Vanguard Battalion Spearheads Gym-In-A-Box Program

Courtesy Photo | Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 18th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division participated in the fielding of the Gym in a Box during the Holistic Health and Fitness program, which requires Soldiers to perform the new Army Combat Fitness Test. The GIABs allowed the battalion to sustain the rigorous physical training required for the ACFT during their recent Joint Readiness Training Center, Rotation 19-09, at Fort Polk, Louisiana. The GIAB provides a variety of equipment for Soldiers to focus on strength, power, and muscular endurance.  

FORT RILEY, KANSAS, UNITED STATES

09.13.2019

Courtesy Story

1st Infantry Division

FORT POLK, La. — Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 18th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division maintain their physical fitness with Gyms-In-A-Box during their Joint Readiness Training Center, Rotation 19-09, at Fort Polk, Louisiana.
In keeping with the 1st Inf. Div.’s ‘Fit First’ initiative, the “Vanguard” battalion deployed their GIABs to maintain and improve Soldier physical fitness during their extended field training.
During extended training exercises, a Soldiers’ fitness level can potentially decrease. The GIAB provides a solution and gives the units the necessary equipment required to keep physical fitness levels where they need to be.
“It is an outstanding piece of equipment,” said Spc. Angel Aride, Soldier from Company B, 1st Bn., 18th Inf. Regt. “It was a wish come true when we opened it.”
Soldiers praised the GIABs for the capabilities it provides in sustaining physical readiness.
“It gives you more versatility,” said Cpt. John Valitutto, Commander of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Bn., 18th Inf. Regt. “Of the six primary components of physical fitness, strength and power are difficult to train in the field environment. The Gym-In-A-Box makes it quite easy to train and maintain these components.”
The “Vanguard” battalion participates in the Holistic Health and Fitness program, which requires Soldiers to perform the new Army Combat Fitness Test. The GIABs allowed the battalion to sustain the rigorous physical training required for the ACFT. The GIAB provided a variety of equipment for Soldiers to focus on strength, power, and muscular endurance.
Soldiers found the GIAB’s convenience and ability to contain all of the essential equipment found in a typical gym, surprising.
“I thought it was going to be small stuff,” said Pfc. Martin Rodriguez, a Soldier from 1st Bn., 18th Inf. Regt. “But when I opened it, I was surprised. It had enough for everything like cross-fit and lifting.”

• Date Taken: 09.13.2019
• Date Posted: 10.29.2019 23:28
• Story ID: 349805
• Location: FORT RILEY, KANSAS, US