I recently implemented a new structure to my section’s PT schedule that has received very positive feedback from my soldiers that I would like to share with other leaders on here.

I lead a maintenance section and not all of us are PT studs. We’re not well rounded and soldier’s weaknesses have been hard to improve with the traditional M-W-F run days and T-Th Muscle failure days that are common in the army.

If we go on runs, the studs barely get a workout and the weak runners are falling out and become unmotivated or seek profiles to avoid it.

Soldiers that don’t have a good base for strength will never improve their deadlift/SPT/push-ups by doing body weight exercises 2 times a week.

A plan that I’ve developed with fitness conscious NCOs is an improvement oriented PT plan that consists of breakout groups to help soldiers focus on what they need to improve.

Based on the lowest scores from individual’s last ACFT, they will PT with the group they need to improve the most. There’s a run group, a strength group, and an explosive/sprint group.

Monday, Wednesday, and Friday soldiers will PT with their group to help strengthen whatever their week at. Tuesday is Platoon HIIT and Thursday is ruck/obstacle course

This has made big improvement on our ACFT scores and soldiers across the board are more motivated for PT. Soldiers who are weak at running have enjoyed running with soldiers of similar ability with workouts focused on building a better running base. The focus is running long distances at your own pace without walking. This allows them to run as slow as they need to and prove to themselves that they can in fact do a 4 mile run without quitting. They are motivated to get better instead of being yelled at for falling out. Most of the time people who fall out of runs fall out because they are running to fast for their ability. Once they hit their limit, they have mentally quit and no longer push to improve. Allowing them to run at their own pace allows them to go 40+ minutes which most of them have never done before. Soldiers I have talked to who hate running and have always fallen out in the past are enjoying this new system and say they are actually looking forward to the runs now.

Solders who struggle with strength rarely have ever had a structured lifting regiment. These groups allow them to learn proper lifting technique and strength building exercises and sticking to a routine. You can not improve deadlifts by only deadlifting maybe once a week. Doing only push-ups, you will plateau without incorporating other exercises like bench press, cable flies, or tricep work. Following a dedicated lifting plan at a minimum of 3 days a week has made huge improvements for soldiers who struggle at Deadlift, overhead yeet, or push-ups

All groups incorporate core exercises and planks before the cooldown to improve plank scores across the board.

TLDR: My section is much more motivated for PT and our scores have improved tremendously. Working out in smaller groups of soldiers with the same weaknesses allows them the time to train what they need to improve and builds morale by working with people who have similar goals.