Trial training program under way

Air Commandos at Cannon Air Force Base are feeling the burn as they participate in a trial physical training program mandated by the Air Force Medical Operations Agency.

This eight week program, run by the Health and Wellness Center, involves a healthy amount of running and circuit training. In order to have the most significant impact, the Airmen chosen to take part in the program were selected because of their squadron or flight's overall PT scores.

U.S. Air Force photo: Airman 1st Class Ericka Engblom

Participants in a trial physical training program sprint down the track during a workout with the Health and Wellness Center at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M., Sept. 12, 2012. The HAWC PT program is designed to help individuals advance their overall fitness and improve their score on the Air Force PT test. CAPTION

Participants in Cannon's HAWC PT run three days a week and do high intensity interval training two days a week.

Tuesday and Thursday are low impact aerobic days, said Anthony Cook, 27th Special Operations Aerospace Medicine Squadron, HAWC exercise psychologist.

A big fan of circuit training, Cook has Airmen doing exercises such as rowing machine sprints, workouts for upper back and legs, as well as the fitness test standard pushups and sit-ups. He also incorperates a mixture of four to five exercises with a cardiovascular portion that changes each week.

"We did a pretest, a midterm test and a post-term test to see how scores improved," said Cook. "This program is going to be successful — no doubt about it. When someone who hasn't been working out consistently is made to exercise five days a week, their fitness levels are going to improve and their runtimes are going to get better.

"Senior Airman Alan Jackson, 27th Special Operation Aircraft Maintenance Squadron combat oriented supply operations journeyman, has been taking part in HAWC PT for six weeks and has seen much improvement in his physical health.

"I have lost about nine pounds in little over a month," he said. "I can breathe better and I feel better. I used to have trouble motivating myself to run four laps around the track without stopping. Now I can run on average 10-12 laps with no breaks in about 20-22 minutes and I'm only getting better on laps and time as I go.

"Cook hopes to continue using this program in the future to ensure all Airmen within the 27th Special Operations Wing are fit to fight.

To learn more about HAWC PT please call 784-1004.