Don't bring it weak! Take your fitness to a whole new level

  • Published
  • By Col. (Ret.) Bill Routt
  • 325th Fighter Wing
Odds are you've heard of, or been exposed to the term 'CrossFit'. And, you may have an opinion about this type of workout program. Sadly, too many of the negative opinions are not based on reality. I hope that I can remedy this and offer an option to you or your family members.

At building 912 (near the bowling alley) you will find the home of CrossFit on Tyndall, aptly named the Raptor Cage. (Please note that we cannot officially use the name "CrossFit" until it is officially affiliated with the brand.) The building will be open the same hours as the primary fitness facility. There is a cipher lock, and that combination can be obtained at the fitness center's front desk.

Four years ago, as a 43-year-old man, I was exposed to CrossFit, at Ramstein Air Base, Germany. Two Airmen operated what was then called CrossFit Ramstein. It was a non-profit organization that provided instruction and motivation to those interested in becoming more fit. After approximately three weeks, this colonel was completely sold on the method CrossFit espoused.

Today, having taken five Air Force physical fitness tests since then with none less than a 97 percent and more importantly, retired in better condition, I remain convinced that the Air Force should adopt this methodology in its regular programming.

So what is it? CrossFit is a strength and conditioning program based on constantly varied, functional movement, done at high intensity. It specializes in not specializing. Furthermore, it is universally scalable and adaptive to any and all fitness levels.

CrossFit is not a dangerous program. There are some fitness fanatics who take it to the extreme, and as a minimum, that can cause severe injury. I actually find some of the rumors very funny. Suffice it to say, don't believe everything you hear.

Statistics show that roughly six out of every one hundred military individuals do not achieve a passing score on the PT test. To "fix" them we send each to a Fitness Improvement Program. I do believe there are some great things being passed through this program, but I do not think that the program's track record is something to be proud of. Obviously, if there is a better way, or even a way to augment the program, as a military service, should embrace it.

The CrossFit methodology can do more than help our members pass the PT test; it can offer us the unfair advantage on the battlefield. Like performance enhancing drugs, CrossFit takes the individual to a new level of overall fitness. Instead of being a great marathon runner or power lifter, CrossFit strives for all-encompassing, total-body fitness the same way that a military member must be ready for each and every contingency.

Interestingly, I have found that it's not just for the military member either. Indeed, at CrossFit Ramstein, and more recently Arctic CrossFit, at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, half of the members, or individuals who participated were spouses and dependents. In fact, my wife and daughters love CrossFit and completely bought into its methodology also.

In summary, I would like to encourage you and your families to join us. Do not buy all that you hear about from nonbelievers. I have yet to meet anyone who has taken up the CrossFit method and returned to a more typical workout. Those who dispel it have never really tried it. Doing one workout and judging it is like catching a football on the beach and saying you have played the game of football. Give it three weeks of regular programming and you can say you've done CrossFit. By the way, you'll be hooked by then and be calling yourself a CrossFitter.