ACFT 4.0: What You Need to Know (No More Leg Tucks!)

Hey fitness fanatics and warriors-in-training! The Army’s Combat Fitness Test (ACFT) has had more upgrades than your favorite smartphone, and the latest version, ACFT 4.0, is here to put your mettle to the test. But fear not, recruits! This post is your one-stop shop for understanding the changes, what stayed the same, and why you can finally kiss those dreaded leg tucks goodbye.

What’s New in ACFT 4.0?

• Sayonara, Events! ACFT 4.0 sheds the six-event marathon, focusing on three key areas: Lateral Body Press (think fancy push-ups), Supine Trunk Raises (aka, crunches that don’t break your back), and the classic 2-Mile Run. This streamlined approach lets you focus on core strength, upper-body power, and endurance without juggling juggling weights or tripping over sandbags.
• Scoring Shake-Up: Remember those confusing points per repetition tables? Gone! ACFT 4.0 introduces age and gender-normed scoring. This means you’ll be compared to Soldiers in your own category, making the test fairer and more motivating. No more feeling like a shrimp amongst sharks!
• Walk This Way: Feeling less than thrilled about the run? You’re in luck! ACFT 4.0 offers the 2.5-Mile Walk as an alternate aerobic event. Perfect for Soldiers recovering from injuries or who prefer a more low-impact option.

What’s Still the Same in ACFT 4.0?

• Get Your Sweat On: While some events have moved on, the ACFT’s core mission remains the same: assessing overall physical fitness. You’ll still break a sweat and push your limits, just in a slightly different way.
• Minimum Scores Matter: Passing the ACFT 4.0 still requires hitting 60 points in each event (or “GO” on the walk) and completing the entire test. No shortcuts, soldier!
• Holistic Health Focus: The ACFT is just one piece of the Army’s Holistic Health and Fitness System. Remember, mental toughness, nutrition, and overall well-being are all essential for peak performance.

Why the ACFT Scoring Change?

The old scoring system wasn’t exactly a walk in the park (literally). It didn’t account for age and gender differences, leading to frustration and confusion. The new system, based on real Soldier data, creates a fairer and more motivating environment, encouraging everyone to strive for their personal best.

New ACFT Scoring Scales

Event	Gender	Points	17-21	22-26	27-31	32-36	37-41	42-46	47-51	52-56	57-61	62+
MDL (lbs)	Female	100	210	230	230	230	210	210	190	190	170	170
	Male	100	340	340	340	340	340	340	330	290	250	230
SPT (meters)	Female	100	8.4	8.5	8.7	8.6	8.2	8.1	7.8	7.4	6.6	6.6
	Male	100	12.6	13.0	13.1	12.9	12.8	12.3	11.6	10.6	9.9	9.0
HRP (reps)	Female	100	53	50	48	47	41	36	35	30	24	24
	Male	100	57	61	62	60	59	56	55	51	46	43
SDC (m:ss)	Female	100	1:55	1:55	1:55	1:59	2:02	2:09	2:11	2:18	2:26	2:26
	Male	100	1:29	1:30	1:30	1:33	1:36	1:40	1:45	1:52	1:58	2:09
PLK (m:ss)	Female	100	3:40	3:35	3:30	3:25	3:20	3:20	3:20	3:20	3:20	3:20
	Male	100	3:40	3:35	3:30	3:25	3:20	3:20	3:20	3:20	3:20	3:20
2MR (mm:ss)	Female	100	15:29	15:00	15:00	15:18	15:30	15:49	15:58	16:29	17:18	17:18
	Male	100	13:22	13:27	13:31	13:42	13:58	14:05	14:30	15:09	15:28	15:28

What’s Next for the Army Combat Fitness Test?

The Army’s always got one eye on the future, and the ACFT is no exception. An ACFT Governance Body is constantly monitoring data and feedback, ready to make adjustments as needed. Who knows, maybe next time we’ll see burpees make a comeback (just kidding… maybe).

Bonus Round: ACFT 3.0 Recap

Think of ACFT 3.0 as the awkward middle child of the ACFT family. It had the six events, the confusing scoring, and a whole lot of leg tucks. It wasn’t perfect, but it paved the way for the streamlined and fairer ACFT 4.0 we have today. So, a silent salute to ACFT 3.0 for its service!

There you have it, folks! The lowdown on ACFT 4.0. Remember, it’s all about being the best version of yourself and pushing your limits in a fair and motivating way. So, lace up your boots, embrace the crunches, and conquer the new ACFT like the warrior you are!

And don’t forget, this is just a starting point. If you have any questions or want to delve deeper into specific aspects of ACFT 4.0, feel free to leave a comment below!

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