MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- Sweat hits the floor as participants mimic the movements on a workout video in the IronWorks Gym sports court here Feb. 1.
In a far corner of the sports court, Lt. Col. Michael R. Coletta, Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron commanding officer, starts up the plyometric video and stands in front of all who volunteered to come out for a morning of intense physical training.
“This is an opportunity for whomever wants to, to come out and sweat with us for an hour and do a plyometric workout,” said Coletta. “The intent of this is to have people come out on a volunteer basis to help foster esprit de corps and a sense of camaraderie. Anytime you’re sweating together as a group in PT, you build on that bond.”
Plyometrics is a type of exercise training designed to produce fast, powerful movements, to build cardio endurance and muscle strength.
This series consists of 12 videos, with each video targeting a different skill or set of muscles.
“This is one of the toughest workouts because it uses your own body strength,” said Coletta.“It highly increases your cardio while building your leg muscles from the high intensity workouts. If you do these workouts for three or four months and then go out and run, you’ll notice a significant improvement on your run time and pull-ups.”
While helping Marines and sailors stay in shape and improve on their physical strength tests, the Tuesday morning workout is also a great opportunity for service members to build bonds with each other.
“I want my Marines to have a better relationship with our CO and the command deck,” said Sgt. Tiffany L. Hernandez, H&HS postal noncommissioned officer in charge. “(Lt. Col. Coletta) supports the post office so it’s only right for us to do this and support him.”
The session lasts approximately 60 minutes.
The plyometric video consists of high intensity workouts with small water breaks in between sets of exercises.
“It makes me feel good knowing when I’m putting out, the Marines next to me are working just as hard,” said Pfc. Spencer Erickson, H&HS postal clerk.“If I’m hurting, they’re hurting. It helps me get through the workout knowing my fellow Marines are there with me.”
The plyometric workouts are scheduled to be held every Tuesday and are open to all who want to participate.