Blood, sweat and PT score

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Joseph A. Pagán Jr.
  • 2nd Bomb Wing Public Affairs
BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, LA. --  Blood trickles from his lip. Sweat runs down his forehead barely disrupting his vision. His heart rate is steady even though he just finished three vigorous five-minute rounds of Mixed Martial Arts.

A different form of physical fitness is taking the military by storm. It combines strength, flexibility and resilience.

"I've been training Muay Thai and MMA at Tankhead Fight Club for a month, and my fitness has improved dramatically," said Airman 1st Class Justin Fisher, 26th Operation Weather Squadron. "I feel great."

While many consider mixed martial arts to be a violent sport, Fisher believes it's the next best thing to learning combative skills, self defense and most importantly improving physical training scores.

"MMA is not your typical way to PT," Fisher said. "Everything we do is a full body work out."

Most exercises inside Tankhead require precise movements from head to toe, he added. Slamming a sledge hammer on an over-sized tire, jumping rope and a basic cross-punch are a few of the many workouts the coaches have trainees do.

While MMA is a way to get fit, the Air Force considers the sport to be a high-risk activity and take many precautions when allowing Airmen to participate in combatives training.

"High-risk activities are activities having a higher potential for personal injury due to the level of competition, speed, risk or skills needed and requiring greater agility, stamina and dexterity," said Master Sgt. Stacey Beckwith, 2nd Bomb Wing Ground Safety superintendent. "Members are to inform their supervisors if they are planning on participating in these types of activities. Supervisors are encouraged to establish an off-duty High-risk Activities Program to ensure personnel participating, or planning to participate, take appropriate safety measures to reduce the likelihood of involvement in a mishap or injury."

While training, all students are required to wear proper safety equipment such as groin and shin guards, head gear, hand wraps and a mouth piece.

"I take precautions necessary for being an active-duty military member," Fisher said. "The coaching staff also has the best interest in keeping us protected and injury free."

They understand that most people have a job and family outside of the gym and do not want to effect their careers, said Fisher.

Not everyone who trains has to step into the octagon and fight; they can attend the gym just to improve their overall fitness.

MMA is one of many options to improve fitness levels to meet and exceed Air Force standards. With continuous training and determination not only can you win in the octagon, but increasing your PT scores will be a victory for the U.S. Air Force.