AFT Equipment | AFT Calculator

What is AFT equipment?

AFT equipment is the apparatus set required to administer and score the five events of the Army Fitness Test: the deadlift, hand-release push-up, Sprint-Drag-Carry, plank, and two-mile run. The core kit is a 60-pound hex bar, bumper plates, collars, a nylon sled with a pull strap, two 40-pound kettlebells, a metric measuring tape, stopwatches, and cones, all built to the Army's published specifications.

Issued test kit differs from general conditioning gear because every piece must match a published weight and design for the score to count. A gym's dumbbells, sandbags, or unweighed hex bars can build fitness, but only verified equipment belongs in a record test.

Units provide and maintain AFT equipment: the Defense Logistics Agency is the primary source of supply, units order sets and components through the Global Combat Support System-Army (GCSS-Army), and all purchases and replacements come at unit expense. The kit's definition leads directly to what the equipment does during a scored test.

What is AFT equipment used for during the Army Fitness Test?

AFT equipment is used for scored record testing, the controlling use case in which a Soldier's results become an official score on the DA Form 705-TEST. The same hex bars, sleds, and kettlebells can support conditioning, but in a record test they exist to standardize the load: every Soldier lifts a verified 60-pound bar with plates of known weight, drags a 90-pound sled on standard turf, and carries two 40-pound kettlebells.

Standardized loads keep scores comparable across Soldiers, units, and installations. The push-up, plank, and run depend on measured surfaces and accurate timing instead of loaded implements.

Which Army Fitness Test events does AFT equipment support?

The Army Fitness Test events that AFT equipment supports are listed below in fixed order:

3-Repetition Maximum Deadlift (MDL): apparatus-dependent, with a hex bar, bumper plates, and collars.
Hand-Release Push-Up (HRP): surface and timing only, on a flat surface with a stopwatch.
Sprint-Drag-Carry (SDC): apparatus-dependent, with a sled and pull strap, two 45-pound plates, two 40-pound kettlebells, and a marked lane.
Plank (PLK): surface and timing only, on level ground or a mat with a stopwatch.
Two-Mile Run (2MR): surface and timing only, on a measured course with stopwatches.

Is compliant AFT equipment required for official testing?

Yes, compliant AFT equipment is required for official record testing, because a record score is valid only when the equipment matches the Army's published specifications, according to "ATP 7-22.01 Holistic Health and Fitness Testing" by Headquarters, Department of the Army, March 2026. Commercial substitutes such as sandbags, dumbbells, weighted vests, or rucks do not qualify for a record test, although commercial hex bars, plates, and sleds qualify when they meet the design and weight specifications and the officer or noncommissioned officer in charge verifies them.

Personal gear has a narrow allowance: gloves that conform to AR 670-1 are allowed for any event, while weightlifting belts, back braces, chalk, wrist straps, elastic bandages, and kinesiology tape are not authorized, and Soldiers test in the prescribed Army Physical Fitness Uniform with athletic shoes. The equipment must support the loads of both standards tracks, the General standard for combat-enabling MOSs and the Combat standard for the 24 combat MOSs, whose deadlift lanes run from 120 to 340 pounds. The compliance requirement is met by the itemized kit described below.

What does an AFT equipment package include?

An AFT equipment package includes everything one test lane needs, sold as one bundled set with a single itemized manifest and price. Vendors list the package as a single-lane kit (a 60-pound hex bar, a 550-pound set of bumper plates, spring collars, a nylon sled with a pull strap, two 40-pound kettlebells, and a 30-meter tape) and quote multi-lane sets as multiples of that manifest. Lane count drives the quantity of every loaded item, so a unit sizing a purchase starts from the number of lanes it plans to run.

Which components are included in an AFT equipment loadout?

