The U.S. Army just launched its most streamlined and combat-focused fitness test yet. Here’s what the new AFT means for you—and how to dominate it.
With the recent introduction of the Army Fitness Test (AFT) in 2025, following the APFT and ACFT, the Army continues to evolve to meet the demands of modern combat readiness. Understanding these changes is crucial not just for passing your fitness test, but for long-term success in your Army career.
The Legacy of the APFT (1980–2018)
The Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT) served for decades as the gold standard of soldier fitness. It included:
- 2-minute Push-ups
- 2-minute Sit-ups
- 2-mile Run
Each event was scored out of 100 points, adjusted for age and gender. However, the APFT had limitations:
- It measured endurance but ignored strength and power.
- It did not reflect the physical realities of combat.
- It led to training imbalances and high rates of overuse injuries.
Historically, the APFT was simple and easy to administer, which worked well during times of force expansion. But by the 2010s, rising injury rates and the growing complexity of combat operations highlighted its shortcomings.
The ACFT Era (2018–2025)
The Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT) was developed to modernize the Army's approach to fitness and better reflect real-world combat scenarios. The test included six events:
Originally, the ACFT included the Leg Tuck as the core strength and mobility assessment. However, due to high fail rates and concerns about fairness—particularly among female soldiers—it was eventually replaced by the Plank in 2021. The Leg Tuck required soldiers to hang from a bar and bring their knees to their elbows repeatedly, which tested grip, core, and upper body strength. While effective, it lacked scalability and was often a point of failure that didn’t always correlate with overall combat readiness.
- 3 Rep Max Deadlift (MDL)
- Standing Power Throw (SPT)
- Hand-Release Push-Ups (HRP)
- Sprint-Drag-Carry (SDC)
- Plank (PLK)
- 2-Mile Run (2MR)
The ACFT aimed to measure strength, power, endurance, and agility. Initially gender- and age-neutral, scoring was later adjusted to address fairness concerns. Despite its combat relevance, the ACFT had drawbacks:
- High equipment requirements (sleds, bars, medicine balls)
- Elevated injury rates, especially with SPT
- Logistical challenges in remote or resource-limited settings
The ACFT served as a critical transition, laying the groundwork for future improvements while prompting continuous assessment of feasibility, safety, and performance outcomes.
Introducing the AFT (2025–Present)
Launched in mid-2025, the Army Fitness Test (AFT) builds on lessons learned from both APFT and ACFT. The current AFT includes five events:
- 3 Rep Max Deadlift (MDL)
- Hand-Release Push-Ups (HRP)
- Sprint-Drag-Carry (SDC)
- Plank (PLK)
- 2-Mile Run (2MR)
Key changes in the AFT:
- Removal of the Standing Power Throw due to injury risk and logistical burden
- Simplified equipment list for broader accessibility
- Refined scoring structure:
- Combat MOS: Gender-neutral, age-adjusted (60+ points per event)
- Non-combat MOS: Gender- and age-based (300 points total)
The AFT aligns closely with combat readiness, while addressing the administrative and safety limitations of the ACFT.
➡️ View the full AFT scoring standards by MOS here
Why the Changes Matter
“This effort will ensure that our standards are clear, mission-focused, and reflective of the unique physical demands placed on our service members in various roles.”— Pete Hegseth, United States Secretary of Defense.
The transition from APFT to ACFT and now AFT is more than a scoring update—it represents a shift in philosophy:
- Data-Driven: Informed by injury stats and operational performance. RAND studies and Army Public Health Center data were crucial in showing the need for tests that reduced preventable injuries.
- Combat-Focused: Emphasizes strength, agility, and mobility under stress.
- Holistic Readiness: Aligns with H2F (Holistic Health & Fitness) doctrine to build resilient soldiers—physically, mentally, and emotionally.
Evidence Behind the Evolution
Numerous studies, performance audits, and direct field reports played a role in shaping the Army’s evolving fitness test design over the past decade. The Army has worked to balance combat effectiveness, injury reduction, gender equity, and operational feasibility at every stage.
- A 2023 RAND Corporation study evaluated early ACFT data and revealed that although the test better reflected battlefield tasks, injury spikes on testing days—especially in the Standing Power Throw and Sprint-Drag-Carry—raised concerns. The report also showed that logistical constraints in field units reduced the frequency and consistency of testing across the force, leading to gaps in soldier readiness tracking (RAND, 2023).
- The Baseline Soldier Physical Readiness Requirements Study (BSPRRS) helped define which physical movements were essential to combat performance. This landmark study identified sprinting, lifting, dragging, jumping, and bracing as critical battlefield functions. These insights helped shape the ACFT’s six events and later validated the removal of the Standing Power Throw in the AFT due to its weak correlation with actual combat effectiveness (Army.mil, 2021).
- According to a 2025 Army Times report, commanders expressed frustration over SPT-related shoulder injuries and equipment shortages, especially in austere environments. A key quote from a battalion commander stated: “It’s not that our soldiers can’t perform; it’s that we can’t get the gear to test them reliably.” The article emphasized how operational logistics directly influenced the decision to revise the test.
- Military.com contributed to the discussion by examining gender-related scoring disparities in the ACFT. Their 2025 feature noted that while female soldiers had high pass rates overall, they consistently underperformed in strength-based events like the deadlift and power throw. This imbalance prompted a shift toward MOS-specific and gender-informed scoring categories in the AFT, improving both fairness and retention.
