(NewsNation) — The Air Force has announced updates to its Physical Fitness Assessment and introduced a new fitness program to support the recently announced “Culture of Fitness” initiative.
The new Physical Fitness Assessment will evaluate active duty, Guard and Reserve members in four categories: cardiorespiratory fitness, waist-to-height ratio, muscle strength and muscle core endurance. A two-mile run was also introduced.
Beginning Jan. 1, the Air Force will start transitioning to the new assessment, and scored testing will officially begin Sept. 1, 2026. The in-between period will give airmen time to adjust to the new program and standards. The new assessment will be required once every every six months.
The Air Force has also introduced “The Warfighter’s Fitness Playbook” to help airmen adapt to the new standards.
“These fitness changes are about having a healthy, ready force prepared to meet today’s mission and the demands of the future fight,” said U.S. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Allvin.
‘Culture of Fitness’ initiative announced Sept. 8
The new assessment coincides with the recently announced “Culture of Fitness initiative,” which aims to foster a culture of physical excellence and “transform the way Airmen and Guardians engage with physical fitness and readiness,” according to the release.
“This initiative will ensure our Air Force and Space Force remain capable and lethal,” said Under Secretary of the Air Force Matthew Lohmeier, who will lead the initiative.
Two-thirds of Guard and Reserve troops are overweight: study
The implementation of the new fitness standards follows a study released in April by the American Security Project, which found that over two-thirds of Guard and Reserve troops are overweight.
Following the release of the study, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth shared a story from the Military Times on social media about its findings.
“Completely unacceptable. This is what happens when standards are IGNORED — and this is what we are changing. REAL fitness & weight standards are here. We will be FIT, not FAT,” Hagseth wrote.