Stew Smith Fitness News

This week, an Army soldier asked me about the week prior to taking the PFT. "What is it that you recommend to do one week out from your PFT? Is it similar to preparing for a running race like a marathon and tapering a few weeks before it?" A week before the physical fitness test is an easier week than your normal workouts should be. If you are on a fitness program similar to the Military Physical Fitness Testing plans on the StewSmith.com Fitness eBook store, it is best to take the last week prior to the PFT and rest...

The physical fitness tests of all branches of the military and other special units have differing exercises, standards, and distances in runs and swims. This week’s article is a one-stop location for answers to the many different PFTs in our Department of Defense. The Army physical fitness test consists of a 2 mile run, sit-ups and push-ups. Check out his link: Army PFT Scores - for answers to exact numbers needed and grades received for the army test. See this link for specific guidance on getting in shape to score an outstanding score of 300. West Point - See how...

This week, I had some great emails from you. Here are the ones I considered my Top Ten. They range in subject but are relevant to fitness and health. Feel free to email if you have some questions at stew@stewsmith.com1) Should I lift the weights as fast as possible? Of course, I know to lower them slower, but on the positive portion of the exercise, I am unsure. If you are lifting weights to prepare for the PFT or Bootcamp then you can stop lifting as much. You should see the article in the archive called There are No Weights...

This week I received an email from a soldier who writes:Every time I take the PFT, I ace the PT part but my run is much worse than if I ran first. Does the PT take that much out of me that I cannot run my normal pace had I not done the PT first?As with any test, you have to learn how to take tests to score better. There are entire schools and curricula devoted to helping students pass the SAT, ACT and even the ASVAB. The schools are not so much devoted to teaching subjects, but showing students...

This week I received an email from a soldier who writes: I have been in the military for 17 years and am currently serving as a reservist. This weekend they informed me that I would be running the PT test in one month. I don't have any problem with the crunch or push-up portion, but the running and especially the waist circumference could use some work. The best way for me to get more points would be to shave off 2" from my waist, and possibly drop a minute or two from my run time. Is it possible to do...