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Cadence

CADENCE

The following paragraphs discuss cadence speed and conduct of exercises.

SPEED

Cadence speed is described as SLOW or MODERATE. The speed of each cadence is listed below:

  • SLOW–50 counts per minute.
  • MODERATE–80 counts per minute.

EXERCISE NAME

Once Soldiers have learned the names of the exercises, the PRT leader merely needs to say the exercise name, command the Soldiers to assume the starting position and start them exercising to cadence. For example, this is how the PRT leader begins exercise 1 of preparation, bend, and reach to cadence:

  • The PRT leaders states, “the Bend and Reach.”
  • The Soldiers respond, “the Bend and Reach.”
  • The PRT leader commands, “Starting Position, MOVE” (Soldiers assume the starting position).
  • The PRT leader commands, “In Cadence (Soldiers respond, “In Cadence”), EXERCISE.”
  • The command, “EXERCISE” initiates movement to the position of count 1.

The previous command sequence is also used in the conduct of preparation, recovery, CD, and CL exercises.

Counting cadence ensures that exercises are performed at the appropriate speed. The cadence count indicates termination of movement to each position. The cumulative count is a method of indicating the number of repetitions of an exercise on the fourth count of a 4-count exercise. The use of the cumulative count is required for the following reasons:


  • It provides the PRT leader with an excellent method of counting the number of repetitions performed.
  • It serves as motivation. Soldiers like to know the number of repetitions they are expected to perform.
  • It prescribes an exact amount of exercise for any group.

COUNTS

This paragraph describes the conduct of cadence counts:

Two-Count Exercise

  • The PRT leader counts, “Up, down.”
  • The Soldiers respond, “One.”
  • The PRT leader counts, “Up, down.”
  • The Soldiers respond, “Two.”
  • The PRT leader counts, “Up, down.”
  • The Soldiers respond, “Three,” and so forth.

Four-Count Exercise

  • The PRT leader counts, “One, two, three.”
  • The Soldiers respond, “One.”
  • The PRT leader counts, “One, two, three.”
  • The Soldiers respond, “Two.”
  • The PRT leader counts, “One, two, three.”
  • The Soldiers respond, “Three,” and so forth.

Eight-Count Exercise

  • The PRT leader counts, “One, two, three, four, five, six, seven.”
  • The Soldiers respond, “One.”
  • The PRT leader counts, “One, two, three, four, five, six, seven.”
  • The Soldiers respond, “Two.”
  • The PRT leader counts, “One, two, three, four, five, six, seven.”
  • The Soldiers respond, “Three,” and so forth.

Termination

To terminate an exercise, the PRT leader will raise the inflection of his voice while counting out the cadence of the last repetition. The Soldiers and PRT leader respond with “HALT” upon returning to the starting position.

Two-Count Exercise

  • The PRT leader counts, “Up, down.”
  • The Soldiers respond, “Four.”
  • The PRT leader counts “Up, down” (with voice inflection).
  • The Soldiers and PRT leader respond, “HALT.”
  • The PRT leader commands “DISMOUNT.”
  • The Soldiers dismount the climbing bars.
  • The PRT leader commands “Position of attention, MOVE.”
  • The Soldiers assume the position of attention.

Four-Count Exercise

  • The PRT leader counts, “One, two, three.”
  • The Soldiers respond, “Nine.”
  • The PRT leader counts, “One, two, three” (with voice inflection).
  • The Soldiers and PRT leader respond, “HALT.”
  • The PRT leader commands “Position of attention, MOVE.”
  • The Soldiers assume the position of attention.

Eight-Count Exercise

  • The PRT leader counts, “One, two, three, four, five, six, seven.”
  • The Soldiers respond, “Four.”
  • The PRT leader counts, “One, two, three, four, five, six, seven” (with voice inflection on counts five, six, and seven).
  • The Soldiers and PRT leader respond, “HALT.”
  • The PRT leader commands, “Position of attention, MOVE.”
  • The Soldiers assume the position of attention.
George N.
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