Cross Fit gaining popularity with Fort Bragg Soldiers

by Master Sgt. Gary L. Qualls, Jr.
82nd Abn. Div. PAO

	photos by Master Sgt. Gary L. Qualls/82nd Abn. Div. PAO Isaac German, left, Barrie Royal, center, and David Danforth of the 407th Brigade Support Battalion put mind over matter and move a training sled across “the yard” during Cross Fit training. The training is designed to give the Soldiers a full body workout.

Going across Fort Bragg at dawn, rather than just seeing Soldiers merely running up and down Longstreet Road, more and more, sweat-drenched grunts can be seen tossing duffle bags, pushing and pulling heavy obstacles and spurring one another on.  It’s the new wave in physical training – called Cross Fit.

Cross Fit is a strength and conditioning fitness method designed to give participants a full-body work out, including tossing medicine balls, pushing football-practice-type sleds and shot putting with running and pushups and pull ups mixed in.

The circuit of events is timed and creativity is part of the program.  The circuit can always be modified for variety as well as for improvement.

Lt. Col. Matthew Shatzkin, battalion commander and Command Sgt. Maj. Iteago Felton incorporated it into 407th Brigade Support Battalion when they took over at the battalion.

“We believe 70 percent of the unit’s problems can be solved right here,” Shatzkin said. “This training keeps us ready. It builds leaders. It brings the team together and enables us to learn a lot from each other, ” he said.

“There’s no limit to what we can create or implement with this program,” Felton added.
Soldiers have to work together to be successful at the training.

If one Soldier is having an off day, his teammates have to pick up the slack, Shatzkin said.
“It does provide the teamwork,” agreed Capt. Amy Robinson, the battalion adjutant. “If you’re part of a team, you’re more likely to push yourself.”

The training is a challenge for all. “No matter what your job or ability, you’re going to get smoked out here,” Robinson said.

“And this training is no rank and all heart,” Felton said, adding it is an aspect the battalion’s Soldiers love.

Some Soldiers enjoy the variety of the workout. “It’s something different every single day. It’s never twice the same thing,” said Sgt. Brian Lowry, a combat medic.

Another key aspect of the training is that performance can be measured and thus progress determined through recording the repetitions and time of events, say unit leaders.

“The events we do in this training are similar to things we do in our jobs or in the field,” said Spc. Erik Freeman about the practicality of the training.

Other units are taking notice of the training. 

“We see them looking over here every day,” Felton said. The unique form of training is catching on at Fort Bragg and throughout the Army, he said.

“A PT test has nothing on this.  It’s incredible.  I love it,” Freeman said.