The components of a single-lane AFT equipment loadout are shown in the table below:

Item	Quantity	Weight or Spec	Event It Serves
Hex bar	1	60 lb unloaded; handles about 1.34 in thick and 25 in apart	3-Repetition Maximum Deadlift (MDL)
Bumper plates, 45 lb	8	45 lb each; 450 mm diameter	MDL and SDC sled load
Bumper plates, 35 lb	2	35 lb each	MDL
Bumper plates, 25 lb	2	25 lb each	MDL
Bumper plates, 15 lb	4	15 lb each	MDL
Bumper plates, 10 lb	4	10 lb each	MDL
Hex bar collars	2	About 0.5 lb per pair; fit 50 mm sleeves	MDL
Nylon sled with pull strap	1	22 x 19.5 in sled; 92 in strap	Sprint-Drag-Carry (SDC)
Sled load	2 of the 45-lb plates (4 on a modified surface)	90 lb drag load (180 lb on a modified surface)	SDC
Kettlebells	2	40 lb each, within 2 lb; about 11 in high	SDC
Metric measuring tape	1 (two lanes may share one)	At least 30 m	SDC lane and field layout
Stopwatches	2 or more	Digital; for the OIC or NCOIC, a back-up timer, and lane graders	HRP, SDC, PLK, 2MR
Cones	As needed	Lane and distance markers when the site is not permanently marked	Field layout
Medicine ball	1	10 lb	ACFT-era leftover, no longer AFT-scored
Pull-up bar or squat rack	1	Varies	ACFT-era leftover, no longer AFT-scored

Appendix E of "ATP 7-22.01 Holistic Health and Fitness Testing," published by Headquarters, Department of the Army in March 2026, sets the items and plate quantities above for each lane and lists the Army fitness test set under national stock number 6930-01-692-1671.

How do single-lane and multi-lane AFT equipment packages differ?

Single-lane and multi-lane AFT equipment packages differ by multiplication: every loaded item in the loadout table above repeats for each added lane, so a 16-lane set carries 16 hex bars, 16 sleds, and 32 kettlebells, and about 4,000 pounds of bars and plates for the deadlift alone. A few administration items stretch across lanes, since two lanes can share one measuring tape and a single start-line grader times two adjacent Sprint-Drag-Carry lanes, but each lane needs its own grader, and the test runs one grader for every four Soldiers.

A single-lane AFT equipment set sells for about $1,850 to $1,950, according to vendor listings checked in September 2026: the "ACFT Equipment Package" by Wright Equipment at $1,850 per lane (an ACFT-era package that still bundles a medicine ball and squat rack) and the "ARMY FITNESS TEST (AFT) EQUIPMENT KIT" by Rally Fitness at $1,950. Multi-lane sets are quoted as multiples of the single-lane manifest, and some vendors price them only on request.

Which equipment is required for each AFT event?

The equipment required for each AFT event is shown in the table below:

Event	Required Apparatus	Surface and Markings	Timing Device
3-Repetition Maximum Deadlift (MDL)	60-lb hex bar, bumper plates, two collars	Flat, stable lifting area beside the lanes	None; the grader counts three valid repetitions
Hand-Release Push-Up (HRP)	None (foam or rubber mats optional)	Flat lane space	Two stopwatches (OIC or NCOIC and back-up) running one 2-minute clock
Sprint-Drag-Carry (SDC)	Nylon sled and pull strap with a 90-lb load, two 40-lb kettlebells	25-m lane, 2.5 to 3.0 m wide, marked in 5-m increments	Start-line grader's stopwatch
Plank (PLK)	None (mats optional)	Level lane space	One stopwatch per lane
Two-Mile Run (2MR)	None	Measured course on a solid improved surface, no more than 3 percent uphill grade	2 to 17 stopwatches; optional outdoor timing clock

What equipment is used for the AFT deadlift?

The equipment used for the AFT deadlift is a 60-pound hex (trap) bar, bumper plates, and two spring collars on a flat, stable lifting surface. Headquarters, Department of the Army specifies a hex bar that weighs 60 pounds unloaded, with parallel handles about 1.34 inches thick and 25 inches apart and sleeves long enough for four 45-pound plates with a collar on each end, in "ATP 7-22.01 Holistic Health and Fitness Testing," March 2026.

Each lane holds a 550-pound set of 10-, 15-, 25-, 35-, and 45-pound bumper plates, which lets graders build every standard lane load from 120 pounds (the bar plus four 15-pound plates) to 340 pounds in 10-pound steps, with optional 5-pound plates for finer changes. The collars, about half a pound per pair, keep the plates from moving during the lift and stay out of the weight calculation.

What equipment is used for AFT hand-release push-ups?

