Training Mentality

Preparing for a PT test can be quite challenging. There are two distinct mentalities when it comes to training: training for the test and training to the best of our abilities. If you fall into the first group, the reason you are running every morning is to pass the PT test. I am not saying that there is anything wrong with this mentality. This focus will shape your workout. Since the exercises performed during a PT test are 2 minutes of push-ups, sit-ups, and a two-mile run for time, all exercises performed should be designed to improve one of these areas. By mimicking the design of test, workouts will better prepare you for success. For example, doing three minutes of push-ups and sit-ups before running two miles as fast as you can everyday will drastically improve your score. Repetition will build muscle memory and increased performance in those activities. For someone with this mentality, any other workout is a waste of time. The second approach is that the PT test is simply an evaluation of physical fitness. This approach will encourage an individual to improve his or her overall level of fitness, including muscle groups that lie outside the testing parameters. This approach will make soldiers much stronger and more fit; however, it may lead to lower results on the Army Physical Fitness Test. Even with this approach, some time you must do some push-ups and sit-ups. The only way to do well on push-ups is by doing push-ups. Feel free to diversify your workouts, but make sure you have plenty of push and sit-ups in the plan. I know this has been somewhat abstract, but there is a simple takeaway: no matter what mentality you have concerning PT, make sure your plans include plenty of push-ups and sit-ups.