A NEW gender-neutral Army training regime sees press-ups and sit-ups dropped for a more "achievable" fitness test.

The new assessments will be rolled out next year because the enemy "doesn't care about gender or age".

4 Soldiers demonstrate part of the Fire and Movement stage in the British Army's New Physical Employment Standards

For 20 years, fitness assessments were focused on aerobic fitness, demanding stamina, muscular endurance and strength.

Under the new system soldiers will have to do a 4km march carrying 40kg of equipment in less than 40 minutes, followed by a 2km march carrying 25kg of equipment in under 15 minutes.

Soldiers will then have to complete a fire and move exercise in less than five minutes, followed by a 20m drag of a 110kg weight.

Field Army Sergeant Major Gavin Paton said: "I don't care if you are a man or a woman, I don't care what you do, and the enemy doesn't either.”

4 Lance Corporal Nicola Cotton of the Scots Guards, demonstrates the repeated lift and carry stage

4 Soldiers take part in the drag stage of the new fitness tests

4 Soldiers run through the fire and movement stage which tests their muscular endurance

The new tests, devised over a period of three years in conjunction with the University of Chichester, aim to more closely replicate combat scenarios by mimicking real-life military tasks.

Speaking at the Army base in Aldershot, Lance Corporal Nicola Cotton of the Scots Guards said the move was "really positive".

She added: "People underestimate females in the British Army. I think it is about time we upped the ante and make it equal and not make allowances for gender or age."

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Lieutenant Colonel Anne Fieldhouse, from the Royal Army Military Corps, said the new tests need to "fit with the modern approach" to sports science.

Sgt Maj Paton said he could not comment on whether the new tests would impact on the recruitment of women and older people into the Army, but anybody who meets the physical requirements is "more than welcome".

Similar changes to Army entry testing are set to be announced in December.

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