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GUANTANAMO BAY, Cuba - While stationed or deployed to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, many Joint Task Force Troopers look to exercise their minds as well as their bodies. With the sun shining every day and beaches all around, why not? While most service members would like to obtain a beach body, many find it hard to establish work out routines or simply don’t know how. Not to worry GTMO, G.J. Denich Gym has a solution for you: Everton Hylton, a native of St. Mary, Jamaica, is here to help.
Hylton, a certified fitness trainer, is responsible for teaching 12 fitness classes a week and whipping Troopers into shape. Hylton knows what it takes to properly train Troopers and help them reach new goals by improving their fitness and diet.
Hylton’s love for fitness started as a young man. While in high school, he ran track and started to lift weights. He began bodybuilding and pushing his muscles to their absolute limit. Unfortunately, Hylton eventually reached that limit.
Hylton’s bodybuilding career ended in 1997 due to health complications. He learned the hard way that there is more to body building than eating a lot of food and lifting a lot of weights.
After Hylton thought his fitness career was over, he found hope and a new start.
While working in the hotel industry, Hylton was afforded the opportunity to earn his Aerobics and Fitness Association of America certification and began teaching fitness courses. After years of working in the hotel industry, Hylton’s friend Karl contacted him and offered him an opportunity as a fitness trainer here.
“I came here and expected to do two to three years,” Hylton said. “There are opportunities to get off of the island, but basically for me, I enjoy being here that’s really why you’re here for so long. You get to see new people all the time. I really enjoy doing the job.”
Hylton understands the significance of his job. He said he understands people come here and want to get in great shape.
“People are worried about their physical fitness,” Hylton said. “They just want to be lean and mean. They want to look healthy and strong.”
Hylton helps troopers obtain those desires through the multitude of classes he teaches. Currently, Hylton’s most popular class is the Speed and Agility/Quickness class.
“Hylton kicks our butts every single time,” said Sgt. Apolonia Mejia, a JTF trooper. “I know every time the exercise is going to be different and it’s going to push me to the limits… It’s a new experience every single time.”
Hylton sets up a gruesome course, where participant’s cycle through seven to eight different stations designed to challenge and strengthen their muscles. SAQ classes are held every Tuesday and Thursday from 7 - 8:30 p.m.
“He [Hylton] is motivational, inspirational,” said Sgt. Eduardo Nunez, an information technology specialist, assigned to the JTF. “He challenges us; he sets high expectations, but realistic expectations. I feel like I’ve improved a lot from when I first began to right now.”
With an upcoming Army Physical Fitness Test, Nunez said, he feels confident, thanks to Hylton’s SAQ course.
“We’ve [SAQ participants] become a big team,” Nunez said. “It’s like a family out here, so I feel like I have to come see my family.”
While Hylton enjoys the success of one class, he would like to see better success in another.
“We have another great class that is not doing as well as it could be,” Hylton said. “The body regeneration class. It really enhances recovery. [In this class] you work the soft tissues to aid recovery and also to loosen up, to enhance the range of motion in the body.
Whatever activity you’re engaged in you will be able to function more effectively.”
The body and regeneration class is held every Friday at 5 p.m., and teaches there is more to fitness than just lifting weights, running and cardio.
“Most people think that lifting heavy weights is really going to build their muscles,” Hylton said. “The key to getting bigger muscles is basically to train smart.”
Through his years of experience as a trainer and athlete, Hylton learned many lessons.
“I think the most important lesson is to always appreciate life,” Hylton said. “Because life is so important, it’s precious you know? I encourage people to keep physically fit because it adds years to your life. Your lifestyle, literally, will determine your health issues that will be coming later on in life.”
For a complete list of Hylton’s classes, visit the G.J. Denich Gym or call x77262.
| Date Taken: | 08.28.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 03.01.2016 13:51 |
| Story ID: | 190704 |
| Location: | GUANTANAMO BAY, CU |
| Web Views: | 148 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, GTMO gains with Everton Hylton, by SPC Justin Malone, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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