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Popular workout creator inspires, tires USAFE Airmen

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Daryl Knee
  • 52nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany --  The creator of the workout program P90X taught Airmen within U.S. Air Forces in Europe an exercise routine at the Skelton Memorial Fitness Center here Oct. 8.

Tony Horton shared his philosophies throughout Europe as part of an Armed Forces Entertainment tour to military installations in Italy, The Netherlands, Germany, Kosovo and the United Kingdom.

People cannot predict the future, he said. There is no way to tell what will happen tomorrow. However, what people can control is how, and how often, they move and what they eat.

He talked with the crowd of nearly 100 Airmen about the number of ingredients found in a processed potato chip, which is more than 40. He then asked how many ingredients are present inside of a blueberry. A raspberry. Salmon.

"Exercise equals fitness," he said. "Food equals health. If a person wants to be fit and healthy, he or she has to do both."

The meaning behind working out should not be short-term goals, like fitting into a smaller outfit size for a social activity, he said. Horton's vision is for people to understand that getting fit is a lifestyle change.

"Exercise and clean food together is the fountain of youth," he continued. "Everything else is a sham. When I exercise today, my fitness improves today. I don't have to wait for that."

People striving to be fit and healthy should work out from five to seven times per week, he said. Anything less than that may yield no change.

"Working out two days a week is a little like falling down a set of stairs," he said with a laugh. "Yeah, you end up sore, but you never see the lasting results that you do if you work out more days on than off.

"Some people know right from wrong," he continued. "They have all the facts and information inside their head, but they just choose the wrong way. You have to find a real, meaningful reason behind your workout goals."

Horton said his specific workout draws a diverse crowd because the exercise sequences contain variety and a touch of humor. Exercise is hard enough as it is - why not make it fun, too?

"It was definitely painful," said Tech. Sgt. James Stevens, 52nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron and participant of the workout session. "The workout was also very helpful -- I was able to bring some of his teachings back to my family. I don't really have a problem with my fitness, but I learned a few things about being healthy, especially in regards to diet and eating."

Tony Horton said if he could just get through to one Airman, he would be happy

"It doesn't matter if hundreds of Airmen show up to the workout," he said. "As long as one Airman realizes the importance of fitness and health, the trip would all be worth it."

During the Europe trip, Horton taught two workouts here out of 13 at the seven visited military installations. More than 150 Saber Airmen participated. For more information about other upcoming Armed Forces Entertainment tours, visit http://www.armedforcesentertainment.com.