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Airmen, Soldiers get to core of crunches

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Carlos Diaz
  • U.S. Central Command Air Forces
BALAD AIR BASE, Iraq (AFNEWS) --  With their shoes off, water bottles by their sides and hand towels ready for sweat, service members at the H6 fitness center feel the burn during an abs class.

"It's important to have a healthy lifestyle because it helps to get the mission done," said 1st Lt. Kathryn Romano of the 332nd Expeditionary Communications Squadron.

According to the co-instructors, Lieutenant Romano and Army Capt. Bill Woods, the abs routine delivers a good core workout.

"This abs program is meant to challenge individuals," Lieutenant Romano said. 

The abs class is taught three nights per week. Each session lasts between 30-45 minutes. The classes feature 4-count flutter kicks, 90-degree crunches, oblique and banana crunches, V-sits and planks, just to name a few.

"In general, strength core exercises such as Pilates and yoga have become very popular over the years because they concentrate on building good posture," Lieutenant Romano said.

"They make you feel better, lengthen your muscles and help alleviate some back problems," she said.

The abs classes consistently attract at least 30 service members each session, Lieutenant Romano said.

During this particular session, the students panted, grunted and grinded their teeth as they performed each grueling routine. Some students clapped as workout music played in the background. Captain Woods, wearing a microphone headset, encouraged them to properly complete each rep.

During the session, he also joked and injected humor.

"I try to make the workout fun," Captain Woods, G4 Maintenance officer in charge at the 13th Sustainment Command. "It's just part of my personality to add humor, good music and see the students enjoy the workout."

Captain Woods, a towering man, has lost 45 pounds since arriving at Balad in September. He said he tipped the scales at 255 pounds and now he's a slender 209.

"I gradually incorporated aerobics, abs training and a disciplined diet to my daily routine," he said.

The captain emphasized the importance of fitness in today's military climate.

"With our high ops tempo, there's no ands, ifs, or buts about it, you have to stay fit," he said. "Fitness helps with combat and emotional stress."

Senior Airman Anthony Mejia, who performs 1,000 push-ups a day, puts fitness at the forefront. He wants to eclipse 85,000 push-ups by the time his deployment ends.

"Being fit creates a lot more energy," the 332nd ECS graphic designer said. "I want to increase strength and endurance while I'm here."

Another communications troop, Tech. Sgt. Edward Hegner, has a weight loss goal of 25 pounds.

"I'm here every day, so losing weight is a personal priority of mine," he said.

For the abs class students, finishing this particular session is one step closer to accomplishing their personal fitness mission. 

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