NEW BRITISH ARMY FITNESS TESTS

[Gil Boyd]

New Army Fitness test Video (I suppose it is better than pressups and situps etc!)

British Army to introduce 'gender and age-neutral' fitness tests | Daily Mail Online

Information

Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

[browningautorifle]

Gil, we started testing like that a couple decades back, I'm not sure it achieves anything. You still have to do these things and if you don't there needs to be a cut line. There didn't seem to be any difference if you passed or not. What's their plan? Besides, we know why we want young strong men in combat and not women and old men. I didn't know why there was an age cut off of 41 for men in combat until I got to that age, and specially NOW I understand clearly why there were the parameters.

Yes, we've been doing this for some time...

[Gil Boyd]

Jim,
I thought I would put it up for a good laugh. It always amazes me when our PTI's think something is new. The only way fitness can be measured is the old beep test, now that is what fitness is all about, building and then maintaining a good alround level of fitness.
All of those tests were basic exceptance tests in Police Firearms units, it has taken the Army a while to catch up. Many tests sadly are reduced these days to enable both sexes a fair chance of passing!!!!!!

[Sunray]

"...why there was an age cut off..." Thought that about the mandatory retirement age of 55. Understand it completely now. snicker.
Cops here recently announced there'd be no more fitness testing at the Provincial Cop School. Lotta serving cops would die if they had to pass it now. 4 minute mile. Think in terms of 'Mike Biggs' of Mike & Molly.

[browningautorifle]

the old beep test

Yes, last one I did was in '06...a while now.

Still, we use pushups, situps and chinups...and haven't dropped anything. The old testing is still there, 10 milers for time, mile and a half, two mile runs, 10K fitness challenges...on and on. None left, just different ones added.

Saying no one fails isn't right either, when doing overseas selection people failed. Mind, some were just re-assigned to static positions.

[Peter Laidler]

I wouldn't agree with Gil that the bleep test is the only true test of fitness. Sorry Gil. The bleep test, tests your ability to, er....., pass the bleep test! The true test of fitness includes the mental ability to overcome the hurdles. For example, the 8 foot wall in skeleton/fighting order when you are absolutely whacked out. It's called gumption and tenacity. Another proof of this is the relentless toughness that follows day after day as BAR speaks of. Here's an example of that. P Company where there is absolutely no slacking, just non-too-polite 'coaxing' from the PTI's that are actually doing it alongside you. Followed by the ritual humiliation if you are RTU'd. That's the biggest encouragement. In my case, it was that and the knowledge that I'd be posted to Aden. Instead, I stuck it out.

In my regular time there was a school of thought that everyone and each part of the Army was to be as fit and tough as the other. There was NEVER to be a repeat of what they used to call 'the Singapore problem' where while there were thousands of soldiers there, thousands of the back room bottle-washers were untrained and unfit. And seemingly, they buckled

There's also a mental strength part too that nobody will ever want to discuss outside of a close gathering. At what point as a section commander do you decide to abandon the weak? The lame? And the lazy? I hope that this discussion continues as I'll mention something else............

[Daan Kemp]

A fitness test proves only one thing, your ability to pass the test, nothing else. To pass the test you practice that test only.

For the result to be meaningful it has to be linked to the purpose of the test, ie battle readiness, selection, etc; which implies that other related aspects be considered at the same time, such as marksmanship, drills, initiative, etc.

[browningautorifle]

'the Singapore problem'

That one you can understand immediately, and it remains. People join to get a job and NOT be infantry. Same problem surfaced when screening for this last thing took place. They wanted the proposed "Close combat badge" but didn't want to put in the effort... Same thing...

To pass the test you practice that test only.

Quite true. That's how you get the gazelles and guys with hugs arms and shoulders that can't stand up to the relentless effort needed during lack of sleep, food, rest and carrying stuff the whole time. Those guys seem to be on light duty when the crunch comes.

[Gil Boyd]

Got you all fired up, thats what I like to see.

Saw many a man in the Army who couldn't get over a wall without team work, thats because the Pioneer Corps built them too high

[bigduke6]

I wouldn't agree with Gil that the bleep test is the only true test of fitness

Have to admit I'm the same when it comes to that, I much prefer the 1 1/2 mile....... the stop start on a bleep combined with the turn not good when you have broke your ankle twice...... but it is surprising a lot lads do prefer it !!!