"Never Daunted" spouses get CrossFit

By 2nd Lt. Diana Worth, 84th Eng. Bn., 130th Eng. Bde., 8th TSCOctober 21, 2011

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1 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Capt. Emily Hannenberg (right), Engineer Staff Officer with the 84th Eng. Bn., leads spouses of Soldiers of the 84th Eng. Bn. in CrossFit exercises September 9 2011. The program was developed to bring fun, free and effective workout regimen to Soldie... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
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2 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Spouses of Soldiers from the 84th Eng. Bn. workout in a night of Cross Fit for Spouses, sponsored and taught by Capt. Emily Hannenberg, 84th Eng. Bn, September 9 2011. The program was developed to bring fun, free and effective workout regimen to Sold... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
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3 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Capt. Emily Hannenberg (left), Engineer Staff Officer with the 84th Eng. Bn., leads 2nd Lt. Diana Worth (right) in a CrossFit exercise September 9 2011. The program was developed to bring fun, free and effective workout regimen to Soldiers and Spouse... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

SCHOFIELD BARRACKS, Hawaii -- At 6 p.m. on a weeknight, most Soldiers and spouses would prefer to be at home, kicking their feet up and unwinding.

However, spouses from the 84th Engineer Battalion, "Never Daunted," 130th Eng. Brigade, 8th Theater Sustainment Command, can be found in Martinez Gym, here, dead-lifting weights, bear-crawling and swinging kettle bells.

These members of the Never Daunted family are participating in the battalion's CrossFit for Spouses program, an intense fitness program that emphasizes all-out circuits of functional exercises, which change from workout to workout to maximize the muscular strength and endurance of those completing exercises.

Capt. Emily Hannenberg, the battalion's training, advising and counseling officer, developed and began leading the CrossFit for Spouses program in March. Having recently earned her certification as a CrossFit trainer, she wanted to bring this fun, effective workout regimen to 84th Eng. spouses.

"I wanted to introduce the spouses to CrossFit because it is a great way to get in shape, which improves their quality of life," Hannenberg said. "I also enjoy training and mentoring, especially when it comes to fitness, so CrossFit for Spouses is a win-win situation."

Each Monday, Wednesday and Friday, the battalion's spouses and Soldiers meet to work out. They start with a warmup and progress to the workout of the day.

"I love it," said Nicole Adamson, a CrossFit for Spouses participant. "CrossFit has really gotten me in shape. It's great because it teaches you about how far you can push your limits, and it's really motivating. I love it because it teaches self-confidence, and Capt. Hannenberg is a great instructor."

With Hannenberg's CrossFit training, Adamson has achieved her goal of passing the Army Physical Fitness Test and has joined the Army. She will attend basic training soon.

"It's great to see spouses accomplish these amazing feats," Hannenberg said. "They're doing things they may have never imagined they could do, breaking their own boundaries. I would encourage everyone to try CrossFit. The benefits are innumerable."

Thanks to the CrossFit for Spouses program, 84th Eng. Bn. spouses will continue sweating, breaking boundaries and having fun.