Sit-ups

The Army also tests abdominal strength and endurance with sit-ups. To perform a correct sit-up, have a training partner or fellow recruit hold your ankles in place. Begin with your back flat on the ground and your hands held clasped behind your head. Keeping your heels on the ground, sit up until your neck is further forward than the base of your spine. Lower your torso, and repeat. 82 sit-ups will get you a perfect score, and you need 29 sit-ups to earn the minimum 60 points.

The sit-ups tend to be the easiest portion of the physical fitness test for most people, but don’t get lazy in your training. You can quickly build up your abdominal endurance, but you can also quickly lose it.

A Word on Age and Scoring

The Army Physical Fitness Standards actually include eight different age-specific scoring guidelines for men. The standards discussed in this article are the highest - ages 27-31. However, younger recruits still need to perform nearly as well, and minimum scores are rarely sufficient for advancement. Those who choose to make the Army a long-term career will eventually be judged by the 27-31 standards, as well.