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Fitness blahs crossed out with new program

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Nathanael Callon
  • 379th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
SOUTHWEST ASIA --  When Staff Sgt. Roberto Salinas arrived here two months ago, he saw several people doing the same type of workouts that he had been doing for years but they were all working out alone.

"I saw people all over the place who shared the same workouts as me, so I decided that I wanted to create a program that would bring us together," said Salinas, a trained CrossFit and Starting Strength instructor.

The program Salinas came up with included exercises from a wide range of fitness platforms, including gymnastics, power lifting, plyometrics and cardiovascular exercises.

"When someone comes into one of our fitness sessions, they are going to get a full-body workout," he said, since some exercises target multiple parts of the body in one fluid movement.

For example, a full body exercise like a "burpee"--a combination of a squat, push-up, and a jump--targets the legs, chest and also builds balance.

"We incorporate an assortment of exercises into a comprehensive workout that hits a range of muscles and really gives people a unique experience," he said. "The chances are slim that someone would ever have the exact same workout twice."

Because many of the workouts test both strength and endurance, it can also supplement an athlete's current fitness program.

"I usually just do a lot of cardio, but I wanted to try something different and build upper-body muscle at the same time," said Capt. Pamela Nuila, 379th Expeditionary Force Support Squadron and native of Guatemala City. "This is my first time doing this workout but I feel it already."

The workouts are the same for everyone, but the intensity and amount of weight used are scalable to each individual.

"It's a really good program for anyone who wants to get in shape," he said. "Anyone from a beginner to the experienced athlete can benefit from this workout."

The workouts also emphasize teamwork and camaraderie, said Master Sgt. Joe Meyer, 609th Air and Space Operations Center and native of Richmond, Va.

"It's a completely new challenge trying to rely on your partner for a workout," said Meyer. "Today's workout had one person running 400 meters with a tire or carrying 50-pound water cans, while their partner performs one stationary exercise for that entire time. You want to make it easier for your teammate, who could be doing shoulder shrugs that entire time you're gone."

Salinas said the workouts are strenuous and demanding, but it brings people together.

"Every workout is a struggle, but they struggle together," he explained. "Being physically resilient is important, especially when dealing with the stresses of deployment. When Airmen work out together, they also build that social bond that keeps them involved."

"They are sharing email addresses, offering suggestions and hanging out afterward," he said. "It is really a great thing."