Our objection then, and what was true until recently, was the lack of time to
exercise
I recall that when the tougher tests were introduced, we were "encouraged" to allow the troops up to 3 hours per week for exercise. Having been leaned just before, and with a staff of around 100, I asked the boss whether we could put in for the extra 8 or so bodies to ensure that we could achieve this. Needless to say, this was not approved!
That said, we managed to get 3 or 4 of the guys qualified to run circuits and spinning sessions which we did once per week with a regular gym booking. (Officers to the front of course). However, when we were taken over by the CS run project team there was disapproval about this non-productive activity and it took some persuasion to get the civvy bosses to allow us to continue.
That said, these weekly sessions helped the officers to get to know the troops much better and were instrumental in getting me, as a 54 year old with a bad back/knees etc, through my final bike test.