DON͂A ANA, N.M. - Soldiers in Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 1st Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, have no excuse not to exercise while in the field for the five-week Network Integration Evaluation 13.1 thanks to their troop commander setting up a gym in the tactical operations center.
Capt. Adam J. Hoffmann, HHT commander, set up the mobile gym for soldiers who failed their Army Physical Fitness Test and for soldiers who want to maintain their level of fitness while in the field.
“I knew there would be some down time while in the field, and Soldiers usually read or play cards,” said Hoffmann. “I have some physically fitness challenged Soldiers in my unit, and this gives them no excuse not to workout.”
The gym consists of a circuit of dumbbells, jump ropes, kettlebells, a medicine ball, Perfect Pushups, a pull-up bar, an Ab Roller, and straps used to pull your own body weight for a variety of exercises. Hoffmann walks soldiers through the circuit giving a demonstration of each exercise.
Hoffmann said with the army draw down, physical fitness failures and height and weight failures are an easy way for the army to reach its draw-down goals.
“Soldiers are in control of their own destiny,” said Hoffmann. “Most people get out of shape while in the field and by having this gym, Soldiers can get in better shape.”
Rolling out on the Ab Roller was 1st Lt. Ian Smith, HHT executive officer. With sweat dripping down his face, Smith took a minute to breathe before he started his next exercise.
Smith said he enjoys working out and by it’s important to him to maintain his fitness level, even while if it’s with a few exercises.
“I think it’s awesome I can maintain my personal fitness while in the field,” said Smith.
Calling the circuit “a smoker,” Spc. William B. Fulton, a medic in HHT, 1st Sqdrn., 1st Cav. Regt., said his time spent at the gym was needed after a long demanding day.
“It’s a great stress reliever—we work long days and it’s nice to walk over to the gym and work off stress,” said Fulton.
Fulton said Hoffmann kept the 30-minute high intensity workout fun by motivating the soldiers; and the commander kept them focused towards their fitness goals.
“This is the stuff we need in the field,” said Fulton