GW Warrior Fitness: Pushing Sailors to the limit

EAST CHINA SEA , AT SEA

07.24.2014

Courtesy Story

USS GEORGE WASHINGTON (CVN 73)

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Chris Cavagnaro

EAST CHINA SEA – The culture of the Navy has always encouraged its Sailors to maintain a high level of physical fitness, and as a result, it’s no surprise that many Sailors spend time at the gym.

More than 5,000 Sailors on board the U.S. Navy’s forward-deployed aircraft carrier USS George Washington have the option to attend any of the 36 Warrior Fitness classes offered by the Morale, Welfare, and Recreation division throughout the week while the ship is underway.

“Keeping the Navy’s people in shape is the primary goal of the classes,” said Brandon Bourgeois, George Washington’s “fit boss." “But we also want them to have fun while they’re working out and hopefully develop lasting workout habits.”

The Warrior Fitness schedule is designed to offer a fun and interactive way to exercise, while providing a break from conventional physical training.

“These fitness courses are very motivating,” said Bourgeois. “All of the classes on our schedule are definitely worth trying out and with such a variety to choose from, I feel there’s something for everyone.”

Cycling, power yoga, athletic fundamentals and Total Body Fit classes are a few of the programs offered on the Warrior Fitness schedule.

“Total Body Fit is a fitness class held three times a week in the ship’s hangar bay that encompasses the basics of calisthenics and cardio,” said Interior Communications Electrician 3rd Class Jasmine Tatman, a Warrior Fitness instructor on George Washington, from Bakersfield, Calif. “The class is a lot of fun. There are no counts and no repetitions. We play music, and everyone enjoys themselves while getting a good workout.”

According to Tatman, Total Body Fit is one of the more popular classes on the schedule with an average attendance of approximately 150 Sailors.

“Total Body Fit incorporates a lot of cardio, and while it is a fun class, it can definitely help reduce any Sailor’s Physical Fitness Assessment [PFA] run time,” said Tatman. “The thing you don’t realize during these workouts is that you’re building up certain muscle groups and by the time the PFA comes around, you’re flying past your normal scores.”

The PFA is held biannually to test Sailors on their ability to perform curl-ups and push-ups, as well as a cardio portion on the treadmill, bike or elliptical.

“I think these classes are a good supplement to a regular workout routine,” said Tatman. “On their own, they may not be enough to achieve an excellent or outstanding on the PFA, but hopefully they create an atmosphere that encourages Sailors on board to strive to reach that next level.”

George Washington and its embarked air wing, Carrier Air Wing 5, provide a combat-ready force that protects and defends the collective maritime interest of the U.S. and its allies and partners in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.

• Date Taken: 07.24.2014
• Date Posted: 07.24.2014 07:29
• Story ID: 137107
• Location: EAST CHINA SEA , AT SEA
• Hometown: BAKERSFIELD, CA, US