ANSBACH, Germany -- Pushups, sit-ups and a two-mile run comprise the Army Physical Fitness Test. Through this test of strength and endurance, Soldiers can gain promotion points and earn the Army Physical Fitness Badge.
U.S. Army Garrison Ansbach spouses got to test their mettle through the test, taking the test initially in January, training for six weeks and then retaking the test Feb. 28. Carly Davis, a trainer at Katterbach Fitness Center, ran the program.
"I'm an endurance trainer," she said. "I work more with sports and achieving those higher goals, so this was a way to bring a different program to the gym, because a lot of them are about weight loss and getting back in [shape,] and this was more for the more fit ladies."
The training regimen included more than simple exercises; Davis incorporated tug-of-war, relays with water bottles and an "Amazing Race" style event at Katterbach Kaserne as part of the twice-weekly meetings.
The participants had various reasons for taking part in the program.
"I hate running, and I wanted to get better at it and hopefully end up enjoying running," said Alisha Ross, an Army spouse participating in the program. "I wanted to test myself and see where I stood PT-wise, get better and see the difference."
"Just to prove Army wives could do it," said Mandy Greer, another Army spouse participating in the program. "I also wanted to see how close I could get to my husband's score."
Greer proved a strong competitor from the start, gaining a score of 289 out of a possible 300 during her initial test. She earned perfect scores in each event of the ultimate test. Her training outside the program consists of running five to six miles a day, performing lifts and working out with kettle bells.
"My husband is very fit, so he always passes," said Greer. "That was a lot of motivation, to prove to him that I could do it and do well."
Several of the Soldiers showed up during the final test to support their wives.
"It's really neat to see spouses on the other side of the spectrum," said Justin Ross, husband of Alisha. "I like to see the dedication they put in. It shows that it pays off; it's neat to see that."
"It gives the spouses a little representation of what their Soldiers deal with on a daily basis," said Warrant Officer Notoane Russell, whose wife Andrea Russell participated. "It gave her a little respect on why I get up at 5:30 in the morning to work out and what I have to deal with and the stresses of doing the PT test."
"A lot of the [Soldiers] get up really early in the morning when they live off post to go to PT, and a lot of the women say, 'What are you doing? Why are you leaving an hour before work?'" said Davis.
According to Warrant Officer Russell, having his wife take part in the program motivated him as well.
"If my wife is out here doing great fitness, it makes me get motivated and try to up the ante."
The spouses were overall very positive about the event.
"Carly really makes you want to try hard," said April Davenport. "She motivates you really well. … I plan on doing it again. She's doing another one in April or in May. She's doing another six-week one, and I'm doing it again. I've actually been trying another couple of people to try it out."
"Carly was a really good instructor," said Vicki Anderson, another participant. "She pushed us but encouraged us all at one time. She was amazing."
Anderson improved over the course of the program.
"I almost took two minutes off my run," she said. "Pushups, I couldn't do many. I'm doing better, so I'm happy."
Anderson recommends others take part in the challenge as well:
"Even if they didn't think they were the best, I would recommend they try it."
The next session of the Spouse PT challenge begins April 2 and runs through the middle of May. To find out more, call Katterbach Fitness Center at 09802-83-2771 or 467-2771.
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