U.S. Army’s New Fitness Test: Tougher Standards for 2025—Can You Keep Up?

The U.S. Army is flexing its muscles with a new fitness test that’s tougher than a drill sergeant’s stare. Starting June 1, 2025, the Army Fitness Test (AFT) replaces the Army Combat Fitness Test, demanding soldiers prove they’re ready for the rigors of modern warfare. This isn’t just about biceps and bravado—it’s a holistic gauntlet designed to ensure peak physical readiness.

Based on 18 months of data and thousands of test runs, the AFT ramps up scoring standards, especially for combat roles, where soldiers face the highest bar. Active-duty troops must conquer it twice a year, while Reservists and National Guard members get one shot annually. Soldiers have until January 1, 2026, to meet the new benchmarks without repercussions.

The AFT’s five events are no walk in the park. First, the three-repetition maximum deadlift challenges soldiers to hoist a 60-pound hex bar with as much weight as they can muster, testing raw strength and proper form. Mess up the technique, and you’re risking your back, warns orthopedic surgeon Dr. Hooman Melamed.

Next, hand-release push-ups demand as many reps as possible in two minutes, pushing upper body endurance to the limit. Drop to the ground, lift your hands, and power back up—sounds simple, but it’s a shoulder-shredder if you’re not ready. The sprint-drag-carry is a brutal 50-meter shuttle gauntlet: sprint, drag a 90-pound sled, shuffle laterally, carry 40-pound kettlebells, and sprint again. It’s a test of explosive power and cardio that could leave the unprepared limping.

The plank event demands holding a perfect position for as long as possible, exposing any weaknesses in your core or shoulders. Finally, the two-mile run tests aerobic stamina, with time constraints that separate the fit from the floundering. Notably, the standing power throw was dropped for being more about technique than true fitness.

Sgt. Maj. Christopher Mullinax, a senior Army leader, says the AFT emphasizes readiness over event-specific training, ensuring soldiers are battle-ready. For civilians, passing this test is possible but not easy. Dr. Jason Perry, a sports medicine expert, estimates 30-50% of active adults could pass with moderate training, while Melamed is less optimistic, pegging it at under 5%. Either way, it’s a wake-up call: train smart, or stay on the couch.