AFT hand-release push-ups use no apparatus: the event needs only a flat surface and a timing device. Foam or rubber mats are optional, and when a mat is used, the Soldier's entire body must be on it except the arms during the extension. Each Soldier needs enough lane space to lie prone and extend both arms straight out to the sides in the T position. The OIC or NCOIC and a back-up timer run one two-minute clock for every lane at once, so lane graders count repetitions instead of timing them.

What equipment is used for AFT sprint-drag-carry testing?

The equipment used for AFT sprint-drag-carry testing is a nylon sled with a pull strap, two 45-pound plates for the sled, two 40-pound kettlebells, a marked 25-meter lane, and a stopwatch. Soldiers complete five 50-meter shuttles on the 25-meter lane, 250 meters in total, and the sled carries a 90-pound drag load on grass or turf, rising to 180 pounds on a modified surface such as wood, packed dirt, vinyl, or smooth concrete, as Headquarters, Department of the Army specifies in "ATP 7-22.01 Holistic Health and Fitness Testing," March 2026.

The sled measures 22 by 19.5 inches, holds up to four 45-pound plates, and has a 92-inch pull strap with a loop handle on each end, the upper-body pulling strap Soldiers grip for the backward drag. Cones or permanent markings set the start line and the 25-meter turn line, and the start-line grader times the event on a stopwatch.

What equipment is used for the AFT plank?

The AFT plank uses a level surface or an optional foam or rubber mat and one stopwatch per lane. The grader times the hold from the command "GO" and stays in a position to watch the straight head-to-heel line, the forearms, and the feet throughout. The grader's position matters because the event ends when the body sags, rises, or touches the ground with anything other than the feet, forearms, and hands. No other apparatus is required, which makes the plank one of the simplest AFT events to equip.

What equipment is used for AFT two-mile run administration?

AFT two-mile run administration uses a measured course or track, stopwatches, a lap count, and roster control. The course is generally flat with a solid, improved surface, no more than a 3 percent uphill grade, and the start and finish at the same altitude, and an indoor track can stand in when weather prevents outdoor testing. The OIC or NCOIC and each grader carry stopwatches (2 to 17 in all), and an outdoor timing clock helps Soldiers see the running time. On a track, graders record the completed laps for each Soldier, and numbers or vests issued during the rest before the run keep the roster and finish times matched.

Which AFT equipment standards apply?

The AFT equipment standards that apply are the specifications in ATP 7-22.01 Holistic Health and Fitness Testing, the Army publication that fixes the design and weight of every test implement and the layout of the test field. The kit must support the full load range of the test: deadlift lanes from 120 to 340 pounds in 10-pound steps, a 90-pound sled on standard surfaces or 180 pounds on modified ones, and two 40-pound kettlebells per lane. Tolerances matter too, with plates within 1 percent of their stated weight and kettlebells within 2 pounds.

When the Army updates its guidance, units re-check the inventory against the current specifications, weigh the hex bars and plates, and retire items the new standard no longer uses, as the June 2025 change did to the medicine ball.

Which current Army guidance governs AFT equipment requirements and updates?

The current Army guidance that governs AFT equipment requirements starts with Army Directive 2025-06 (Army Fitness Test), signed by Secretary of the Army Dan Driscoll in April 2025, which replaced the ACFT with the AFT on 1 June 2025 and dropped the Standing Power Throw, taking the 10-pound medicine ball off the required equipment. The AFT score tables took effect on that date, and the Combat standard for combat MOSs followed on 1 January 2026 for the active component and on 1 June 2026 for the Reserve and National Guard, according to "Army establishes new fitness test of record to strengthen readiness and lethality" by Army Public Affairs, April 2025.

The requirement reaches units through several channels: ATP 7-22.01 Holistic Health and Fitness Testing holds the equipment specifications, FM 7-22 Holistic Health and Fitness sets the H2F training doctrine, the DA Form 705-TEST scorecard records each result, Army directives and ALARACT messages announce changes, and unit H2F staff help commanders apply them. The current guidance draws a firm line between official test gear and training gear.

How does official AFT administration equipment differ from training equipment?

Official AFT administration equipment differs from training equipment because it is built to specification, collared, weighed, and inspected before a record test, while training equipment only has to build fitness. Test implements must match the published designs: a hex bar weighed before the test, plates within 1 percent of their stated weight, a standard nylon sled at the right load for the surface, and kettlebells within 2 pounds of 40 pounds.

