Fitness Requirements (ACFT)

The Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT) not only helps maintain the physical and mental well-being of Soldiers to ensure readiness, but it also plays a large role in the Army’s fitness culture.

A male Soldier in an Army tee shirt pushing a tractor tire in a field as part of an exercise

Your fitness will officially be tested.

The ACFT starts at Basic Training for Soldiers and initial training for Officers

Active-duty scores are recorded twice a year

Army Reserve and Army National Guard scores are recorded once a year

Build strength and character in six events.

Each event in the ACFT is designed to assess and improve your physical strength, mental toughness, coordination, and flexibility, while helping to prevent injuries.

3 Repetition Maximum Deadlift (MDL)

Lift the maximum weight possible three times using a 60-pound hex bar and plates.

Standing Power Throw (SPT)

Throw a 10-pound medicine ball backward and overhead as far as possible.

Hand-Release Push-Up (HRP)

Complete as many hand-release push-ups as possible in two minutes, using the proper technique.

Sprint-Drag-Carry (SDC)

Do five 50-meter shuttles (sprint, drag, lateral, carry, sprint) as fast as possible using two 40-pound kettlebells, and a 90-pound sled.

Plank (PLK)

Maintain a proper plank position for as long as possible.

Two-Mile Run (2MR)

Run two miles on a generally flat outdoor course while being timed. left-carat-circle-v2 right-carat-circle-v2

The ACFT scoring scale

The ACFT is scored using different requirements based on gender and age. Download the scoring scale to see what’s expected for each event.

A male Soldier in an Army tee shirt performing a pull up bar pull over in a gym

Points and scoring

Training tips

Building your fitness will help you feel prepared and confident in meeting the Army’s fitness standards. Here are some tips to ensure you’re physically ready for any challenge:

Perception VS Reality

"I’m not in good enough shape." Everyone comes to Basic Training at different levels. The Army prepares them to become Soldiers.

Emphasizing total wellness

The Army’s Holistic Health and Fitness (H2F) System focuses on the total health and wellness of every Soldier by combining physical fitness with proper sleep, nutrition, and spiritual health.

Prevention and recovery

Athletic and training facilities are not only available to help you stay physically fit and prepared, but also to help prevent injury and improve rehabilitation.

Mental and spiritual health

With counseling, spiritual services, and retreats, there are a variety of opportunities available to ensure you feel good both mentally and spiritually.

Activities to stay fit

You’ll have access to Army recreational sports leagues, as well as trails, parks, pools, courts, and other facilities on base to stay active.

Sleep and nutrition

The Army makes proper sleep and nutrition a priority to ensure you feel energized every day.

Fitness on the job

From infantry to medical, you’ll need to maintain your mental health and physical fitness regardless of your career field.

PUSH BEYOND YOUR LIMITS. PUSH BEYOND YOUR LIMITS.

Fitness is part of Army life.

Physical fitness is not only necessary for a career in the Army, but it also becomes part of the Army lifestyle.

Unit Physical Training (PT)

Unit Physical Training, or Unit PT, is part of the daily Army experience and ensures all Soldiers are ready to perform their jobs. It also helps Soldiers maintain a minimum fitness level, while building relationships with team members.

Fitness centers

Most centers provide athletic and training facilities that include exercise and weight rooms, and various sports-related courts.

Recreational sports leagues

The Army has several sports leagues to participate in, from football, basketball, and golf, to bowling, fishing, and more.

Outdoor activities on base

In addition to running and biking, some bases have parks, pools, lakes, hiking trails, and other activities you can enjoy to maintain your health and wellbeing.

Fitness in Basic Training

As an enlisted Soldier, you’ll attend Basic Training where you’ll be expected to complete drills, navigate obstacle courses, and learn various maneuvering techniques.

PUSH BEYOND YOUR LIMITS. PUSH BEYOND YOUR LIMITS.

Fitness is part of Army life.

