The Navy Physical Readiness Test (PRT) bike event is a component of the United States Navy’s fitness examination, designed to assess aerobic capacity.
- The Navy bike event is an alternative to the standard running or swimming cardio events.
- The bike event has a total duration of 14 minutes, which includes 12 minutes of active biking time and a 2-minute cooldown period.
- During the test, participants must keep their hands on the handlebars and may adjust the bike’s resistance settings.
- The Navy calculates your score based on the calories you burn within the 12-minute window.
- If a participant stops to rest, stands up, or stops the machine during the 12-minute active biking period, they receive an automatic score of 20.
Basic Information
- Frequency: The Navy administers the Navy PRT twice a year.
- Minimum Score: A sailor requires an overall score of 50 for a periodic PRT to be ‘Satisfactory.’
- Boot Camp: You need a higher score of 60 for boot camp graduation.
- Events: The test usually comprises three events: push-ups, curl-ups, and running. The stationary bike event is an alternative to the running event.
Duration
- Total time: 14 minutes
- Active Biking Time: 12 minutes
- Cooldown: 2 minutes (calories burned in this period are not counted).
Scoring
- Method: The calories a sailor burns within the 12-minute timeframe determine the score.
- Penalties: An automatic score of 20 is given if one stops to rest, stands up, or stops the machine.
- Requirements: You must keep your hands on the handlebars throughout the test.
- Adjustments: Sailors can alter resistance settings during the test.
Variables affecting the score
- Age
- Gender
- Height
- Weight
- Model of the stationary bike used
The Navy PRT bike event standards are primarily based on the number of calories burned within the 12-minute test duration.
The exact number of calories required to achieve a particular grade can vary depending on multiple factors, such as:
- Age
- Gender
- Height
- Weight
- Model of the stationary bike used
While no official calorie chart is publicly available, sailors can calculate their scores and grades using the official Navy PRT calculator app.
- This app uses the individual’s height, weight, age, gender, and bike model to generate an accurate grade.
Note: The official PFA mobile application calculates PFA standards for the stationary bicycle modality based on the bike model and calorie burn.
Example Scoring Criteria (Life Fitness 95Ci Stationary Cycle)
For example, for test-takers above 40 years old who weigh 190 pounds and use the Life Fitness 95Ci Stationary Cycle:
- Burning 85 calories is considered ‘Satisfactory.’
- Burning 135 calories achieves a ‘Good High’ rating.
- Burning 185 calories is graded as ‘Excellent High.’
Scoring Grades for Different Ages
The grading criteria may also change for different age groups.
- For instance, a 21-year-old male burning 114 calories would receive a ‘Probationary’ grade, while a 35-year-old male burning the same number of calories would receive a ‘Good Low’ grade.
When preparing for or participating in the Navy’s Physical Fitness Assessment (PFA), being aware of the approved equipment is crucial.
- Below is a list of stationary bikes officially approved for use during the Navy PFA.
Cybex Series
- 625C
- 750C
- 770C
Life Fitness Series
- 95C Inspire
- 95Ci Classic Series (CLSC) Upright Bike
- 95Ci XXL
- ASPC / SL Console Upright Bike
- INC / SL Console Upright Bike
- INC / Integrity Series Upright Bike
Matrix
- U5X
Note on Bike Models and Scoring
Different bike models may affect the scoring in the PRT bike event.
- Using a bike model from the approved list ensures that you will accurately measure your performance according to the Navy’s standards.
- It’s important to familiarize yourself with the particular bike model you’ll be using for the test, as each model may have different features or resistance settings.
- By adhering to the list of approved stationary bikes, you can ensure that your PFA scores are valid and standardized across different test locations and events.
Time needed: 12 minutes
Below are the instructions for successfully conducting the Navy PRT bike event on a non-Life Fitness, Inc. stationary bike.
- The CFL/ACFL will ensure the stationary bike machine data is cleared before programming for the Navy PRT bike test.
