September 26, 2013 -- Physical fitness and combat training is a longtime tradition for the country’s military forces so the introduction of Ironman High-Intensity Tactical Training to the Marine Corps’ already intense training regimen was a well-received addition to the Corps’ physical readiness program.
Training to the tunes of blaring, upbeat work-out music, approximately 30 motivated Marines joined forces to run the gambit of obstacles on the grounds of Marine Corps Logistics Base Albany’s Daniels Fitness Center, Friday.
“Ironman High-Intensity Tactical Training and Aquatics Maximum Power-Intense Training are land-based and water-based exercises,” Whitney Hendrix, fitness director, Daniels Fitness Center, MCLB Albany, said.
In describing the obstacles course, Hendrix, coordinator of the base’s Ironman HITT training added, “First, I run them through a quick 30-minute land-based routine, then they go for about a one-and-a-half mile run and, finally, we will end up at the pool for 30-minutes of intense water aerobics.”
“Today, we have it setup to (accommodate) about 44 Marines, usually we have between 30 and 40 show up for this,” Hendrix concluded. “This will be our final High-Intensity Tactical Training for this year.”
Among the routines for Friday’s Ironman HITT land-based training, Hendrix scheduled the group to run through 12 high-impact activities: the wall ball toss, V-ups leg lifts, box push-ups, kettle bell squats, (basic) leg lifts, burpees, kettle bell push press, jumping lunges, TRX pull ups, kettle bell swings, medicine ball torso twists and, finally, battle rope waves.
“Ironman (High-Intensity Tactical Training) allows you to push yourself to the limit,” according to Sgt. Donnato Leon, supply technician, Garrison Supply Branch, MCLB Albany, who has completed the training twice since its inception at MCLB Albany earlier this year. “You get a time limit instead of actual numbers.”
Leon added, “It’s left up to the individual to push (himself/herself) as far as (possible). And, the fact that it is not just stationary, (Marines) get the cardio factor in it and at the very end (they) get to stretch (it out).”
“Basically, we just do a small burst of high-intensity workouts, and that helps with everything — agility, flexibility, speed and other things,” Master Sgt. Alejandra Medina, retail chief, Marine Corps Community Services, MCLB Albany, said.
Medina added, “We are going to be doing some rope exercises. That is really tough and is one of the (routines) that is really challenging for me. The ropes are really heavy and you do all kinds of exercises with them.”
According to the Marine Corps’ Fitness Guide online, the HITT program’s primary purpose is to enhance operational fitness levels and optimize combat readiness and resiliency for the United States Marine.
This comprehensive strength and conditioning program takes into consideration the physical demands of operational-related activities in order to optimize physical performance while in combat, according to the guide.
By implementing the latest cutting edge training methods and fundamental scientific principles, the HITT program focuses on enhancing athleticism for today’s tactical athlete - the United States Marine, the guide also states.
Emphasis of the HITT program is on key components with relation to superior speed, power, strength endurance and overall combat readiness while reducing the likelihood of injury and ensuring that all Marines are physically prepared for combat, according to the fitness guide.