Fitness class produces results

Photo By Capt. Amber Kelly-Herard | Members of Joint Base Balad, Iraq, participate in a "CrossFit" class at the 332nd Expeditionary Force Support Squadron Housing 6 Fitness Center. The instructors of the class work to ensure their students attain their physical fitness goals.  

SALAH AD DIN, IRAQ

08.12.2011

Story by Senior Airman Amber Kelly-Herard 

332d Air Expeditionary Wing

SALAH AD DIN, Iraq - The word “CrossFit” is a fairly familiar word to most people stationed at Joint Base Balad, Iraq, as it can be seen and heard at most venues.

Last October, “CrossFit” instructor, Adam Cantrell came to JBB to set up some classes and now classes are offered around the clock.

“’CrossFit’ is constant, varied movements performed at a high intensity,” said Steve Rombado, 332nd Expeditionary Force Support Squadron CH2MHILL KBR Global Services Morale, Recreation and Welfare manager, who is from Houston, Texas. “A workout routine is just that, it gets routine and your body will always adapt, but ‘CrossFit’ involves movements such as squatting, sitting or lifting that you would normally do in nature.”

Despite being offered often, almost all “CrossFit” classes are full.

“Everyone sees improvement, I’ve seen people drop weight, get stronger and improve their physical fitness test,” said Cantrell, who is from Panama City, Fla. “I keep in contact with a lot of my students who have returned home and they tell me how their PFT continues to improve as they keep up the workout.”

Rombado, who is a former bodybuilder, is one of the many people at JBB who have seen improvements.

“’CrossFit’ is constantly changing, I used to do a set of exercises to elicit a muscular response, but that would get monotonous,” he said. “In ‘CrossFit’ I learned I was uninformed on how to lift correctly after lifting for years. I made the corrections and I have noticed little things.”

“Recently I easily dead lifted three times more than I ever have and it was a personal record for me, especially after having back surgery a few years ago,” Rombado continued. “It has been a complete change for me from bodybuilding, but the philosophy makes sense. I have lost 15 pounds this month and am leaner without doing anything drastic.”

Since Cantrell has been here, others from across the base, such as 1st Lt. Spencer Butt, 332nd Operations Group executive officer, have become certified instructors to help keep the classes offered at various times.

“Being an instructor helps me personally because I review each motion and make sure I am doing it right for their sake and mine,” said Butt, who is deployed from Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. “It’s a good way to interact with people, help them fulfill their fitness goals and learn about my own capabilities.”

Butt is originally from Sterling, Va.

For anyone considering “CrossFit”, the H6 Fitness Center offers “CrossFit 101” every Sunday from 1-3 p.m.

“People get scared, but anyone can do ‘CrossFit,’” said Anthony Brown, 332nd EFSS CKGS Fitness manager, who is from Houston, Texas. “The 101 class teaches proper technique and form.”

“It’s not as in depth as a class, but you will learn the fundamentals for anything you might need to do in a class,” added Cantrell.

Additionally, the H6 Fitness center hosts a “CrossFit Challenge” the first and third Thursday of every month.

For more information, visit any Fitness Center on JBB.

Editor’s note: No federal endorsement intended.

• Date Taken: 08.12.2011
• Date Posted: 08.12.2011 08:22
• Story ID: 75235
• Location: SALAH AD DIN, IQ