Law Enforcement PFT

by Stew Smith

After researching and writing about physical fitness tests for military and law enforcement agencies over the past ten years, I began to recognize that the 1.5 mile run, pushup test, and sit-ups test are nearly universally used as a basis for testing fitness levels. The groups who use this "Common PFT" as a minimum standard for physical testing are the Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, and more than 50% of federal, state, and local police agencies.

In military units, they also have alternate testing exercises (such as bike or swim) if injury prevents a member from running, and both military and law enforcement units alter the amount of time for pushups and sit-ups. Some have one minute tests and others have two minute tests for the strength-testing portion. The Coast Guard and some police departments get creative and substitute pushups with a bench press endurance test, but more than half of the United States Military and law enforcement Agencies use what I call the "Common PFT."

Preparing for this PFT is not that difficult. In fact, most service members can train for a few weeks and score passing grades on the test as the minimum standards are not that difficult. Achieving the minimum standards on anything should not be the peak of our endeavors no matter what we do personally, but there are many jobs in the military and law enforcement that do not require rigorous physical activity. However, if your job puts you in harm's way, you should reconsider your fitness level. Whether you are saving yourself, another victim, or your partner, having the strength, endurance, and flexibility can make a difference between life and death. Yes, fitness is that important.

While the regular military and law enforcement agencies use the Common PFT as a standard for fitness, the specialized groups in these units -- like SWAT teams, firefighters, Navy SEAL, Air Force PJs, and Coast Guard Rescue Swimmers -- all have more rigorous standards and testing exercises. The above units and other special ops groups require differing levels of fitness due to the extreme conditions and missions they must be prepared for. There are many articles and workout programs that can be found on the advanced special operations groups above at my Military.com Article Archive and the Fitness Store.

The good news about the "Common PFT" is that I have written plenty of articles written over the past few years to assist with performing better on the test.  Scoring better on physical fitness tests can affect promotion rate, pay-grade, energy levels (due to better overall health), as well as your ability to protect and defend yourself and others in an emergency (natural or man-made).

Here are several articles to assist you with preparing a plan for the next PFT cycle:

- Pushups and Sit-ups
- The Push-Up Push Workout
- The Proper Technique for Curl Ups
- Take 2:00 Off Your PFT Mile
- Running
- Physical Fitness Test Anxiety
- Get Ready for the Tape Test
- One Month From PFT - Help!

Good luck with your training

Email Stew Smith CSCS at stew@stewsmith.com should you have any questions about Military or Law Enforcement Fitness Training.  His writings help prepare the Heroes of Tomorrow for today's military, law enforcement and fire fighting professions.

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