56th LRS improves PT test scores with CrossFit

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Melanie Holochwost
  • 56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --  Three months ago, three Airmen from the 56th Logistics Readiness Squadron started working out at CrossFit Luke in an attempt to improve their physical fitness test scores.

Tech. Sgt. Angel Cain, 56th LRS Equipment Accountability Element NCO-in-charge, Senior Airmen Lasey Murphy, 56th LRS command support staff, and Staff Sgt. Jeannie Soto, 56th LRS Material Management craftsman, all succeeded with improvements between two and seven points on their last tests.

Sherri Biringer, 56th Force Support Squadron CrossFit supervisor, said she believes everyone can succeed with CrossFit, especially Airmen who struggle on their physical fitness tests, so she came up with a program to help. The 56th LRS and 56th
Operations Support Squadron both took advantage of it and saw positive results.

Staff Sgt. Jeannie Soto said pushups and sit-ups were her weakest areas before starting CrossFit in March.

"I went to CrossFit four times a week for just a few months and I definitely got a lot stronger," she said. "I added 23 correct push-ups and 25 sit-ups to my count since my last test, and I passed this time with an 89.75 percent score."

Sergeant Soto said she also lost weight and inches and will keep CrossFit in her workout schedule.

"CrossFit motivates me so much more than regular workouts," she said. "I lost 12 pounds and several inches off my waist. I love the fact that the workout-of-the-day is always different and challenging."

Second Lt. Daniel Lim, 56th LRS Deployment Distribution Flight officer-in-charge, said Sergeant Cain dropped about a minute and a half off of her run time.

"She went from a 16 minute and 58 second to a 15 minute and 32 second mile-and-a-half time," he said. "She improved her score from a 76.25 to an 83.75."

Lieutenant Lim said he is glad he sent these Airmen to CrossFit.

"Ms. Biringer worked with each of them on an individual basis and stressed proper form on pushups and sit-ups," he said. "As a result, not only did they improve their recent test scores, but they are now prepared to perform under the new, stricter testing standards that take effect in July."

For more CrossFit information, call (623) 856-6241.