- The CFL or ACFL will instruct the sailor to sit on the stationary bike.
- The CFL/ACFL will program the following items in the order required by the specific stationary machine:
– Manual program
– The resistance level of the sailor’s choice
– Set the test duration time to 14 minutes (although the actual test duration is 12 minutes; this accounts for machines that utilize automatic cool-down). - The CFL or ACFL will allow the sailor to vary resistance or load as appropriate.
- At the 12-minute mark, the CFL/ACFL will read, announce, and record caloric output from the stationary bike console.
The Navy PRT bike test is complete when exactly 12 minutes have been reached.
- The CFL or ACFL will allow the sailor to cool down as needed
The additional calories burned during the cool-down period shall not be used for Navy PRT bike scoring
- A caloric output of “20” will be entered into PRIMS if any of the following occur during the bike test:
a). The sailor stops to rest.
b). The sailor stops the machine.
c). The sailor stands up.
d). The sailor removes their hands from the handlebars (other than for a short time required for comfort, e.g., to adjust the resistance, wipe off sweat, etc.).
Below are the instructions for successfully conducting the Navy PRT bike event on the Life Fitness, Inc. stationary bike:
- The CFL/ACFL will ensure the stationary bike machine data is cleared before programming for the Navy PRT bike test.
- The CFL or ACFL will instruct the sailor to sit on the stationary bike.
- The CFL/ACFL will program the following items in the order required by the specific stationary machine:
- Using Item 4, select the first button on the left with this (–) symbol. This is your MANUAL workout key.
- Select Item 7 for TIME, and use the up/down arrow to select the time. Enter 14 minutes (although the actual test duration is 12 minutes; this accounts for the automatic cool-down). Indicator (8) will illuminate for time.
- Select Item 7 to increase or decrease the resistance LEVEL; use the up/down arrow to select the resistance level.
- Select Item 7 to adjust the sailor’s WEIGHT; use the up/down arrow to select the weight for the sailor. Indicator (8) will illuminate for weight.
- Select Item 2 GO to start the PRT test.
- The CFL or ACFL will allow the sailor to vary resistance or load as appropriate.
- At the 12-minute mark, the CFL/ACFL will read, announce, and record caloric output from the stationary bike console.
- The Navy PRT bike test is complete when exactly 12 minutes have been reached.
- The CFL or ACFL will allow the sailor to cool down as needed
- The additional calories burned during the cool-down period shall not be used for Navy PRT bike scoring
- A caloric output of “20” will be entered into PRIMS if any of the following occur during the bike test:
- The sailor stops to rest.
- The sailor stops the machine.
- The sailor stands up.
- The sailor removes their hands from the handlebars (other than for a short time required for comfort, e.g., to adjust the resistance, wipe off sweat, etc.).
Related: Navy Prt Bike Calculator
Standards and Grades Based on Calories Burned
For 21-year-old sailors
| Gender | Calories Burned | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Male | 114 | Probationary |
| Male | 118 | Satisfactory Medium |
| Male | 143 | Good Low |
| Female | 94 | Probationary |
| Female | 98 | Satisfactory Medium |
| Female | 113 | Good Low |
For 35-year-old sailors
| Gender | Calories Burned | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Male | 114 | Good Low |
| Male | 118 | Good Medium |
| Male | 143 | Good High |
| Female | 94 | Good Medium |
| Female | 98 | Good Medium |
| Female | 113 | Good High |
Additional Resources
- Calculator: An official Navy PRT calculator app calculates an accurate grade based on various parameters like height, weight, age, gender, and bike model.
Conclusion
The Navy PRT bike event is an alternative to the running component, with specific standards and scoring criteria based on various factors, including age and gender.
- Adequate preparation and understanding of these standards are vital to performing well in this event.
Born and raised in Bozeman, Montana, he graduated from George State University with an MBA in Actuarial Science. His hobbies include beach volleyball, hiking, fishing, and lifting weights
George is also a certified nutritionist with a passion for health and fitness.
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