Photo By Sgt. Eric Quintanilla | Army Staff Sgt. Eduardo Quezada, Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command, Naval Base...... read more read more
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SAN DIEGO -- Service members looking to improve their physical fitness level have a new class they can attend at the Fitness Center aboard Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego.
Morning Mayhem provides a boot camp-style, full-body workout that pushes its students to their limits using a combination of equipment and body weight.
“The class is basically designed with the active duty personnel in mind, so that their [physical fitness test] and [combat fitness test] scores will continually improve,” said Ron Rivera, instructor and morning supervisor for the MCRD Fitness Center. “A lot of it is strength, core and cardio based all at the same time.”
The students begin in the classroom, using a variety of exercises that use body weight to build strength. The instructor first demonstrates each movement then the class follows his lead.
“As with any [physical training] program, you get what you put into it,” said Army Staff Sgt. Eduardo Quezada, Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command, Naval Base Point Loma. “It helps me meet my goals and is helping us meet our unit goals.”
The students then move on to work with cables, Pilate balls, exercise tubes and body bars to add weight and resistance to their exercises. Between each set of exercises the class runs laps around the classroom or around the outside of the gym.
“I look forward to coming to this class,” said Casey Sprague, Navy spouse visiting from Hawaii. “This is the only class I’ve ever been willing to stick with and enjoy.”
She explains that Rivera’s personality helps to keep the class interesting, and he incorporates a little bit of that Marine Corps mentality. "I know you’re fatigued but I don’t care, get outside in the cold rain," and for her that works very well to have someone push her like that, she added.
Although the class has just been added to the schedule, it has been around for much longer. The class started about a year ago specifically for the Army, as a special request for those seeking improvement.
“The workout was catered toward active duty for their PFT, CFT and the Army’s [physical training assessment] and it kind of just grew into a class itself,” said Rivera.
Generally the class brings in about 15 to 20 students, and many of them take the class regularly. Students often come back excited about improvements they’ve made, explained Rivera.
“I love the combination of upbeat music and upbeat personalities with the hardcore pushups and strength training, the mix of it together, most classes you get one or the other,” said Sprague. “If I’m here for two weeks, I’ll see a change in my fitness just from doing it Monday, Wednesday and Friday.”
Although the class is held early in the morning, many students feel it helps to kick-start their day.
“You’re tired, but you feel good after doing a good workout in the morning,” said Quezada. “My day goes a lot better than if I stay in bed and not do anything.”
The hour-long class is held Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 6 a.m. at the MCRD fitness Center and is open to active duty military, reservists, retirees with a valid military ID, Department of Defense civilians and guests.
“You could come in here and essentially do nothing,” said Sprague. “You could stand in the back of the room, pick up a five pound weight and really not make an effort. But if you’re willing to give back what Ron’s giving to us, then you’re going to see results for sure.”
| Date Taken: | 12.16.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 12.20.2011 16:30 |
| Story ID: | 81628 |
| Location: | CA, US |
| Web Views: | 119 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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