Amp up your workout with Aquatic Maximum Power Intense Training

JAPAN

08.01.2016

Story by Lance Cpl. Nathaniel Cray 

III Marine Expeditionary Force   

CAMP HANSEN, Okinawa, Japan — When invited to go for a swim, most people look forward to a relaxing time in the pool. If a Marine is giving the invitation, however, it’s just the opposite.

Diving into the deep end, Marines from various units on Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, are held back by giant rubber bands as they race from one end of the pool to the other.

When conducting physical training in a pool, your workout is as intense as you make it.

“Aquatic Maximum Power Intense Training is the water version of High Intensity Tactical Training,” said April Walker, an AMP-IT instructor.

Originally designed for wounded warriors, AMP-IT utilizes resistance training in a low impact environment.

One benefit of type of resistance training that AMP-IT offers is that it works to help participants increase their abilities when not in water.

“The training is great,” said Staff Sgt. Christopher Bissonnette, an imagery analyst with 3rd Intelligence Batallion. “There’s a lot of low resistance so it depends on how hard you push yourself.”

Using various techniques and equipment, AMP-IT challenges its participants.

The trainees use aquatic bells that go over their hands for resistance for the arms and upper body. Using fins that go around their ankles work to increase leg strength for running in shallow water.

The training works all of your muscles, said Walker, a Lake Orion, Michigan, native. Tuck jumps, high knees and butt kickers are all part of the program.

I would recommend the training for anyone who has a previous injury or currently injured, said Bissonnette, a Shalimar, Florida, native. It’s good for anyone who just wants to try a little bit of a different PT.

“It’s a lot of fun because you can have a good time with your friends,” said Walker. “Units can come and have fun together and have a bit of competition at the same time.”

“Myself, I have an old injury and it definitely tests the limits of how far you can push that injury with low impact and low resistance,” said Bissonnette. “We did a lot of things you wouldn’t expect. We’ll definitely be coming back with the section.”

The class is offered at Camp Hansen’s 50 meter pool Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and there is no sign up required.

• Date Taken: 08.01.2016
• Date Posted: 08.01.2016 20:27
• Story ID: 205637
• Location: JP
• Hometown: LAKE ORION, MI, US
• Hometown: SHALIMAR, FL, US