The Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT) is a new way for the U.S. Army to check how fit its soldiers are. It has replaced the old Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT) and is a more thorough test, closely mirroring the physical demands of today’s warfare.
Six events make up the ACFT, testing different aspects of physical fitness. These events are the deadlift, standing power throw, hand-release push-ups, sprint-drag-carry, leg tuck, and a two-mile run. Each event gets its own score, and these are added up to give an overall test score.
The deadlift checks lower body strength, the standing power throw measures upper body power, and hand-release push-ups test upper body endurance. The sprint-drag-carry checks overall athleticism and cardiovascular endurance. The leg tuck assesses core strength, and the two-mile run measures aerobic endurance.
The ACFT is tougher than the APFT, and soldiers must pass it with a minimum score to stay physically ready. The minimum score needed changes based on the soldier’s age and gender.
Soldiers preparing for the ACFT should focus on overall fitness, with attention to the areas measured by the test. This involves a mix of strength training, cardio, and functional fitness exercises.
ACFT Calculator
Gender | Age | ||
Maximum Deadlift (lbs.) | |||
lbs. | points | ||
Standing Power Throw (m) | |||
m | points | ||
Hand-Release Push-Ups (reps) | |||
reps | points | ||
Sprint Drag Carry (m:s) | |||
m s | points | ||
Plank (m:s) | |||
m s | points | ||
2 Mile Run (m:s) | |||
m s | points | ||