- Army Public Health Center reports from 2018 to 2022 revealed that APFT-focused units experienced higher musculoskeletal injury rates due to repetitive-motion overtraining (e.g., high-volume sit-ups and running). In contrast, ACFT test training promoted broader movement patterns and improved core and posterior chain strength—though it introduced equipment dependence and inconsistent scoring.
These combined insights show that the Army’s changes were not arbitrary—they were deliberate, informed by soldier health data, scientific validation, and direct operational experience. The AFT represents a more refined, effective, and mission-aligned fitness standard that meets both the needs of combat units and the constraints of field conditions.
Comparative Analysis
- Events: APFT – 3 | ACFT – 6 | AFT – 5
- Focus: APFT – Endurance | ACFT – Strength, power, endurance, agility | AFT – Combat readiness, functional fitness
- Complexity: APFT – Low | ACFT – High | AFT – Moderate
- Equipment Required: APFT – None | ACFT – Trap bar, medicine ball, sled (varied gear) | AFT – Trap bar, sled (simplified gear)
- Combat Relevance: APFT – Low | ACFT – High | AFT – High
- Scoring Method: APFT – Age & gender-based | ACFT – Initially neutral, now adjusted | AFT – Split: Combat vs non-combat MOS
- Injury Risk: APFT – High (repetitive stress) | ACFT – Moderate (SPT risks) | AFT – Lower (SPT removed)
- Administrative Ease: APFT – High | ACFT – Low | AFT – Moderate
Training Smarter for the AFT
To succeed in the AFT, your training should be specific, functional, and sustainable:
- Strength: Focus on deadlifts, sled drags, carries
- Push-Up Endurance: Add tempo and resistance push-ups
- Agility and Conditioning: Use HIIT and agility ladders for SDC prep
- Core Stability: Include planks, anti-rotation holds, and loaded carries
- Running: Mix intervals, tempo runs, and hill sprints
Use a balanced, periodized plan that mimics real movements—not just cardio routines.
ArmyFit – Your Digital Edge
Formerly known as the ACFT App, ArmyFit is now the premier tool for preparing and managing AFT performance:
- Built-in AFT calculator
- Auto-grades your test events
- Bulk exports to DA 705
- Body composition calculator
- Integrated training plans and AI coach
- Video demos and event timers
Whether you're testing yourself or managing an entire unit, ArmyFit streamlines the process.
What the Fitness Test Evolution Reveals About the Modern Soldier
The shift from APFT to ACFT to AFT reveals the Army’s commitment to building a more resilient, combat-ready, and health-conscious force. These tests are not just performance checklists—they’re diagnostic tools that help leaders monitor soldier wellness, identify training gaps, and build programs rooted in longevity and combat realism.
Today’s Army recognizes that physical readiness isn’t about how fast you run a 2-mile—it’s about whether you can lift, move, recover, and fight with intensity and control. The AFT underscores that modern soldiering demands functional strength, movement efficiency, and injury resistance.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: Why did the Army replace the APFT?
The APFT primarily tested endurance and did not measure strength or combat functionality, leading to training imbalances and more injuries.
Q2: What made the ACFT more effective but controversial?
It emphasized strength and power, aligning with combat needs, but was logistically difficult to administer and initially had gender-neutral scoring issues.
Q3: What’s different in the new AFT?
The AFT drops the Standing Power Throw, introduces dual scoring categories by MOS, and improves safety and clarity while maintaining functional testing.
Q4: Where can I find training tools and score calculators?
You can use the ArmyFit app for event tracking, grading, and training plans.
Q5: Is the AFT easier or harder than the ACFT?
It’s more practical and slightly easier to implement, but still requires full-body fitness and focused preparation to perform well.
Final Thoughts
Army fitness testing has progressed from basic endurance in the APFT to full-spectrum readiness in the AFT. With each step, the Army has moved toward a stronger, safer, and smarter force. Embrace the change, train with purpose, and use tools like ArmyFit to lead from the front.
References:
Army. (2025). Army introduces new fitness test for 2025. U.S. Army. https://www.army.mil/aft
Sitewell Solutions. (2025). ACFT to AFT: How the Army’s fitness test is evolving. https://sitewellsolutions.com/acft-to-aft-how-the-army%E2%80%99s-fitness-test-is-evolving
Military.com. (2025). Tweaks to Army's Physical Fitness Test Are Relatively Modest. https://www.military.com/daily-news/2025/05/08/tweaks-armys-physical-fitness-test-are-relatively-modest.html
Google Play. (2025). ArmyFit App. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.acftapp.acftlite
Apple App Store. (2025). ArmyFit. https://apps.apple.com/us/app/armyfit/id1438589226
Wikipedia. (2025). Army Combat Fitness Test. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Army_Combat_Fitness_Test
RAND Corporation. (2023). ACFT Implementation and Effects Report. https://www.rand.org/pubs/research_reports/RRA2005-1.html
Army Times. (2025). Ditching the Standing Power Throw Strengthens the Army Fitness Test. https://www.armytimes.com/opinion/2025/05/01/ditching-the-standing-power-throw-strengthens-the-army-fitness-test
Army.mil. (2021). BSPRRS Study: Physical Demands of Combat Roles. https://www.army.mil/article/252784