USS GEORGE WASHINGTON -- USS George Washington (GW) held a three-hour “PT till you Stop” physical training (PT) competition in late July.
During the competition, more than 400 sailors from all departments were challenged in kick boxing, cardio, body sculpting and military-style workouts.
“The workout lasted about two-and-a-half hours, but it felt like four hours,” said Air Traffic Controller 2nd Class Bethany Hamilton, a command fitness leader (CFL) aboard GW.
In order to eliminate participants, fitness instructors started with cardio-kickboxing and ended with difficult strength training, such as push ups.
“I have been a fitness leader for a year-and-a-half, and I was tired,” said Hamilton.
The CFLs aboard GW are trained fitness instructors that have attended a course at the Navy Environmental Health Center where they learn techniques like strength yoga and aerobics.
CFLs are also trained in injury prevention, nutrition and specific techniques for their classes to target weight loss, body strengthening and body sculpting.
More than 85 CFLs are aboard, usually one from each department and one from each division.
During the competition, the CFLs kept watch over the participating sailors, making sure they were doing the exercises properly and safely.
“After the first cardio event of the competition, the CFLs noticed not one sailor dropped out,” said Chief Air Traffic Controlman Pablo Rosado, Operations Department command fitness leader and OC division LCPO. “We knew we were in trouble.”
After the two-and-a-half hour workout session, four participants were left.
The four winners were Master Chief Storekeeper Kristina Lasher of Supply Department, Chief Legalman Therine Walz of Legal Department, Torpedoman’s Mate 1st Class Jackie Murphy and Boatswain’s Mate 3rd Class Robert Hock of Deck Department.
“This was a great morale booster for the sailors on board,” Lasher said. “Getting first place shows you can do anything you put your mind to.”
Lt. Jacqueline Pollock, GW’s command fitness boss and the command fitness leaders led a challenging, fun and thorough, meticulous orchestration, a very safe event, said Capt. Garry R. White, GW’s commanding officer, adding, “We will be doing this again.”
The first place winner was awarded a $100 gift certificate to the Navy Exchange, and the second place winner was awarded a $50 gift certificate to the Navy Exchange.
“I had this vision of a ship-wide PT competition since the beginning of our last cruise,” Rosado said. “I am so happy and thankful the event had such a good turnout.”
Photo: Sailors aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington participate in "PT Til' You Can't." The event lasted for three hours and prizes were awarded to the winners. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Ian Schoeneberg