Base combatives class continues

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Melanie Holochwost
  • 56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --  The hand-to-hand combative class is now offered to anyone interested in attending 6 to 7:30 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays at the Combat PT Center.

According to Staff Sgt. Jesus Artesi, 56th Medical Support Squadron information technology specialist and class instructor, taking the hand-to-hand combative class is a great way to exercise as a unit or individually.

"There is a huge emphasis on team building," he said. "The purpose is to motivate and push everyone to do well and accomplish everything as a team."

Sergeant Artesi said the class is always 90 minutes long, but the exercises and routines vary, so it stays interesting.

"The classes begin with team exercises like high crawl, low crawl, bear crawl, crab walk and lunges where all members need to stay in line with each other," Sergeant Artesi said. "If the instructors believe the line isn't together, the team will need to perform a punishment exercise."

Next, the instructors teach hand-to-hand combative technique.

"We pair up class members up who are similar in size," he said. "We demonstrate combative moves incorporating jujitsu and other forms of martial arts. Then, they practice the moves on each other."

The final section of the class is body hardening.

"The class members punch and kick each other in a controlled manner," Sergeant Artesi said. "In this section of the class, they work on proper hitting and kicking form and their bodies get used to being hit."

For those interested in attending it is recommended to bring a mouth piece and water.

For more information, call the fitness center at 623-856-6241.