Sgt. Erik Slott, left, attempts to apply a choke hold to professional fighter Bobby Lashley during training at American Top Team April 15. Slott is a global operations assistant operations sergeant with the U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command...

Former World Wrestling Entertainment fighter Bobby Lashley puts Sgt. John Kauker in a body triangle during an offsite physical training activity on April 15. Kauker is a Global Satellite Communication noncommissioned officer with the U.S. Army Space ...

Professional mixed martial arts fighter Bobby Lashley participates in Army Combative training with Sgt. John Kauker on April 15. Kauker is a Global Satellite Communication noncommissioned officer with the U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command/A...

AURORA, COLO.- Soldiers from U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command/Army Forces Strategic Command Headquarters and Headquarters Company trained with former World Wrestling Entertainment star Bobby Lashley at American Top Team on April 15. The Soldiers were there as part of an off-site physical training activity.

"I like to give my Soldiers opportunities like this to help boost morale and give them a different aspect of cardio respiratory training and to give them a chance to learn from a MMA (mixed martial arts) fighter and former WWE Hardcore Champion," said Sgt. 1st Class George T. Hartwell, noncommissioned officer in charge of the USASMDC/ARSTRAT operations center.

Lashley put the Soldiers through a cardio routine, including circuit training, and then gave them the opportunity to try Army Combatives moves on the mat. Lashley doesn't usually train Soldiers at his gym, and opened this opportunity especially to the members of the USASMDC/ARTRAT operations center Soldiers.

"Every day, every class, every person, I do something different. I don't usually train Soldiers," Lashley said. "But this class is no different than something I'd put an aspiring fighter through. Training is training. But I used to be a Soldier. I like to help out when I can."

About 10 Soldiers participated in the full class, with a few willing take on Lashley.

"I couldn't get a grip around his neck," said Sgt. Erik Slott, global operations/ assistant operations sergeant. Every two to three weeks Hartwell gives his Soldiers the opportunity to do an offsite physical training session that focuses on different aspects of cardio, weight lifting and nutritional information.

Lashley was a professional wrestler from 2004 to 2008, where he participated in Smackdown and he took home the title of Extreme Elimination Chamber champion. He was also selected by Donald Trump to represent him in Battle of the Billionaires. He also worked with Trump in Wrestlemania 23 Hair vs. Hair challenge, where he and Trump shaved his opponent's head after Lashley defeated him. Lashley currently owns American Top Team gym in Aurora, Colo., and has his own nutrition line, Lashley Performance.