Horton Vows to Make Troops 'Fit to Fight'

Obesity in the military has become a national security issue, fitness trainer Tony Horton said at a Club luncheon July 16, describing his work with military leaders to reduce the rate, which has tripled in the past few years.

Horton, who is the marshal for the NPC's 5K race on July 17, discussed his plans to implement a “functional fitness” program in order to improve the health of the military.

He said he has been working closely with military leadership to develop a multi-dimensional approach to fitness that will involve elements of his top-selling P90X system of muscle confusion, including cardio, weight lifting and yoga.

“The inclusion of yoga in military training seems a bit alien,” he said, but it's necessary match "the demand of modern warfare” and make soldiers “fit to fight.”

Referencing First Lady Michelle Obama’s "Let's Move" program for children, Horton said there's also a need for workout programs in education.

“How healthy are our future recruits?” he asked. The country needs "well-designed, low-cost fitness programs" for both children and military personnel.

Horton said three things are necessary for anyone to have a successful workout anywhere and any time: flat ground, gravity and desire.

He said he will apply those principles to his next endeavor, creating a workout plan for disabled veterans. He said he is working with military leadership around the globe to not only continue to develop workouts for able-bodied troops, but also create “modified wheelchair workouts,” for those injured in the line of duty.

Following his talk, Horton became the first luncheon speaker to conduct a workout in Club history. He instructed the audience members to perform moves such as one-legged speed squats and the “Mary Catherine,” which mimics the popular Saturday Night Live character’s actions.

“If the entire military did (these workouts), 5,000 companies would go bankrupt,” he said.

-- Tim Young, [email protected]