Military fitness is so much more than merely surviving a physical evaluation or looking book-smart in uniform—it is an integral part of readiness. Any military unit’s success rests directly on the shoulders of the physical and mental well-being of its personnel. From World War I’s muddy trenches to today’s technologically sophisticated battlefield, training methods for militaries have marched forward with developments in exercise science, combat requirements, and leadership theory.
Modern training is far more advanced, especially resistance training. Movement tempo—a repetition rate—is one such variable that has come under examination. Research suggests that, along with training load, volume, and recovery, tempo is a strongly influencing variable in strength and muscle development. Consciously slow tempos are often used with lighter loads to allow precise control, and slower tempos naturally result from lifting heavier or fatigued weights.
Slow or rapid movement is not always optimal; best results often come from the combination of slower lowering phases with quicker lifting movements. Slower tempos provide more time under tension, which can build muscle without greater weight, and quick lifts educate the nervous system for strength. For warfighters, this balance is paramount in building stamina as much as pure strength with minimal risk of injury.
Modern military fitness is far more than push-ups, sit-ups, and a jog around the block in the morning. The U.S. Army’s Holistic Health and Fitness (H2F) system is a change of mind. As Gen. Paul E. Funk II explains it, H2F is about perfecting every aspect of a Soldier’s performance, from physical fitness to mental resilience, diet, sleep, and even spiritual health. A dedicated Human Performance Team supports this plan, not just hoping to maintain Soldiers but growing their abilities—preparing them for the unpredictable and often brutal realities of today’s conflict.
At the heart of this change is the Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT), which replaced the older Army Physical Fitness Test. Unlike its predecessor, the ACFT is designed to replicate the physical demands of combat.
The ACFT measures strength, power, agility, balance, coordination, and aerobic endurance—capacities that calisthenics and running cannot develop fully. Leaders are responsible for defending time for physical fitness and setting an example, helping to infuse total health into day-to-day military practice.
Physical requirements are also high in service academies and top-level military sports programs. The Candidate Fitness Assessment (CFA), a requirement for admission to the Naval, Air Force, and Military Academies, evaluates strength, endurance, cardio-respiratory fitness, balance, power, and agility in six events within 40 minutes.
Maximum performance requirements are rigorous—male candidates may be asked to complete 18 pull-ups, 75 push-ups, and run a mile in more than five minutes, with modified requirements for women candidates. The CFA is not just a physical assessment; it tests the endurance, coordination, and toughness that will be needed by future officers.
High-level combat competitors are put through even more specialized evaluations. In judo, for example, performance is measured by the Special Judo Fitness Test (SJFT) via the count of the throws completed in the form of timed sets and heart rate responses. It has been shown that performance in the test is most closely related to anaerobic power, sprint speed, and explosive strength, while flexibility, body composition, or handgrip strength have a lesser contribution. This shows the manner in which specific, targeted fitness is at the heart of establishing combat sports readiness.
Leadership is central to this cultural change. Embracing holistic, science-based training requires leaders who are invested in fitness and permit it, even in challenging operating conditions. As Gen. Funk makes the point, protecting training time and planning effective sessions is not optional—it’s vital. Fixing things on the fly is no longer adequate; preparedness for the future depends on a culture that includes physical, mental, and emotional conditioning.
Military readiness is purposeful, strategic, and science-driven. The interface among smart training methodologies, comprehensive whole health approaches, and focused assessment protocols is the basis for readiness in today’s time and space. As combatant needs evolve and transform, so too must militaries’ methodologies for getting their people ready—so Soldiers are always able to take that extra step, endure one more hardship, and accomplish a little more than the enemy expects.