Remedial PT: A New Approach

If you have ever been involved as a remedial PT instructor or participant, you may have a few stories of success and achievement. However, you are more than likely to have witnessed perennial fitness mission failures and frustration with PT programming from all levels. Recently, I have witnessed a new approach to Remedial PT Training. Actually, from my observations, Remedial PT at the U.S. Naval Academy has lost much of its negative stigma. The first thing they did was change the name. No one wants to join a "remedial work out."

For those who fail the physical fitness test performed twice a year in the military, remedial training is something you do not want to do, but now have to. Remedial PT has always been a sort of PT prison no matter where you go in the military. Working out in a way that doesn't fit your schedule and in a method that may be effective but not your style, and continuing to do so until you have a passing grade on the fitness test, can takes months depending upon your current fitness level. The combination of a good coach and willing participants is critical to the mission success of these programs. The two types can be difficult to find.

The Problem: Many people strive for the minimum standards on fitness tests. A borderline PASS / FAIL should not be anyone's goal. If you have a bad day (like we all do), you could easily be on the failing end of that fitness test. Now, after failing, you get to work out with someone else in charge of you passing the next fitness test. Now you are on their time. The 0500 wake up for Remedial PT sessions have begun. The problem is that NO ONE wants to be there.

Here are some of the problems with this scenario:

1 – Failure to understand the physical mission: In the military, you have a likelihood of being placed in harm's way and your fitness level may be the different between life and death for you, your teammates, or a victim you are trying to save. Yes – fitness means that much in the military.
2 – Not knowing how to train properly: Most people who fail the fitness test simply do not know how to train effectively. More times than not, education is the answer. With the right coaching most people will surpass the minimum standards easily and be on the road to maxing any fitness test.
3 – Not having a strategy: One thing you can learn is HOW to take a fitness test. Some simple hand placements for pushups, pacing drills for running, and situps can fix a PFT failure in 24 hours.

The Solution: Instead of being reactive and placing a negative stigma on exercise, how about reversing course like the Naval Academy has done. The Naval Academy Physical Education Department has created a remedial program, but calls it the Brigade Training Team (BTT). If you fail the PFT, you have to be there – mandatory. However, it is open to everyone. The BTT meets at 0545 before the work day, Monday through Friday, and creates workouts that build strength and endurance for the PT test as well as overall health and wellness. Techniques and strategies are also taught to better scores. Sports psychologists, physiologists of the Human Performance Department, and guest PTers attend regularly to assist the Navy SEAL Senior Chief who created the program. It is now common to have military members who have not failed the PFT join in on the workouts. They become workout partners with those that have failed previously, and are good role models of fitness. This is a proactive PT program that works!

Goals of the BTT: Strive for more intermediate / advanced level of scoring on the fitness test. This goal will help you get over the hump and never have an issue with failing the fitness test again – even on a bad day. With some consistency, you can be that group of military members that can pass the PFT on any given day with minute's notice. I have always said that "You should be able to pass your fitness test the same way you pass a drug test." A surprise random PFT at zero dark thirty in the morning – no problem! Let's Roll! It really does become a lifestyle change and a huge stress reliever to an already stressful workload. Making fitness a stress reliever, not a stress increaser, should be the goal of any remedial program.

A True Test to see if Your Remedial Programming is Effective: If you have a solid remedial program, you may actually get some participants who are joining you for extra training to pass the biannual fitness test in the near future. A good program can actually be proactive versus reactive. Most people who fail fitness tests do not know how to take fitness tests or do not know how to work out effectively to get to a passing level on running or calisthenics events. Teaching the techniques of running, pacing yourself, hand placement for pushups, and other exercise details, as well as strength, stamina, and endurance training has to be front and center of any good program. Taking people who fail fitness tests and getting them smarter, more fit, and without injury is a delicate balance that the U.S. Naval Academy Physical Education / Human Performance Departments have figured out. Bravo Zulu.

@ SMSgt Minister Gerald A. Thomas Capt Christopher MuellerCPT (Join to see)COL Mikel J. BurroughsSgt Joe LaBrancheSSgt (Join to see)Capt Seid WaddellSrA Christopher Wright LTC Stephen F.PO2 Ed C. PO2 Mark Saffell MSG Tom EarleyPVT James Strait Alan K. PO1 William "Chip" NagelSGT John " Mac " McConnellSSG Leo Bell TSgt Melissa Post