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NEWS | Aug. 21, 2020

Army Reserve issues next Double Eagle Fitness Challenge

By Courtesy

The command sergeant major of the U.S. Army Reserve recently released a memo issuing a new fitness challenge to all Soldiers within the command, due to begin Sept. 7, 2020.

The Double Eagle Fitness (DEFIT) Challenge is a 12-week physical fitness challenge designed to promote improved physical fitness and enhanced ACFT performance across the United States Army Reserve (USAR).

"A key component of Army readiness is physical fitness," wrote Command Sgt. Maj. Andrew Lombardo in that memo. "Command physical readiness metrics have suffered due to the structure of the Army Reserve and more recently the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, a method geared to motivate leaders to be actively involved with their Soldiers must be implemented in order to ensure the most combat ready Soldiers are ready to meet the needs of the Army and the Nation."

The challenge will begin on Sept. 7, 2020, and end on Nov. 29, 2020.

U.S. Army Reserve Soldiers can participate by submitting their information here: 

https://intelshare.intelink.gov/sites/usarwarriorfitt 

To complete the challenge, participants must complete the minimum cardiovascular requirements (cardio can be one event or a cumulative combination of all four) and either the Resistance/Strength training or High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) minimum requirements.

The data input form is automated and will calculate participants’ completion status.

The exercises and ratios are as follows:

Cardiovascular:

Run/Walk/Ruck:  ratio is an average of 12 miles per week. If only cardio event, minimum amount is 144 miles over 12 weeks.

Bike:  ratio is an average of 40 miles per week. If only cardio event, minimum amount is 480 miles over 12 weeks.

Swim:  ratio is an average of 3,218 meters (2 miles) per week. If only cardio event, minimum amount is 38,616 meters over 12 weeks.

Elliptical/Rowing:  ratio is and average of 15 miles per week. If only cardio event, minimum amount is 180 miles over 12 weeks.

Cardio Ex. (1) Week 1: SGT Araya – Runs 6 miles, Rows 7.5 miles = 100%.

Cardio Ex. (2) Week 2: 1LT Adams – Swims 3,218 meters, Bikes 20 miles = 150%. Cardio Ex. (3) Week 3: SFC Darski – Rows 15 Miles, Walks 12 Miles = 200%.

 

Strength/Resistance:

Strength/Resistance is the combined amount of weight lifted measured in lbs. (Ex. Bench Press 5 sets, 10 reps, at 150 pounds = 7,500lbs.)  Bodyweight training (i.e. pushups, sit-ups, pullups, etc.) will not be counted as strength/resistance training for the DEFIT Challenge.  The Strength/Resistance ratio is an average of 30,000 lbs. per week for a total of 360,000 lbs. over 12 weeks in order to complete the minimum requirements.

Strength/Resistance:  ratio is an average of 30,000 lbs. per week for a total of 360,000 lbs. over 12 weeks.

HIIT:

HIIT is a training technique in which you go all-out and give one hundred percent effort through quick intense bursts of exercise, followed by short, sometimes active recovery periods. This type of training keeps your heart rate up and burns fat in less time. HIIT will be annotated by time and tracked by minutes performed each week.  HIIT minutes will not be double/triple counted toward other events (i.e. strength training, running, etc.) for the DEFIT Challenge.  Time spent conducting body weight training can be counted as HIIT training for the DEFIT Challenge.

The HIIT ratio is an average of 45 minutes per week for a total of 540 minutes (9 hours) over 12 weeks. Examples of HITT are located in the enclosure.

HIIT Ex. (1) Week 1: SGT Araya – HIIT 60 Min = 133%

HIIT Ex. (2) Week 2: 1LT Adams – HIIT 90 Min = 200%

HIIT Ex. (3) Week 3: SFC Darski – HIIT 45 Min = 100%

 

Achievements:

United States Army Reserve Command (USARC) POCs will be responsible for tallying and certifying the final scores and achievements.

Soldiers will compete overall and within their age and gender groups. Age groups will be 17-29, 30-39, 40- 49 and 50+. Each Soldier who participates and achieves the minimums or better will receive a certificate signed by the Army Reserve Command Sergeant Major. The top overall male and female, the top three (3) males and (3) females in each age group and the top three (3) males and three (3) females in each event category who complete all required challenge events will receive a medallion and  Certificate of Achievement signed by the USARC Commanding General and Command Sergeant Major.  The award categories for medallions are listed in Enclosure 1.

Units will receive recognition based on the cumulative scores of their Soldiers. The top three (3) units will receive medallions based on the size of unit.  Units will be categorized as Small (<50 Soldiers), Medium (51-100 Soldiers), and Large (>100 Soldiers) and will be limited to USAR “below the line” units. Sizing of units is based on the assigned strength of the unit at the start of the challenge regardless of the number of participants. For example, 123 EN CO has 120 assigned and 30 participants, the unit is classified as a Large unit. Participants must input an accurate UIC on their DEFIT record to be counted towards the unit score.