With their elbows tucked close to their bodies, sweat and pain evident on their faces, Paratroopers worked out in unison as they perfected the precise movements of the pushup.
The Army's Master Fitness Training Course mobile training team educated Paratroopers on the proper way to conduct the Army's Physical Readiness Training program during a class held on Fort Bragg, N.C.
So what is PRT? It's the Army's physical fitness program that helps Paratroopers meet the physical demands of combat in any duty position, accomplish the mission, and continue to fight and win.
Staff Sgt. Joshua M. Trevino, a Paratrooper assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, graduated from the most recent training course.
"I really didn't embrace PRT in the beginning," said Trevino. "So coming here and learning why we do certain exercises has changed my outlook completely."
During the four weeks of instruction, Trevino and other students, learned how to execute the PRT exercises with precision and how to train others to lead PRT. In addition, the students learned how to recommend unit-level fitness programs to commanders.
"We are here to educate non-commissioned officers and commissioned officers on Field Manual 7-22," said Capt. Amy C. Tang, Master Fitness Course Team lead, at the Army Physical Fitness School at Fort Jackson, South Carolina. "They need to know exactly what the manual is talking about and how to explain the material to their Soldiers," she continued.
Trevino said having the instructors spend a significant amount of time answering questions and showing them the specifics of certain exercises changed his mind about PRT.
"We have to answer all the [trainees] questions," Tang said. "We have to inform them why the Army chose the PRT system and how the exercises are tied to Soldier readiness," she continued.
The students received training on physiology, nutrition and exercise, and morning drills to master the exercises themselves.
"We try to give them a crash course on physiology," Tang said. One of the most important things we like to focus on is precision.
"Relying on a manual alone would make it difficult for units to properly perform the exercises, and that's why we need Master Fitness Trainers," said Trevino.
Trevino says his previous exploration of FM 7-22 was informal. For example, he'd been using rear lunges to stretch his calves, because like a lot of Soldiers, he thought that was the point of the exercise.
The course taught him the correct way to stretch his hip flexors, extending his rear leg as far back as possible.
Trevino, along with his classmates, went through a rigorous selection process to be eligible to attend the Master Fitness Trainer Course.
"They were selected for their intelligence, leadership skills, and their ability to meet Army height and weight standards. They must also pass the Army Physical Fitness Test with 240 points or higher by scoring a minimum of 80 points in each event," said Tang
The MFTC, provides a balanced training program based on the concepts of physical fitness and readiness to propel the Army to a more agile and ready force. This program, facilitated by MFTs, is expected to generate Paratroopers physical readiness by reducing injury rates and standardizing unit training in accordance with Army training doctrine.
The program also allows easier integration of new Paratroopers into operational units.
"Another goal is to educate Paratroopers on so-called extreme commercial exercise programs and get them excited toward the Army's new way, codified in Army Field Manual 7-22," Tang said.
Tang also said that any high-intensity training, done wrong, can cause problems ranging from torn ligaments to other complications due to poor execution and lack of knowledge.
"PRT's strength-training circuits and the course's collective training make for safe but intense workouts," Trevino said.
Tang says the instructors are there to educate leaders and Soldiers on the Army program."
"I can't wait to go back to my unit and teach Paratroopers the proper way to conduct PRT and help them believe," said Trevino.
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