Posted on Jun 26, 2017
As a Master Fitness Trainer, and dealing with Unit level PT goals, do you believe that PRT is affective?
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Over the years, I have heard many different viewpoints about PRT. Having gone through the course, I learned many things and most of all learned how to properly do PRT. Trying to change the stigma of PRT has been a difficult one and it takes a lot of patience when trying to teach PRT correctly. With all this being done, I still hear a lot of people saying PRT is ineffective and should be gone.
PRT (Army)
Physical Training
AR 600-9
Fitness
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 15
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As a Drill Sergeant I have witnessed PRT be extremely effective. We have kids of the video game generation with zero athletic experience go from doing zero push ups, zero sit ups, and 20 min two mile runs too being able to pass with 50 points in each event. While the scores are not outstanding in their own right the transormation of the level of conditioning it's impressive. When done correctly I firmly believe PRT is effective.
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SPC Glenn Lovell
50 being the benchmark, I'm sure the DS' are getting most of them above 50. But 0-50 is a massive achievement.
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Suspended Profile
Cpl Earl Armstrong - That is absolutely impossible.
An average unit in the Army, of soldiers who have -years- of physical fitness instruction and experience under them, won't see 100% of soldiers having 280+. So why would you think that 9 weeks is enough time to accomplish this?
Basic is about getting civilian children, and occasionally adults, to the standard. Not far exceeding it.
An average unit in the Army, of soldiers who have -years- of physical fitness instruction and experience under them, won't see 100% of soldiers having 280+. So why would you think that 9 weeks is enough time to accomplish this?
Basic is about getting civilian children, and occasionally adults, to the standard. Not far exceeding it.
SFC (Join to see)
Cpl Earl Armstrong - Sounds like you should go be a Drill Sergeant/Drill Instructor; you might do better. Good luck!
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Cpl Earl Armstrong
I don't believe an average of 280 out of basic is impossible not unless recruiting standards are so low the Army will take anyone with a heartbeat. I know this has been years ago 1994 to be exact the Marines made me take a pft before I was allowed to ship to boot camp. I was already scoring 220 before I entered boot camp. At 18-25 the age of the avg boot you should already be in good shape and after basic you should be in the best shape of your life. So 280 is a realistic goal
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I think too many Soldiers expect PRT program to somehow create Soldier athletes and don't really understand how the program works and what it is designed to do.
My understanding is that PRT, is designed to build and train muscle movement that will be useful during combat. But, like any fitness program, it relies on proper diet and sleep to be effective. I think this is a major area that needs improvement, Army Wide. When this is combined with half-assed PRT programs, you get results that don't meet expectations.
My understanding is that PRT, is designed to build and train muscle movement that will be useful during combat. But, like any fitness program, it relies on proper diet and sleep to be effective. I think this is a major area that needs improvement, Army Wide. When this is combined with half-assed PRT programs, you get results that don't meet expectations.
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SPC Brady Allen
Completely agree with you. I think where we lose the effectiveness of PRT is at the Unit. Unfortunately, changing that trend is hard when senior leaders think otherwise. After I completed the course, I instructed all TL's and above the proper steps of PRT. I emphasized how soldiers and leaders USUALLY do an exercise and the correct way, explaining what one is supposed to feel when correctly doing an exercise (I.e squat bender, windmill, and rower).
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Definitely agree with the guys that say that PRT is effective. And just like you said, there is still many leaders in the Army that do not believe the in the new PRT programs and also refuse to embrace it which is unacceptable.
One of my Brigade SGM once decided to take over PT and conduct it for 30 days. His plan was 30 day running challenge (which was not a challenge because it was mandatory). It went something like: 3 days a week doing long runs and two days doing sprints. It was not long into this PT plan that many soldiers started getting shin splints and other injuries. Many of them (even guys with 300 APFT score) ended up in getting temp profiles. I am sure that his intentions were good, but the problem is that he did not have an understanding about the PRT principles of precision, progression, and integration in order to avoid injuries.
One of my Brigade SGM once decided to take over PT and conduct it for 30 days. His plan was 30 day running challenge (which was not a challenge because it was mandatory). It went something like: 3 days a week doing long runs and two days doing sprints. It was not long into this PT plan that many soldiers started getting shin splints and other injuries. Many of them (even guys with 300 APFT score) ended up in getting temp profiles. I am sure that his intentions were good, but the problem is that he did not have an understanding about the PRT principles of precision, progression, and integration in order to avoid injuries.
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