P90X creator comes to Tyndall

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Alex Echols
  • 325th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  "Exercise is hard enough, and if it isn't any fun, then chances are you aren't going to stick with it," said Tony Horton, P90X creator.

Mr. Horton visited Tyndall Oct. 15 and spent the day working out with Airmen while mentoring them on how they can reach their fitness goals.

"It's an honor to be here at Tyndall and to share what I know," the fitness guru said. "The Air Force always treats me really well. They really want their folks to be as fit and healthy as they can be, and when they invite me to come, it's just an honor to be here. This is how I give back."

Mr. Horton led two separate "Warrior Tough Workouts" in which more than 160 Team Tyndall members participated. The workouts centered on body weight exercises that together create the effect of "muscle confusion." He challenged them to take their fitness regimens to the next level.

"The idea is to be so fit and have it so locked in that the physical fitness assessment is just fun, something that you will kick the crap out of as opposed to something that you resent and struggle with," Mr. Horton said.

Several Team Tyndall members challenged Mr. Horton throughout the day.

"I think it was amazing for him to visit and workout with us," said Tech. Sgt. Randy Aikens, 325th MXS Test Cell section chief. "As an Airman and a fitness professional, this was the ultimate experience for me! It was an honor to meet someone that I have looked up to since becoming a trainer myself. After learning about his story, and seeing him in person, I know exactly what kind of person I need to be in order to make a full transition into fitness once I retire from the Air Force."

The Health and Wellness Center facilitated the visit with April Wisdom, HAWC flight commander and Tech Sgt. Rashad Barnes, 325th Aerospace Medical Squadron Bioenvironmental Engineering NCO in charge of Environmental Quality, organizing the day's events.

"Many of the Airmen were inspired by Mr. Horton's abilities at the age of 55," Ms. Wisdom said. "His strength, flexibility and energy levels are all incredible. The fact that he came to share his time simply for the altruistic act shows the Airmen how much they really mean to him. This is a way for him to give back to the military community."

Tyndall marks the 37th Air Force base Mr. Horton has visited bringing his fitness lessons to the Airmen.

"I think the most important part of his visit is the message he relayed to us," Sergeant Aikens said. "Our society, to include the Air Force, is full of self-inflicted ailments such as type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, hypertension and etcetera, most of which can be controlled, if not prevented by diet and exercise. He wasn't here to tell us all to do P90X, but to re-enforce the fact that we all owe it to ourselves to do something. That something can be whatever motivates us to exercise five to seven days a week to keep us active, healthy and feeling good about ourselves."