kettlebells, and another sprint. It simulated the anaerobic demands of combat movement.
5. Plank (PLK)
Soldiers held a forearm plank position for as long as possible, up to a maximum time. This measured core strength essential for injury prevention and load-bearing tasks. The plank replaced the leg tuck.
6. Two-Mile Run (2MR)
The traditional two-mile run tested aerobic endurance critical for sustained operations.
Army Combat Fitness Test Scoring
The ACFT scored chart ranged from 0 to 600 points, with each event worth up to 100 points. The minimum passing score was 360 points overall, with a minimum of 60 points required in each individual event.
ACFT standards were the same for all soldiers regardless of age or gender, though the Army implemented a tiered scoring system:
- Moderate (60-69 points per event): Minimum passing standard
- Significant (70-79 points per event): Above average performance
- Heavy (80-89 points per event): High performance
- Gold (90-100 points per event): Exceptional performance
A soldier’s required performance could vary based on a soldier’s Military Occupational Specialty (MOS), with physically demanding roles requiring higher scores in specific events.
For maximum scores of 100 points per event, soldiers were required to lift 340 pounds, throw 12.5 meters, complete 60+ push-ups, finish the SDC in under 1:33, hold a plank for 4:20, and run two miles in under 13:30.
The AFT vs the ACFT: What Changed
The Army Fitness Test AFT has five events as listed above and the ACFT had six. The Army Fitness Test AFT returns to age and gender based physical training standards whereas the ACFT was age and gender neutral.
The Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT)
We can’t talk about Army fitness training without at least lightly touching on the granddaddy of Army physical training. The APFT served as the Army's standard from 1980 until 2022.
APFT Format
The Army Physical Fitness Test consisted of three events:
- Push-ups (2 minutes)
- Sit-ups (2 minutes)
- Two-mile run
Army PT test standards under the APFT varied significantly by age and gender, with different scoring scales for male and female soldiers across multiple age brackets. Generally speaking, the younger the soldier, the more rigorous the requirements and standards were not only based on age, but gender like the current AFT.
Key Differences: ACFT vs APFT
Comprehensive Assessment: The ACFT tested six different fitness domains rather than three, providing a more complete picture of combat readiness.
Gender and Age Neutral: Army fitness test standards applied equally to all soldiers, reflecting the physical demands of combat that don't discriminate based on demographics.
Combat-Relevant: ACFT events directly simulate battlefield tasks rather than general fitness movements.
Equipment Requirements: The ACFT required specialized equipment (hex bar, medicine ball, sleds, kettlebells) compared to the minimal equipment needed for the APFT.
Scoring System: The ACFT used a 600-point scale versus the APFT's 300-point scale, with different minimum standards.
Injury Prevention Focus: Events like the plank replace sit-ups, which were linked to lower back injuries.
Summary
The Army Fitness Test AFT in 2025 demands more comprehensive preparation than ever before. Success requires building strength, power, endurance, and mastering six distinct events.
Start preparing early using a structured training program that addresses all Army Fitness Test AFT components. Focus on proper technique, progressive overload, and consistent effort. Remember that the Army Fitness Test AFT isn't just about passing a test. It's about ensuring soldiers are physically prepared for the demands of military service.