The Rattler community is getting in shape-military style.
This past Tuesday marked the first day of Military Boot Camp at the FAMU fitness center. The six-week program is a total body workout and consists of physical fitness exercises derived from a wide variety of military programs.
FAMU ROTC, along with fitness expert Jennifer Hall, are spearheading the program, which runs on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5 -6 p.m. and is open to students, faculty and staff.
Captain Okera Anyabwile, an assistant professor of military science, said the program should be a learning experience for those who attend.
“We wanted to do something that could arouse awareness on campus,” Anyabwile said. He also said he believes that the fitness program will rebuild the relationship between the university and the ROTC program.
Anyabwile said it should show everyone what the ROTC is all about.
“We want people to see what the cadets get out of their experience and bring what we (ROTC) have to offer as far as staying in shape, being healthy and living a life of fitness,” he said.
While some members of the class were excited, others appeared a little nervous. Tauren Deas is one such student.
“I don’t know,” said Deas, a senior English major from the Bronx. “I was kind of okay with coming and checking it out, but when I saw all the men in uniform, I got kind of nervous. I hoped nobody would be yelling in my face and going straight military with me.”
For individuals who may be a little uneasy, Anyabwile assures that there is no need to worry. Despite its name, the program is friendly and challenges members of all fitness levels.
Students who do not work out often or at all can join the class as well as those who work out regularly; everyone is challenged.
Students were not the only ones found at the military boot camp. Faculty members such as Tamares Cockfield, an employee in the college of Education, was one of many university staff members who decided to give the boot camp a try.
“I work out four to five times a week,” Cockfield said. “When I found out about this, I figured I’d come see what it was all about, you know, change my workout a little bit. I always want to challenge myself.”
Members of the faculty and student body participated in a number of strength, endurance and isometric activities that included playing brief games of tag and medicine ball routines.
Tuesday was an introductory class and on Thursday, members of the class will record their height, weight and calculate their body mass index so they can keep track of their progress.
At the end of the program, members of the class can look forward to a “biggest loser” amongst other intrinsic rewards.