Posted on Sep 25, 2018
APFT alternate event: 6.2-Mile Stationary-Cycle Ergometer Test, what's the best way to train for it? Can you use the ergometer bike at MWR?
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When I was stationed at Fort Sam Houston they had a ergometer bike in view of the front desk and I trained on that for my APFT. I PCSed to Fort Gordon and inquired at Victory Gym 3 on base to see when you could sign up to use it. The gym employee told me its only used for APFTs. When I told her I wanted to also train on it she told me it was not allowed as that was cheating.
Fort Eisenhower
APFT
MWR
Posted 6 y ago
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Sounds like the employee was pulling that out of her butt. I don't see how training on the bike under test conditions is any different then training to run under test conditions, dong pushups and situps under test conditions, or swimming laps under test conditions.
You could consider talking to the manager of the gym about using the bike and requesting to see documentation that states that it is considered cheating.
Other then that, I suggest setting a normal exercise bike at the highest resistance you can handle and use it.
You could consider talking to the manager of the gym about using the bike and requesting to see documentation that states that it is considered cheating.
Other then that, I suggest setting a normal exercise bike at the highest resistance you can handle and use it.
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SGT Victoria Belbusti
I have an ICE comment in but based on my experience at Fort Gordon, that will not go far.
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MAJ (Join to see)
SGT Victoria Belbusti - Try a different gym employee and you'll probably be just fine, but also understand that the bike is normally reserved for use. If you can't get an attempt on your own have your commander schedule you a diagnostic test so you at least are familiar with how the bike operates. For workouts any upright bike will work, I normally use the electric ones on a resistance setting of 9. The main difference between the official stationary bike and a standard one is the room, which typically has low airflow and high humidity. The physical workout doesn't change much if you can find similar resistance settings it's a fairly significant resistance so try the bike then find a similar setting on a regular workout bike.
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SPC (Join to see)
Sadly, this is a common response on Gordon. I had many people in my former unit who did the bike for their APFT and were not allowed to practice on the bike for the same reason.
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I feel like she just didn’t want you to use it. Instead of using the bike for the 6.2 mile alternate event. Have you thought of the 800M swim? Or 2.5 mile walk? I’m not sure what your limitation are as far as using these alternate events but there are other to choose from. Best of luck.
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SGT Victoria Belbusti
The attitude I get from most civilians at Fort Gordon is this incredulous attitude when asking one to do their job as if I’m asking for them to give me their paycheck.
My profile allows bike or walk. My old PA said “the swim is too hard for units to accommodate”. I usually walk, however, I had my ankle repaired in December and found that biking causes less pain. I’m most likely going to just push on through it and do the walk. I’m more upset that if someone has a permanent profile and needs the bike it sets them up for failure especially if it’s a new injury.
My profile allows bike or walk. My old PA said “the swim is too hard for units to accommodate”. I usually walk, however, I had my ankle repaired in December and found that biking causes less pain. I’m most likely going to just push on through it and do the walk. I’m more upset that if someone has a permanent profile and needs the bike it sets them up for failure especially if it’s a new injury.
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SGT (Join to see)
I totally agree with you, when it comes to the bike the gym workers seem to think it’s meant for only higher ranking people and those with permanent profile. Hope you don’t reinjury yourself doing the walk cause people couldn’t do there jobs
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If that's the policy of the gym (Implied task is to check on the gym policy), let me just say, sucks to suck. Short of buying one yourself, training on the regular bike is your best bet.
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