Substitutes such as sandbags, dumbbells, weighted vests, and rucks approximate the tested loads for training but shift weight unpredictably and lack standard dimensions, which disqualifies them from a record test. The Army drew that line when it fielded its fitness test equipment: units can use equipment on hand for training but not for testing, according to "Answers to top questions about ACFT equipment fielding" by Ilene S. Zeldin, October 2019.

What does an AFT deadlift station require?

An AFT deadlift station requires a flat, stable lifting area beside the test lanes with room for up to 16 hex bars, one bar per lane, each with a full plate set and two collars. Each lane's plate inventory has to cover every load the Soldiers in that stack will select, and units are encouraged to buy 5-pound plates to make weight changes easier and safer.

Loading flow keeps the station moving: Soldiers line up in stacks of five to six behind the bar loaded to their chosen weight, graders change plates between Soldiers or move Soldiers to a lane already set at the next target weight, and the collars go back on before every lift. The grader stands where the Soldier's back, hips, knees, and lockout are all visible, records each attempt, and initials the heaviest successful weight on the DA Form 705-TEST.

What does an AFT sprint-drag-carry station and lane require?

An AFT sprint-drag-carry station and lane requires a 25-meter lane 2.5 to 3.0 meters wide, with about 4 meters of turn-around room for the sled and about 8 meters for staging equipment and running through the finish. The start line and the 25-meter turn line are marked with paint, tape, or cones and checked with a metric tape, and the lane width keeps the lateral shuffle and the sled drag from crossing into the adjacent lane.

The sled and pull strap are inspected for torn fabric or stitching before testing, and the two 40-pound kettlebells are staged at the start line, where the carry begins and ends. Footing decides the sled load: grass or artificial turf is the standard surface with a 90-pound sled, a modified surface takes 180 pounds, and unimproved dirt or gravel, rubberized tracks or gym floors, ice, and snow are restricted. The sprint-drag-carry lane sits inside a larger field layout.

How is an AFT field configured?

An AFT field is configured as a block of parallel lanes with the deadlift area alongside: a standard site covers about 37 by 40 to 50 meters for up to 16 lanes on flat, debris-free grass or artificial turf, with each 25-meter lane marked in 5-meter increments. The hand-release push-up, Sprint-Drag-Carry, and plank run in the same lanes in sequence, and the two-mile run starts and finishes at the test site.

The loaded events claim the most space: the deadlift needs an adjacent area for up to 16 loaded hex bars, and each Sprint-Drag-Carry lane needs turn-around and staging room at its ends. The push-up and plank need no apparatus but still need measured lane space and a stopwatch, and the run needs a measured course and timing. A storage shed or container for the kit, and lighting for testing in darkness or low visibility, complete a standard field.

Which surfaces support AFT testing?

The surfaces that support AFT testing are listed below:

Level Turf: grass or artificial turf, the standard surface for the field events and the Sprint-Drag-Carry with a 90-pound sled, as long as the site is flat and free of debris.
Track: an indoor or outdoor track suits the two-mile run, but a rubberized track is a restricted surface for the Sprint-Drag-Carry.
Gym Floor: a wood gym floor counts as a modified Sprint-Drag-Carry surface with a 180-pound sled, while rubberized gym floors are restricted.
Non-Slip Lifting Area: a flat, stable area beside the lanes gives the deadlift secure footing.

Ice, snow, and unimproved dirt or gravel rule a surface out for the Sprint-Drag-Carry.

Which field markings support AFT testing?

The field markings that support AFT testing are listed below:

25-Meter Start and Turn Lines: mark where each Sprint-Drag-Carry shuttle starts and turns, with lanes marked in 5-meter increments.
Cones: mark lanes and distances when the site is not permanently marked.
Lane Numbering: numbers each lane so Soldiers, graders, and stacks stay organized across events.
Measurement Verification: a metric tape of at least 30 meters (about 100 feet) confirms lane lengths and line placement.

Which timing tools support AFT testing?

