U.S. Forces Fitness

Story by Michael Strasser Fort Drum Garrison Public Affairs FORT DRUM, N.Y.  --  “Add four, add four, keep pushing, keep pushing.” “Adding four” meant increasing the resistance on the spin bike, giving it the feel of pedaling up a hill. “Pushing it” were the 20 Soldiers hovering over their bikes during the hourlong spin class on Oct. 15, led by Staff Sgt. Stacy Sanchez, from Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (LI). Spinning is a cardiovascular workout that focuses on lower-body strength development by engaging the muscles from the glutes down to the ankles. It also uses core and back muscles to stabilize the body during the exercise. The health benefits include strengthening the heart muscles and improving the lungs’ ability to supply oxygenated blood to the muscles. Sanchez has been instructing the class since late September, twice weekly, as a cardio cross-training option for Soldiers across the 10th Mountain Di...

Story by Michael Strasser Fort Drum Garrison Public Affairs Dozens of Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, were pulling weighted sleds, running with kettlebells and cranking out deadlifts at the gym one recent frosty morning at Fort Drum. This is nothing new or particularly eye-catching at Atkins Functional Fitness Facility where such activity is common, and patrons can rope climb, flip tires and row to their heart’s content. What was different was their reason why. As Soldiers from across the 10th Mountain Division (LI) condition themselves for the new Army Combat Fitness Test, many are finding the space at Atkins to be the best training grounds until the snow melts and temperatures rise above freezing. “With our training schedule and deployments, we are trying to do what we can now so everyone can be successful on the ACFT,” said Staff Sgt. Sergio Castillo, with B Company, 1st Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat...

Story by Capt. Ed Robles 1st Brigade Combat Team,10th Mountain Division (LI) FORT DRUM, N.Y. (Oct 8, 2018) -- Four 1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division Soldiers represented the “Mountain Warriors” in the Army Ten-Miler with their Fort Drum teammates in the Washington, D.C classic, Sunday.  The humid day fueled competitive grit in these infantry brigade Soldiers who are known for their “Find a Way or Make One” motto and “Ready Now” spirit. After the run, Army Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Milley, who is a former 10th MTN DIV and Fort Drum Commanding General, invited the Fort Drum team to his home and celebrated the occasion. “I had a great time and I’m very happy I had the opportunity to run in Washington, D.C.,” said Capt. Le Mar Baliwag, Support Operations Officer, 10th Brigade Support Battalion, 1BCT. “General Milley gave us a grand tour and that was really awesome.” Each of the runners drew their inspiration, motivation and drive from a different source. “A...

Story by Michael Strasser Fort Drum Garrison Public Affairs FORT DRUM, N.Y. - Eighteen Soldiers from across the 10th Mountain Division (LI) earned their spots on this year’s Fort Drum Ten-Miler Team and, having logged in several weeks of training, are ready to represent at the 34th Army Ten-Miler, Oct. 7, in Washington, D.C. “We have had just over a month of official practices, but in that short time we’ve built a great team atmosphere,” said 1st Lt. Sean Nestor, team coach and officer in charge. “It’s great to see them all build such a strong sense of camaraderie and push one another to improve.” Team members have been meeting during PT hours during the week and on Sundays. Nestor said that he modeled the training plan largely after what his coach implemented at George Mason University. A typical week included two fast-paced, interval-styled workouts to accustom team members to running at a Ten-Miler race pace or faster. Team members were introduced to the “Michigan” – a ...