CrossFit a "hit" with new Soldiers at Suwon Air Base

By Spc. Kendirx Lima, 6-52 ADA Unit Public Affairs RepresentativeApril 7, 2015

Hit 2 Kill CrossFit team in Suwon integrates Soldiers new to Korea
1 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – The newest Soldiers with 6-52 Air Defense Artillery pose for a group picture with the instructors of the Hit 2 Kill CrossFit box, Chief Warrant Officer 3 Bradford Hudgins, standardizations officer, and Chief Warrant Officer 3 Juan Perez, tactical dir... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Soldiers conduct High-Intensity-Interval-Training at Suwon Air Base
2 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Chief Warrant Officer 3 Bradford Hudgins, standardizations officer, and Chief Warrant Officer 3 Juan Perez, tactical director, both with 6-52 Air Defense Artillery instruct the unit's newest Soldiers in performing medicine ball squats during a CrossF... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Soldiers pull their weight while assigned to South Korea
3 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Two newly-assigned Soldiers of 6-52 Air Defense Artillery perform band assisted pull-ups during a CrossFit fitness session at the Hit 2 Kill box on Suwon Air Base. New Soldiers with 6-52 ADA train with the unit's veteran CrossFit instructors to prep... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

SUWON AIR BASE, South Korea -- With its focus on a varied mix of high intensity exercises and functional strength conditioning, the fitness philosophy CrossFit has caught the attention of professional athletes and fitness trainers across the world looking to gain a competitive edge.

For Soldiers seeking more of a challenge than the standard Physical Readiness Training exercises, CrossFit represents a new workout regimen with a special emphasis on whole body fitness.

According to its supporters, the results are well-rounded, Soldier--athletes prepared for any physical challenge.

Seeing the potential benefits to Soldier readiness, the 6th Battalion, 52nd Air Defense Artillery Regiment employs the help of its own veteran instructors from the Hit 2 Kill box, CrossFit lingo for gym, on Suwon Air Base to help prepare their newest Soldiers for their tour with the Iron Horse Battalion.

In addition to Korean culture and first aid training, every new Soldier receives at least three sessions of fitness training at the Hit 2 Kill box operated by Chief Warrant Officer 3 Bradford Hudgins, standardizations officer with 6-52 ADA, and Chief Warrant Officer 3 Juan Perez, tactical director with the unit.

The initial workouts for new Soldiers typically involve pushups, pull-ups, squats, rows, planks, burpees and sprints, incorporating the same exercises and fundamentals used by advanced athletes, but are scaled back for beginners.

According to Perez, being able to scale resistance and intensity makes CrossFit ideal for people of all fitness levels.

"CrossFit can be intimidating for some," said Perez. "But the workouts are designed to take into account different levels of ability. It's all just a matter of getting started on the program."

Other Soldiers have experienced the CrossFit integration and agree.

"I was always a little scared to try CrossFit because of how physically demanding it seemed," said Pvt. Summer Adkins, an early warning systems operator with Alpha Battery. "But after doing it here, it's something I plan on continuing. The instructors were highly experienced and knew what physical level each Soldier was at and helped them build themselves stronger."

Since the program began, many Soldiers have seen their scores on the Army Physical Fitness Test, commonly known as a PT test, increase dramatically in just a few weeks' time.

"Without a doubt CrossFit improves Soldiers' fitness," said Hudgins. "Doing these types of workouts that are measurable and timed, they easily translate into a PT test, so we're mentally and physically preparing them for that test. A PT test is just another basic CrossFit workout."

The Hit 2 Kill box, named for the way a Patriot missile intercepts its target, also provides multiple daily workouts led by certified CrossFit trainers for any Soldier looking to accept the challenge.

"Competition is a great way to motivate and push yourself," said Hudgins. "Whether it's for bragging rights or a new personal best, posting our workouts and numbers helps push people to put in that extra effort."