Photo By Staff Sgt. Reece Lodder | Marines and sailors assigned to Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay stretch their way...... read more read more
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When excuses for poor fitness are more creative than a workout or scaling stairs is the day’s physical training session, it’s time to reinvigorate workout regimens. Seeking a fresh, intense fitness routine for personal and unit PT, Gunnery Sgt. Katrina Michael has found an insane solution.
Prompted by seeing a commercial for fitness guru Shaun T’s Insanity Workout, Michael, Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay’s C-20 Operations chief, said she decided to give it a try. She purchased the package, labored through the insanity, and was so impressed by it that she brought it to her shop.
“Marines benefit from this workout because it enables them to build cardiovascular endurance, strength, and aids in healthy weight loss,” said Michael, of Virginia Beach, Va. “‘Insanity’ is also great for unit PT as it doesn't require any equipment other than a DVD player and something to play the workout on.”
Following the 60-day program, users perform the 30 to 40 minute workouts on a six-day-a-week schedule. The workouts can be done individually or with a group, and allow users to tailor their output based on their fitness level.
Nonetheless, Michael was quick to add, “You’re not going to get out of it what you don’t put into it.”
Using the Insanity Workout as PT provided Michael the challenging variety she was looking for, and a refreshing change of pace for C-20 Ops. While Michael and her co-workers frequently PT, they wanted more than the standard, one-size-fits-all approach.
“We needed a different workout to test us,” said Master Sgt. Richie Quinata, air operations chief, MCAS, of Merico, Guam. “We got bored with doing the same PT every day.”
In non-stop, circuit training style, the workouts run through a wide range of exercises including plyometrics, cardiovascular conditioning and core strengthening. Weights and workout equipment are not needed.
Staff Sgt. Jerrand Carr, assistant operations chief, C-20 Ops, said the tough workouts have helped him with flexibility, conditioning, and being prepared for the annual Combat Fitness Test. A co-worker echoed the Jacksonville, Fla., native’s sentiments.
“The workout is different from the norm, which makes it fun,” said Cpl. Christopher Thompson, an aviation operations specialist with C-20 Ops.
“It’s not just like going out and running three miles. The exercises are challenging, but each workout builds up to the next,” said Thompson, of New Haven, Conn.
As the Insanity Workouts progress, the exercises become more advanced and the difficulty level increases. Even the warm-ups bring each of the trainees to a sweaty state.
Following the warm-up portion of a recent C-20 Ops workout, the trainer on the video allowed trainees a quick break, saying, “Grab some water and then we’re going into the workout.”
Hunched over and dripping with sweat, an exasperated David Catimon, technical support representative, Automated Training and Readiness for Marine Aviation (M-SHARP), MCAS, exclaimed, “Man, I thought that was the workout!”
The exhausting series of exercises continued for 30 minutes, but the trainees agreed the pain and challenge were worth it in the end.
“I’m tired,” said Catimon, a retired Marine master sergeant from Pasadena, Calif. “Believe me, it’s a workout. If you know your body and you pace yourself, it’s a great program to use.”
Though busy schedules, unbalanced diets, and insufficient time devoted to sleep may place a damper on workout routines, Michael said the program is simple and quick enough to stay dedicated for its entire eight-week duration. The workout’s intensity and involved nature force serious trainees to lead a healthy lifestyle, which is challenging but helps them maximize on its benefits.
“The best way to prepare for the workout is to hydrate, get adequate rest, partake in a healthy diet, and most importantly, to do the fitness test prior to starting the program,” Michael said.
| Date Taken: | 11.17.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 11.17.2010 20:29 |
| Story ID: | 60364 |
| Location: | MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII, US |
| Web Views: | 154 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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