Appendix B

Climbing Bars

This appendix discusses climbing bars required for physical readiness training.

LAYOUT

B-1. Figure B-1 shows the climbing bar layout required for toughening and sustaining phase PRT drills.

SPECIFICATIONS

B-2. The specifications for the climbing bars follow:

• Five posts.
• Each of the five posts measures 6 inches square by 12 feet long.
• Each post is sunk 3 feet into the ground.
• Two bars.
• Each of the two bars is a threaded water pipe.
• Each bar measures 1.5 inches outside diameter by 12 feet long.
• Each bar has two 1-inch deep end caps.
• The bars are through the 6 by 6s at 7.5 and 8 feet above the ground.
• The distance from inside post edge to inside post edge is about 62 inches (Figure B-2). This is to allow enough bar space to conduct all exercises safely.
• The step-ups (16 inches long) are cut from 4 by 4 inches by 8-foot posts and secured to the 6 by 6s with 3-inch screws that are countersunk.
• The step-ups on the outside 6 by 6 posts are 18 inches from the ground; the step-ups on the inside post are 24 inches above the ground (Figure B-3).

PLANNING CONSIDERATIONS

B-3. The following planning considerations apply:

• Climbing bars provide adequate space and facilitate better command and control than traditional pull-up bars.
• Traditional pull-up bars are too narrow to safely and efficiently conduct the CLs.
• Use of multiple climbingbar ―pods,‖ as shown in Figure B-4, allow for efficient mass training.
• The CLs require one bar for every three Soldiers when performed as a single activity.
• Total ground surface area for four pods is only 625 square feet.
• Four pods will accommodate 16 stations of 3 Soldiers per station for a total of 48 Soldiers.
• Additional freestanding pods should be constructed to accommodate more Soldiers.