French Foreign Legion Updates Physical Fitness Standards: What It Means for Soldiers Worldwide
April 8, 2025
The French Army’s Evolving fitness Standards
The French Foreign Legion, known for its rigorous training and elite soldiers, has updated its physical fitness standards, specifically concerning push-up execution. These changes, implemented as part of the CCPM (Contrôle de la Condition Physique du Militaire), the French military’s official annual fitness tests, have significant implications for soldiers’ career progression, assignments, and promotion opportunities.
The push-up test, or Capacité musculaire générale (CMG), is a crucial component of the General Physical Fitness Test (Contrôle de la condition physique générale, CCPG). As of February 2025, the standards for performing push-ups have been revised, emphasizing correct technique and perhaps impacting performance scores. This mirrors the U.S. Army’s emphasis on proper form during the Army Combat fitness Test (ACFT), where even a single rep performed incorrectly can invalidate the entire set.
In a recent video, Major Gérald, a senior NCO in the French Foreign Legion, provided a detailed description of these updated regulations. The video illustrates the correct push-up technique required to meet or exceed the new standards.This is reminiscent of the detailed instructions and demonstrations provided by the U.S.Army master Fitness Trainers, ensuring consistent request of fitness standards across the force.
Inside the New Push-Up standards
Key to understanding the updated standards is the emphasis on precise execution. While the exact changes to the technique are detailed in Major Gérald’s video, the core principle remains consistent across military fitness assessments globally: proper form minimizes injury and maximizes the effectiveness of the exercise.
Senior Corporal Jeremy, a long-serving member of the Foreign Legion with a background in mixed martial arts (MMA), assists Major Gérald in the video. His experience in combat sports highlights the importance of functional fitness and proper technique, skills that are highly valued in military service. This mirrors the U.S.military’s increasing focus on combatives training and the incorporation of MMA-inspired exercises into fitness programs.
Scoring and Implications
The CCPG scoring system dictates the number of push-ups required for maximum points. Currently, French soldiers aged 18 to 21 must perform 45 correctly executed push-ups to achieve full marks, while those aged 22 to 37 need to complete 50. These standards directly influence career opportunities.
This age-graded scoring system is common in military fitness tests worldwide, including the U.S. ACFT. The ACFT scores soldiers based on age and gender, acknowledging the physiological differences that impact physical performance. However,the ACFT has faced criticism for its potential impact on women and older soldiers,highlighting the challenges of creating a fair and effective fitness assessment for a diverse military population.
| Age Group | Push-Ups Required (Full Marks) | implication for Career |
|---|---|---|
| 18-21 | 45 | Promotion, Assignments, Career Progression |
| 22-37 | 50 | Promotion, Assignments, Career Progression |
Beyond the Push-Up: A Holistic Approach to Military Fitness
While the updated push-up standards are critically important, thay represent just one facet of a thorough military fitness program. The French Foreign Legion, like the U.S. military, emphasizes a holistic approach to physical readiness, encompassing cardiovascular endurance, strength, agility, and mental toughness.
As an example, search result [1] mentions an “8Km run with full kit and rucksack, rifle and helmet to be completed in less than 1 hour.” This emphasis on loaded marching is also present throughout the U.S. military, with events like ruck marches being central to unit cohesion and combat readiness.
The push-up is a foundational exercise, testing upper body strength and endurance. It’s easily scalable, requiring no equipment, and can be performed virtually anywhere. In the U.S. military, push-ups are a staple of physical training (PT), often incorporated into daily workout routines and used as a measure of overall fitness. Moreover, the physical fitness programs affect:
- Career advancement.
- Specialized training opportunities.
- Leadership roles.
Counterarguments and Considerations
Some critics argue that an overemphasis on specific exercises like push-ups can lead to imbalances and neglect other important aspects of fitness. They contend that a more comprehensive assessment, incorporating a wider range of exercises and movement patterns, would provide a more accurate picture of a soldier’s overall physical readiness.
Moreover, there are concerns about the potential for injury if soldiers are pushed too hard to meet the required standards, especially without proper training and supervision. This raises the importance of qualified fitness instructors who can provide individualized guidance and ensure that soldiers perform exercises safely and effectively.
