All soldiers in the Active Army, Army National Guard, and Army Reserve must take the Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT) regardless of age. The APFT is a three-event physical performance test used to assess muscular endurance and cardiorespiratory (CR) fitness. It is a simple way to measure a soldier's ability to effectively move his body by using his major muscle groups and CR system. Performance on the APFT is strongly linked to the soldier's fitness level and his ability to do fitness-related tasks.

Testing consists of push-ups, sit-ups, and the two-mile run. All personnel are tested twice a year, using one of two categories of scoring: Initial Entry Training or Army Standard. In order to pass basic training, recruits are judged by the Initial Entry Training standard and must exceed a score of 50 on each of the tests using a series of scoring tables. Afterward, personnel are judged by the Army Standard, which requires that they exceed a score of 60 on each of the tests using the same scoring tables.

Although the Army uses pages and pages to describe each of the tests, the requirements are simple.

For the push-up test, personnel must perform as many push-ups as possible in under 2 minutes. A proper push-up requires that the upper arms be parallel to the ground or better when the body is lowered. Resting is only allowed with a front-leaning position, another way of saying "with arms extended and most of the body weight supported by the arms, not by the legs". Any other resting position terminates the count.

The sit-up test also measures the number of repetitions done in under 2 minutes. Sit-ups are done with the help of another soldier who holds down the feet. Knees should be bent at a 90-degree angle and fingers must be interlocked behind the head. Arms must not be used on the floor to help raise the body. Rest is permitted in the up position only.

The two-mile run is performed on a flat course or an oval track. Since the test measures the amount of time it takes a soldier to complete the two-mile course, walking is allowed but is strongly discouraged.