The timing tools that support AFT testing are listed below:

Stopwatch per Station: one per lane for the plank, the start-line grader's stopwatch for two adjacent Sprint-Drag-Carry lanes, and one per grader for the run.
Event Timer: the OIC or NCOIC and a back-up timer run the single two-minute push-up clock and time the two-mile run, with an optional outdoor clock for the run.
Command Cadence: spoken commands ("GET READY," "GET SET," "GO") start each event, and the timer's calls ("ONE MINUTE REMAINING," "30 SECONDS REMAINING," and "STOP") end the push-up.

How do lane capacity and station capacity affect AFT testing throughput?

Lane capacity and station capacity set AFT testing throughput because each lane tests one Soldier at a time per event, with Soldiers rotating in groups of four from the push-up onward and one grader for every four Soldiers. Headquarters, Department of the Army sets the benchmark in "ATP 7-22.01 Holistic Health and Fitness Testing" (March 2026): a 16-lane site tests 64 Soldiers, four per lane, every 120 minutes or less, with five to six Soldiers per deadlift bar.

The deadlift and the Sprint-Drag-Carry become the bottlenecks, because plate changes and sled and kettlebell resets take time between Soldiers, and every group must finish inside the 120-minute window from the preparation drill to the start of the run. A throughput plan built on those figures then needs a field that can support it.

How can units confirm an AFT field is ready for testing?

Units can confirm an AFT field is ready for testing by running a pre-test check of every item and lane. The AFT field readiness steps are listed below:

Count and Weigh the Plates: confirm every deadlift lane holds a full plate set and that plates match their stated weight within 1 percent.
Count the Collars: put two working collars on every bar and keep spares on hand.
Inspect Sleds, Straps, and Bars: check sled fabric and strap stitching for tears and hex bar welds for stress cracks, and pull damaged items from the lanes.
Pair the Kettlebells: stage two serviceable 40-pound kettlebells at each Sprint-Drag-Carry start line.
Verify Course and Lane Measurements: re-measure the 25-meter lanes, the start and turn lines, and the run course.
Synchronize the Timers: test every stopwatch and assign the event timer and the back-up timer.
Inspect Surface and Footing: walk the field for debris, standing water, and hazards, and set the sled load to match the surface.
Control Scorecards and the Roster: issue DA Form 705-TEST scorecards, assign lanes, and match the roster to the Soldiers testing.

A field that passes each check becomes the base for the test-day arrangement.

How is AFT equipment arranged for efficient test-day administration?

AFT equipment is arranged for efficient test-day administration by staging the stations in the fixed event order, so Soldiers move from the deadlift to the push-up, Sprint-Drag-Carry, plank, and run without backtracking. Hex bars sit in the adjacent lifting area, loaded to the weights the first Soldiers in each stack selected, and the sleds, pull straps, and kettlebells sit at the Sprint-Drag-Carry start lines before the event begins.

From the push-up onward, Soldiers rotate through the lanes in groups of four, and each event starts on a common command once the previous event is complete. Between Soldiers, graders reset the load: plates change on the deadlift bars, the sled is dragged back to the start line with the strap untangled, and the kettlebells return to the start line.

Graders stand where they can see the full movement, with Sprint-Drag-Carry graders at the start line and the 25-meter line, and queues form in stacks behind each deadlift bar and each lane.

Where can units confirm current Army Fitness Test equipment requirements?

Units can confirm current Army Fitness Test equipment requirements in ATP 7-22.01 Holistic Health and Fitness Testing, whose Appendix E sets the specifications and ordering information, together with FM 7-22 Holistic Health and Fitness for the governing H2F doctrine. The DA Form 705-TEST scorecard shows what each event records, Army directives and ALARACT messages carry changes Army-wide, and unit H2F staff advise commanders on applying them. A unit should check those channels before every record test cycle and whenever a new Army directive on fitness testing is published.

What AFT equipment supports limited training?