Practical Applications and Training Insights
For U.S. soldiers and fitness enthusiasts alike, the French Foreign legion’s updated push-up standards offer valuable insights into the importance of proper technique and consistent training. Whether preparing for a military fitness test or simply striving to improve overall fitness,here are some practical tips:
- Focus on Form: Prioritize correct technique over the number of repetitions. Watch instructional videos and seek guidance from qualified fitness professionals.
- Progressive Overload: Gradually increase the number of push-ups you perform over time. Start with a manageable number and add a few repetitions each week.
- Variety is Key: Incorporate different types of push-ups into your training routine to target different muscle groups. Examples include incline push-ups, decline push-ups, and close-grip push-ups.
- Listen to your Body: Rest and recovery are essential for preventing injuries. Don’t push yourself too hard, especially when starting a new training program.
How do teh updated push-up standards for the French Foreign Legion align with the LegionS holistic approach to fitness training?
Archyde Interviews: Analyzing the French Foreign Legion’s Updated Fitness Standards
Welcome, readers, to Archyde! Today, we have the pleasure of speaking with Sergeant Major Dubois, a seasoned fitness instructor and military advisor, to discuss the recent updates to the French Foreign Legion’s physical fitness standards. Sergeant Major, welcome.
Sergeant Major Dubois: Thank you for having me. It’s a privilege to share my insights.
The Evolution of Fitness in the French Foreign Legion
Archyde: Sergeant Major, the French foreign Legion is renowned for its demanding training. What are the most significant changes in these new fitness standards, specifically regarding the push-up test?
Sergeant Major Dubois: The main shift is the heightened emphasis on correct technique during push-up execution, as part of the CCPM. This isn’t just about quantity anymore; it’s about quality. Proper form minimizes injury and ensures the exercise’s effectiveness, aligning with global military fitness standards.
Push-Up Standards: A Closer Look
Archyde: Could you elaborate on how the scoring works, and what this means for legionnaires of different age groups?
Sergeant Major Dubois: Certainly. Legionnaires are scored based on their performance and age. For example, those aged 18 to 21 must correctly execute 45 push-ups to achieve full marks, while those aged 22 to 37 need 50. these scores directly influence their career progression, assignments, and opportunities for promotion. Quality push-up performance is crucial.
Beyond Push-Ups: A Holistic Approach
Archyde: The article mentions that the Foreign Legion adopts a holistic fitness approach. How do these new push-up standards fit into this larger picture of overall fitness?
Sergeant Major Dubois: While the push-up is essential, military fitness is more than just one exercise. It encompasses cardiovascular endurance, strength, agility, and mental toughness. Tests like the 8km run with full gear underscore endurance and combat readiness. It’s about building well-rounded,resilient soldiers.
Implications and Training Advice
Archyde: What advice would you give to soldiers preparing for these updated fitness assessments, and what lessons can fitness enthusiasts draw from these changes?
Sergeant Major Dubois: First and foremost, focus on proper form. Watch instructional videos and seek guidance. Secondly, implement progressive overload by gradually increasing the number of push-ups. Vary your exercises, and, critically, listen to your body to prevent injuries. Proper training is key.
The Broader Context
Archyde: Fitness training worldwide seems to be pushing towards more focused routines, and more emphasis on technique and physical form during exercise. What are your thoughts on the future of fitness programs in the military?
Sergeant major Dubois: I believe we’ll see continued integration of functional fitness, mirroring what we see in civilian sectors such as MMA or Crossfit training. This is an evolution rather than a revolution, as the main goal is to have our people ready and healthy for combat. Fitness professionals are also seeking more effective and safe performance techniques. It is indeed a constant evolution.
A Final Thought
Archyde: Sergeant Major, in your experience, what do you believe is the biggest challenge in creating fair and effective fitness assessments for diverse military populations, and how can this challenge be approached?
Sergeant Major Dubois: The biggest challenge is balancing inclusivity with the demands of combat readiness. One approach is to acknowledge individual differences through age and gender-graded standards, but it’s crucial to periodically review and adjust these standards based on scientific research and practical experience. The ultimate goal is to guarantee all soldiers are capable of carrying out their duties safely and efficiently. This is always a work in progress.
Archyde: Sergeant Major Dubois, thank you for sharing your expertise with us today. This has been an insightful discussion!
Sergeant Major Dubois: The pleasure was all mine.
