How long and how often do you think standard PT should be?

2014-06-12T17:44:20-04:00

Over my career, I've been in units that did everything from PT 3-days per week for an hour a day, to 5-days a week for 1.5-2 hours per day. How long do you think the standard PT time should be, especially now that we are moving into a garrison/be prepared phase of life vs. the continual deployments of the last 12 years?

Personally, I would prefer unit PT time of two hours per day/5-days a week, with appropriate adjustments made to the rest of the duty day to avoid taking more time away from Soldiers, NOCs, AND Officers. This would allow for road marches and other longer training activities without coming in earlier to start the day, or staying later. I feel that too often the power point and email work takes precedent over PT, usually because of an upcoming briefing or meeting...but shouldn't PT take precedence over almost all other work activities for everyone, not just Soldiers and their immediate NCOs?

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 12 at 2014 6:10 PM

2014-06-12T18:10:20-04:00

I see PT as a maintenance program so there is no need to extend it beyond an hour 5 days a week. I do see as we move to a more garrison environment, some personnel will have more idle time on their hands. That's when you give the squad/section leader the flexibility to conduct additional PT at the end of the day (or wherever it fits in). But some MOSs will still have their hands full all day, whether in garrison, the field or on a deployment. Personally, as I have gotten older and feel I need a bit more PT to stay in shape (damn slow metabolism!!) I utilize 45min from my 90 minute lunch to compensate. PT is a matter of individual pride.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 3 at 2014 1:02 AM

2014-08-03T01:02:29-04:00

In my opinion, it seems as if everybody is hung up on this 1.5 hour, muscle failure PT/APRT. I feel that sixty minutes (10 minute warm up, 40 minutes of cardio/strength training, 10 minute cool down) is plenty of time to conduct unit PT.

MSG Wise, I respectfully disagree with you on the two hour per day/5 days a week regimen and this is why;

Say a unit conducts PT from 0600 - 0800 then personal hygiene/breakfast till 0930. After 0930 formation (if the unit conducts one) it's 0945 at the earliest. Then it usually takes 15 minutes to get spun up and work started. It's now 1000. Work till 1130 hours then lunch till 1300. Then work till 1700/1800 hours depending on what battalion wants and when they want it in addition to other unit missions. Plus the myriad of worthless meetings that never seem to accomplish anything. Then, some units don't start PT till 0630. That would push work formation back to 1000. Thus, I really don't see any benefit time wise to two hour PT sessions unless they started at 0500/0530.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 8 at 2014 2:56 AM

2014-08-08T02:56:41-04:00

I agree with two hrs and 5 days a week pt session. Some soldiers are still becoming overwight and doing the bare minimum.