Fitness Instructor Takes PT to Another Level
Master Chief Kyuuca-Ali Simpson pushes his Hawaii Sailors further with Total Body Fit.
10 September 2015
With speakers blasting the latest hip tunes in the early morning at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, one certified fitness instructor is taking Navy physical training (PT) to another level. But this is no ordinary fitness instructor.
He is also the senior enlisted leader at National Security Agency/Central Security Service (NSA/CSS) Hawaii and his name is Master Chief Kyuuca-Ali Simpson.
"I need those knees waist high," Simpson yelled out to the crowd of more than 300 enthusiastic Sailors as sweat poured down their faces, keeping up with his every command.
Staying motivated and engaged for command PT sessions can be difficult at the best of times and a true chore many days. Simpson noticed this and started a program that has not only been popular but also has shown results.
Simpson runs his "total body fit" session at 6 a.m. every Friday. The location alternates every other Friday between Ward Field and the Kunia softball field.
"Getting young people to PT and enjoy it can be a challenge, so you have to engage them with what they relate to, and a big part of that is the music and providing them a program that is fun," said Simpson.
Simpson started his total body fit program five years ago while aboard the USS George Washington (CVN 73). With the departure of the FIT Boss, he took over the fitness program and his total body fit program was an instant success. The FIT Boss is the physical fitness leader aboard a carrier.
"People were losing between 30 and 40 pounds, getting and staying off of the fitness enhancement program, and that's when I realized I had something that worked," Simpson said.
Since transferring to NSA Hawaii, his total body fit program has been a huge success. The program is highly supported by his chain of command and offers a different approach to standard Navy PT.
He routinely has Sailors from various ships and other commands in attendance. His PT sessions average between 200-350 people, and what makes that number even more astonishing is that the program is completely voluntarily. Sailors are not required to attend. They are there because they want to be.
Sailors have responded with enthusiasm and a renewed attitude toward fitness.
"The program is great. I wish I could do it every week. I am transferring to become a recruit division commander at boot camp and will be getting with the master chief to provide me a program to take with me," said Cryptologic Technician (Technical) 1st Class Kelly Rixie.
Every service member understands the need and value of working out and staying fit. According to the Sailors involved, total body fit gives them the motivation and the drive to achieve their fitness goals, with new ideas and fresh activities. The unit as a whole has seen the changes in fitness levels, and a renewed attitude toward command physical training, all while building esprit de corps and a sense of camaraderie.
"His program has changed the culture of the command. People are excited and want to come and PT instead of dreading Navy PT," said Senior Chief Cryptologic Technician (Maintenance) Chris Brown.