Photo By Staff Sgt. Samantha Simmons | Soldiers, led by Sgt. 1st Class Javier Weingart, automotive maintenance supervisor...... read more read more
BAGHDAD — Daily physical fitness is essential in maintaining good health, and the leadership of Company B, Division Special Troops Battalion, 1st Armored Division, has come up with a tough fitness program to whip their Soldiers back into shape.
The remedial physical training program, designed for Soldiers struggling to pass the Army physical fitness test or meet Army height and weight standards, entails structured physical training six days a week, an APFT followed by a weigh-in and tape each month, assistance from a nutritionist and participating in every walk or run on Camp Liberty.
"It's a program that's developed to assist Soldiers," said 1st Sgt. Anissa Jones, the Company B first sergeant and native of Kalamazoo, Mich.
The intent of the program is not to punish Soldiers for failing to meet height and weight or failing an APFT, but to ensure Soldiers are improving. The Soldiers are given realistic goals such as losing 3-5 pounds per month and boosting test scores.
"We're just trying to give the Soldiers something to look forward to in their progress," said Jones.
Monday thru Saturday, the Soldiers engaged in the program meet at the Iron Gym on Camp Liberty at 5:45 a.m. for a fresh start to the day with instructors Sgt. 1st Class Javier Weingart, an automotive maintenance supervisor with Company B from Sonora, Texas, and Staff Sgt. Delroy Barnett, a combat medic also with Company B and native of Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
"We each do three days a week, alternating weeks of cardio-respiratory fitness and muscle-strength and endurance training, so we don't get burnt out," said Weingart.
The routine hits the Soldiers pretty hard at first, but it slows down a few days before the APFT, he added.
"Two days before the PT test, [the Soldiers] take it easy," said Weingart. He added that it's important to give them time to rest, warm up, stretch out and get their minds right before an APFT.
"The ones who don't pass [the APFT] will make a lot of improvements which is what we're trying to bring out," said Weingart.
Weingart said some of the Soldiers have just come off of profiles (which limit physical activity), so it's been a struggle getting back to where they need to be. The Soldiers are working hard and they have support from comrades and leadership in the program. Many peers will come out and run alongside comrades to really push them, he added.
Weingart and Barnett's efforts are yielding results, and Soldiers in the PT program are seeing the difference with each passing day's work.
"There are folks that have lost 20 pounds already that have only been here 90 days," said Weingart.
He added it's not just thanks to the remedial PT program, but the everyday activities such as walking to and from work or to the dining facility.
The Soldiers are counseled on their progress; once their goals are met, they will be released from the program, said Jones, healthier and more physically fit to meet the needs of the Army.
| Date Taken: | 03.23.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 03.25.2010 03:17 |
| Story ID: | 47181 |
| Location: | BAGHDAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 237 |
| Downloads: | 158 |
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