The AFT equipment that supports training without the full kit is a set of field substitutes that approximate each tested load. The AFT event equipment substitutes are shown in the table below:

Event	Test-Standard Equipment	Field Substitute	How the Substitute Approximates the Tested Load
3-Repetition Maximum Deadlift (MDL)	60-lb hex bar with bumper plates	Sandbag, loaded dumbbells, or ammo cans	Trains the hip hinge and a heavy floor pull, without a fixed or verifiable load
Hand-Release Push-Up (HRP)	None (flat surface and stopwatch)	Marked floor space and a timer	Rehearses the body line, chest-to-ground depth, the T extension, and two-minute pacing
Sprint-Drag-Carry (SDC)	90-lb sled and pull strap, two 40-lb kettlebells	Tire, towel, or sandbag drag, with dumbbells or water cans for the carry	Reproduces the backward drag and the loaded carry at a load that varies with the surface
Plank (PLK)	None (level surface and stopwatch)	Exercise mat or firm floor	Supports timed static holds in the test position
Two-Mile Run (2MR)	Measured course and stopwatch	Treadmill runs or track intervals	Builds pacing and aerobic capacity without the test course

Which compact alternatives support AFT event preparation?

The compact alternatives that support AFT event preparation are listed below:

Sandbags: prepare the deadlift and loaded carries with an awkward, shifting load.
Weighted Vest: prepares the push-up and shuttle work with added body load.
Ruck: prepares the run and the Sprint-Drag-Carry carry with loaded movement.
Dumbbells: stand in for kettlebells in carry drills, with a different grip and balance.
Towel or Tire Drag: rehearses the Sprint-Drag-Carry sled drag and its backward pull.

Which facilities can support AFT equipment training and testing?

The facilities that can support AFT equipment training and testing are listed below:

Post Gyms: weight rooms with hex bars and plates and open floor for training lanes, with access set by installation hours, unit schedules, and reservations.
H2F Facilities: purpose-built Holistic Health and Fitness centers with strength and conditioning equipment and H2F staff, with access set by the unit's H2F program.
Indoor Turf Areas: level, consistent surfaces for Sprint-Drag-Carry lanes and other events in any weather, with access set by the facility calendar.
Outdoor Tracks: measured courses for the two-mile run with space nearby for other events, with access set by installation rules and the weather.
Unit PT Areas: unit fields that can host training and testing once they are level, debris-free, and measured, with use set by command approval.

How should units store and maintain AFT equipment?

The storage and maintenance practices for AFT equipment are listed below:

Storage Conditions and Racking: store the kit indoors or in a secure shed or container, dry and off the ground, with hex bars racked and plates organized by weight for quick counts and loading.
Inventory Control of Plates and Collars: keep a current count of plates by weight and collars by lane, and confirm after every use that each lane's set is complete.
Inspection Cadence: inspect everything before each record test and at regular intervals in training, checking hex bar welds for stress cracks, sled fabric and straps for tears or fraying, plates for core separation, and kettlebell handles for damage.
Wear Items That Fail First: sled straps and stitching, collars, and bar sleeves wear first, and spring collars lose grip over time.
Corrosion and Weather Exposure: steel bars and kettlebells rust when left wet, and rubber plates degrade in sun and freeze-thaw cycles, so outdoor storage needs cover and protection.
Replacement Triggers: replace any item that no longer meets its specification or shows structural damage, such as a cracked weld, a torn strap, or a separated plate.

Wear and replacement drive the cost of owning the kit over time, since every replacement comes at unit expense.

Which ownership factors should units consider when procuring AFT equipment?

The ownership factors units should consider when procuring AFT equipment are listed below:

Per-Lane Scaling: every lane needs its own bar, plates, sled, and kettlebells, so the buy scales with lane count.
Shipping and Delivery Weight: a single lane's bar, plates, and kettlebells weigh close to 700 pounds, and a 16-lane deadlift setup alone needs about 4,000 pounds of bars and plates.
Replacement Part Availability: units order replacement parts and components through GCSS-Army, with the Defense Logistics Agency as the primary source of supply.
Build Durability: bars, plates, sleds, and straps must survive repeated test loads, drops, and outdoor use without falling out of specification.
Storage and Transport Demands: the kit needs secure, dry storage and a way to move heavy items between storage and the test site.
Budget Cycle Alignment: because all purchases and replacements come at unit expense, the buy has to fit the unit's fiscal-year funding.

The Army's own fielding shows the scale of the purchase: its first fitness test equipment contract covered more than 36,000 lanes and 950,000 pieces weighing more than 15,000 tons, valued at $63.8 million, according to "Delivery of new Army Combat Fitness Test equipment begins" by Scott Wakefield, January 2020. A procurement decision is sound when it equips every lane with compliant gear for a valid Army Fitness Test.