Combat fitness is a military-inspired exercise program that focuses on strength and aerobic training with minimal equipment and no set location. It revolves around four principles: “train like an athlete,” “strive for a harder core,” “take pride in exercise technique,” and “allow no weak spots.” The program was developed by the US Marines and has since been adopted by other military programs and the private sector. The Combat Fitness Test measures a soldier’s stamina, strength, agility, and speed.
Combat fitness is a form of exercise that stems from military training programs, especially United States Marines. The program focuses on both aerobic and strength training with minimal specialized equipment and no need for a set exercise location. Combat fitness revolves around four basic principles: “train like an athlete,” “strive for a harder core,” “take pride in exercise technique,” and “allow no weak spots.” In the Marines, combat conditioning is tested using a Combat Fitness Test.
In 2003, after seeing a significant increase in the number of non-combat injuries, the Marines decided to update their training methods, using the latest exercise science studies and techniques. It was soon copied by other military programs around the world and in the private sector. Combat conditioning quickly became a popular method of achieving complete conditioning.
The four principles of combat conditioning focus on making combat training effective, engaging, and simple. The first principle, “train like an athlete,” focuses on strength exercises that build strength and build resistance to impact to prevent injury. The second principle, “strive for a harder core,” removes excess weight from the middle and increases stamina. “Take pride in exercise technique” is the third principle, and it involves focusing on exercises that improve posture and body alignment to prevent injury and maximize training effectiveness. The final principle, “allow no weak point,” emphasizes balanced conditioning in strength, stamina, speed, and agility.
Combat conditioning quickly grew in popularity due to its comparative effectiveness against older conditioning techniques. After spreading across the globe to elite military programs, combat fitness exploded in the private sector. Numerous fitness gurus, military veterans, and martial arts instructors have developed their own brand of combat conditioning. Despite numerous philosophical differences, these various versions of combat fitness regimens share a focus on the four principles of combat conditioning and emphasize the de-importance of specialized training equipment.
Despite all the exercise science behind combat fitness, Marines would not be satisfied with conditioning if it didn’t produce quantitative results. To do this, the Combat Fitness Test was developed. The Combat Fitness Test has three events that measure a soldier’s stamina, strength, agility, and speed. It begins with an 880-yard “Move To Contact” run in military boots and pants, followed by a two-minute drill that awards points for the number of times a 30-pound weight can be lifted overhead. The final event of the Combat Fitness Test is “Movement Under Fire,” which simulates various combat conditions.
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