Tony Horton visits Kadena for 'Ripped and Ready Tour'

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Maeson L. Elleman
  • 18th Wing Public Affairs
KADENA AIR BASE, Japan --  As part of Armed Forces Entertainment's "Ripped and Ready Tour," Tony Horton, creator of the fitness program, P90X, put on an extreme fitness clinic at Kadena's Risner Fitness Center, Jan. 29, to promote physical fitness for service members and their families.

The 90-minute workout session led more than 200 people through a series of extensive exercises and yoga techniques to build and tone the body.

According to Mr. Horton, it was important to put on the clinic because it's not only about appearing fit and healthy, but actually working hard to achieve real physical fitness.

"I think our military suffers from a lot of the same problems that the general population does," Mr. Horton added. "People are trying to be fit and healthy and they're trying to figure out ways to do that, and I think a lot of times, they're doing the wrong thing. They're using pills, potions, and processed foods to lose weight in the future, but the idea here is to be fit and strong and ready and ripped and also to make PT tests a little bit more doable."

According to Capt. Emily Newman, 18th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron flight nurse and fitness clinic participant, the clinic was challenging, but very beneficial.

"I was really excited (that Tony Horton came)," Captain Newman said. "It was very intense because he uses all these plyometrics, and a lot of body weight exercises. You think, 'oh I can lift weights, and I can do all these things,' but it can be very intense when you're just using your own body weight. I've always been pretty active, but I wanted to mix it up. It had a lot of variety to the exercises."

According to Mr. Horton, visiting military bases across the U.S., Italy, and now Japan is his way of giving back to service members serving in the U.S. military.

"I want to thank the military for all they've done," he continued. "I want to be with the troops, and just say thank you for what they do."

Mr. Horton left Kadena Jan. 30 and will continue his tour in mainland Japan.