KADENA AIR BASE, OKINAWA, Japan -- