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CHECK OUT THE ARMY PT DRILLS Photo of Soldiers doing PT

Interested in learning the physical training drills the Army uses? Check out the interactive Physical Training (PT) Guide and then download the PDF version for your use.

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Photo of Soldier climbing wall Strength and Endurance
WHAT IT TAKES FOR A SOLDIER TO KEEP GOING

Muscular Strength and Endurance means how hard a muscle or muscle group can work in a single effort, and the ability of a muscle or muscle group to perform repeated movements for extended periods of time.

On today's battlefield, in addition to CR fitness, Soldiers need a high level of muscular endurance and strength. Although muscular endurance and strength are separate fitness components, they are closely related. Progressively working against resistance will produce gains in both of these areas. Before starting a resistance-training program, you should choose exercises that work several muscle groups and try to avoid those that isolate single muscle groups. This will help train a greater number of muscles in a given time, help balance the body's development, and avoid injury. For example, weightlifting is one way to train muscle groups but injuries will occur when improper lifting techniques are combined with lifting too much weight. You should understand how to do each lift correctly before starting a strength training program.

For further strengthening techniques please see the calisthenics section of the Army PT Guide.

DID YOU KNOW?

Strength training falls under three different areas:

Weight training: Weight and resistance training are popular methods of strength training, which use gravity and weights or hydraulic resistance to oppose muscle contraction.

Resistance training: A form of strength training in which each effort is performed against a specific opposing force generated by resistance from pushing, bending, squeezing or stretching. Exercises are isotonic if a body part is moving against the force.

Isometric training: Isometric exercise, or "isometrics," is a type of strength training in which the joint angle and muscle length do not change during contraction. Isometric exercises means a body part is holding still against the force.

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