Global Gossip

Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMDs) were found in Camp Taji, Iraq.

But we’re not talking about nuclear weapons. We’re talking about explosive quads, massive traps, and monstrous biceps. On May 25, 2008, Camp Taji held its first Bodybuilding, Hard body, and Fitness/Figure competition. While members of the Armed Forces are fighting the war against terrorism, they still manage to find the time to stay in immaculate physical condition. There were a total of 20 competitors: ten for bodybuilding, four for fitness, and six for hard body.

The first display of WMDs was the hard body competition. Armed with two massive boulders for shoulders, Specialist Chapman took first place. This event was judged solely on the contestant’s upper body. Chapman was awaiting a flight home for rest and relaxation, and due to harsh weather conditions he was unable to leave for home. He figured while waiting for a flight, he might as well compete! When Chapman showed his most muscular pose, the crowd cheered loudly. USARMY Cavalry Scout William Chadly Hill wasn’t too far behind, winning second place. He can’t wait to compete in the next show.

Typically when women compete in figure or fitness they wear posing suits. The female/figure contestants did a great job of improvising a suit. With creativity, each female contestant stepped out on stage looking her best while performing each quarter turn. Mechanic Specialist Amber Gil won first place for figure/fitness.

The bodybuilding competition was the last event in the show and by far the most competitive. Following the individual performances, all ten soldiers came on stage for the pose down. This was the first competition for USARMY Ranger and Sniper Staff Sergeant Tyrel Tierney. After winning the title of Mr. Taji, he has the determination and ambition to compete in more shows.  Tierney has hopes of competing in NPC sanctioned events when he returns home from Iraq. USARMY Air Traffic Controller Sergeant First Class Jeff Herzog won second place. He is a veteran competitor from Oahu, Hawaii who has competed in The Paradise Cup 2006 and the Armed Forces Bodybuilding Hawaii 2007.

The day after the show the gyms were overflowing on the base. We are all hoping for even more competitors for the next show. All the competitors were incredibly grateful for the support provided by Bodybuilding.com. The soldiers enjoyed the gifts and souvenirs they provided. Soldiers left the show with towels, t-shirts, sample supplements, drink bottles, and more from the military-friendly site! Stay tuned for the next event, November 23rd, 2008, with hopes of an even bigger display of our Armed Forces Weapons of Mass Destruction.

– Kelly Dean

*Photos from the show are provided by Army Sergeant Nicole Brown, who will be competing in the next show. (Coming soon!)

Top 3 Results:

Bodybuilding
1. Tyrel Tierney
2. Jeff Herzog
3. Hiram Barbosa

Fitness
1. Amber Gil
2. Christiana Martinez
3. Yolanda Middleton

Hardbody
1. Chapman
2. William Chad Hill
3. Alexander Granderson

Best Poser
Jeremias Lopez

I thought this week I would give a little information on this little test that the Army has deemed capable enough to test how physically fit their soldiers can be in a combat environment. It’s a simple series of events starting off with the push-up, an exercise that tests the strength and endurance of the upper body. The second event is the sit-up, which tests the abdominal strength and endurance. After these two events you will usually be given a 10-15 minute break before you begin the third and final event which is a 2 mile run. This event is also the only one which has alternate events in case you are not capable to run. These events include an 800 meter swim, 2.5 mile bike ride, and a 2 mile walking event. There is a chart which the Army goes by that is made up by your age, I have added the link below if you would like to take a gander.

http://usmilitary.about.com/od/army/a/afpt.htm

Now onto what this article is really about. I know most people will say the best way to train for this is to just do it but after awhile the push-up just gets kinda boring. Since I have longer arms I can only go down as far as the floor then back up which  doesn’t leave much room for an extended stretch so since I am stuck in the desert I decided to try something different. If you take a look below I added a desk, and two chairs to suspend my entire body in the air as well as elevate my feet. This not only gives my chest a great downward stretch it also helps build strength with a higher lift.

For improving my abdominal strength besides the common sit-up and crunch I like to use the beams in the roof of my building to throw in some more intense ab action, you will see from the pictures below that this might not be the most clean or best equipment but when you are out here you have to learn to use what you have. Though I didn’t get a chance to take the picture to hit the obliques I like to bring my knees up in a twisting action.

The third and final event leaves not much for ways to improve except building leg strength with a simple single fuel can leg lift which I will show after the paragraph. I do recommend using water cans but where I am at I really don’t have much of a choice. Other then that the best way to improve a run is to run.

So hopefully everyone got a little something out of this, I know it may not be much but some soldiers enjoy keeping themselves fit by any means while others prefer to waste away and coast through the service. I hope all of you have a great April Fools day and I wish everyone the best!

From here in Iraq this is SGT Greene, over and out!

Wanted to go ahead and say how excited I am to be here among others who hold personal fitness and nutrition to such a high standard. I was thinking this evening about what it is that I could express to everyone about working out while deployed, and with the Army in general, things you may or may not have known and I decided that a weekly blog would do wonders, not only would I be given the chance to show you around our location but maybe you will be able to get a feeling for what your fellow soldiers are doing on a day to day basis.

    A little about myself first so you can get to know me and maybe I can get to know a few of you out there as well. My name is Richard Greene, I’m 25 years old and have been serving with the United States Army for six years now. I have been deployed four times, better yet I have been deployed to Kuwait once and Iraq three times. As you will see from the pictures I post here with the next blog I am not a big guy, actually I am about 5′10′’, 183 pounds as of today and according to the Army I have a BF% of about 16.26%. But this write up is not about me, well this one was but the next one is going to be about soldiers staying fit in Iraq with the gyms and without. I will give you an inside look at the food we have to endure since Wal-Mart has it’s hands everywhere but Iraq I guess.

   I hope everyone had a good Easter, as for me I will be heading out now, gonna start getting the pictures ready so I can start letting all of you live in my world for awhile. If anyone out there ever has any questions please feel free to ask, you can send a message here or use my personal email address whichever is more convenient for you. I can’t want to talk to you all next week.

   From here in Iraq this is SGT Greene..over and out.