Photo By Staff Sgt. Robert Ponder | Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Andrew Murray does box-jumps with the local workout...... read more read more
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GUANTANAMO BAY, Cuba - It’s early evening, and a group of about 20 are stretching their hamstrings, jumping rope and doing pull-ups. A pulse thumping mix of The Bravery and “Rise Against” plays over the speaker. There’s a light breeze blowing through Cooper Field, but not enough to cool down this sweat-dripping core warm-up that’s about to happen. Spectators will first see it looks a lot like CrossFit, but this group refuses to be called CrossFitters. They are known as GitmoFit.
A lot like CrossFit, Fit is a class that primarily focuses on cardiovascular endurance, strength training, flexibility, power, agility and balance. Exercises range from Olympic-style lifting, gymnastics, tire flips, box jumps, burpees, running sprints up JPJ Hill and everything in-between.
At the helm of this group is Spc. Adam Leighty, with the 525th Military Police Battalion. He is what you would call the coach, mentor or ring leader of this group. Leighty comes up with the different variations of exercises, which challenges everyone physically as well as mentally.
During the classes, Leighty walks around kind of like a drill sergeant would during corrective physical training, not to yell at you, but to make corrections in your form, ensuring the group is doing the exercises safely and staying motivated. When taking on this project, his primary objective had one main goal in mind.
“Most importantly we’re out here to get a good workout and have a good time,” said Leighty.
Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Andrew Murray, with the Naval Computer and Telecommunications Area Master Station, has been coming to the class for the last two months. In that period, he has shed a total of 25 pounds.
“Since joining the class I feel better, eat better, and I sleep better,” said Murray. “Each day is a new set of exercises and challenges. You never know what the next day’s workout is going to be, and this is good, because if we knew prior to coming, we probably wouldn’t even show up.”
When participating in GitmoFit, one of the first things you’ll notice is the camaraderie of the group. Everyone is eager to assist one another in getting that last repetition or help motivate their fellow service member.
Air Force 1st Lt. Sean Coombs, the J6 Information Assurance officer in charge, has been doing these types of workouts for quite some time and says this is one of the best groups he’s had the chance to work out with.
“The community is very close, and the motivation in the group is very high,” said Coombs. “Adam does a great job with the programming and putting the classes together, plus the price is right.”
So maybe you are looking to add to your workout routine or try something a little more challenging. Whatever your reasons are, classes are held Monday through Friday at 6:30 p.m. behind the softball fields.
“We welcome all branches, civilians and ages; doesn’t matter what your fitness level is, if you want to get fit, come out,” said Leighty.
| Date Taken: | 05.16.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 05.16.2014 10:50 |
| Story ID: | 130075 |
| Location: | GUANTANAMO BAY , CU |
| Web Views: | 176 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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