Physical fitness is not only necessary for a career in the Army, but it also becomes part of the Army lifestyle.

Unit Physical Training (PT)

Unit Physical Training, or Unit PT, is part of the daily Army experience and ensures all Soldiers are ready to perform their jobs. It also helps Soldiers maintain a minimum fitness level, while building relationships with team members.

Fitness centers

Most centers provide athletic and training facilities that include exercise and weight rooms, and various sports-related courts.

Recreational sports leagues

The Army has several sports leagues to participate in, from football, basketball, and golf, to bowling, fishing, and more.

Outdoor activities on base

In addition to running and biking, some bases have parks, pools, lakes, hiking trails, and other activities you can enjoy to maintain your health and wellbeing.

Fitness in Basic Training

As an enlisted Soldier, you’ll attend Basic Training where you’ll be expected to complete drills, navigate obstacle courses, and learn various maneuvering techniques.

PUSH BEYOND YOUR LIMITS. PUSH BEYOND YOUR LIMITS.

Fitness is part of Army life.

Physical fitness is not only necessary for a career in the Army, but it also becomes part of the Army lifestyle.

Unit Physical Training (PT)

Unit Physical Training, or Unit PT, is part of the daily Army experience and ensures all Soldiers are ready to perform their jobs. It also helps Soldiers maintain a minimum fitness level, while building relationships with team members.

Fitness centers

Most centers provide athletic and training facilities that include exercise and weight rooms, and various sports-related courts.

Recreational sports leagues

The Army has several sports leagues to participate in, from football, basketball, and golf, to bowling, fishing, and more.

Outdoor activities on base

In addition to running and biking, some bases have parks, pools, lakes, hiking trails, and other activities you can enjoy to maintain your health and wellbeing.

Fitness in Basic Training

As an enlisted Soldier, you’ll attend Basic Training where you’ll be expected to complete drills, navigate obstacle courses, and learn various maneuvering techniques.

PUSH BEYOND YOUR LIMITS. PUSH BEYOND YOUR LIMITS.

Fitness is part of Army life.

Physical fitness is not only necessary for a career in the Army, but it also becomes part of the Army lifestyle.

Unit Physical Training (PT)

Unit Physical Training, or Unit PT, is part of the daily Army experience and ensures all Soldiers are ready to perform their jobs. It also helps Soldiers maintain a minimum fitness level, while building relationships with team members.

Fitness centers

Most centers provide athletic and training facilities that include exercise and weight rooms, and various sports-related courts.

Recreational sports leagues

The Army has several sports leagues to participate in, from football, basketball, and golf, to bowling, fishing, and more.

Outdoor activities on base

In addition to running and biking, some bases have parks, pools, lakes, hiking trails, and other activities you can enjoy to maintain your health and wellbeing.

Fitness in Basic Training

As an enlisted Soldier, you’ll attend Basic Training where you’ll be expected to complete drills, navigate obstacle courses, and learn various maneuvering techniques.

TAKE THE FIRST STEP.

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Common questions about Army fitness requirements.

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What is a good score on the ACFT?

A minimum passing score for each ACFT event is 60 points, for a total score of 360 for all six events. The required minimum score is the same for all Soldiers, regardless of career field.

What if I can’t complete the ACFT due to a medical condition?

After you join, if a permanent medical condition prevents you from completing the ACFT, there are alternate events you can do for your assessment, like walking or swimming instead of the two-mile run. For temporary medical conditions, you can use alternate events to train. But you won’t take the scored ACFT until you’re medically cleared.

What happens if I don’t pass the ACFT?

If you don’t pass a recorded-score ACFT, the Army will provide you with support and training to improve your score, and you’ll have a chance to retake the ACFT. If you don’t pass two consecutive recorded-score ACFTs, you may be involuntarily separated from the Army.

Do commissioned Officers take the ACFT?

Yes, if you join the Army on a path to commission as an Officer, you will take the ACFT as a cadet, and every year after.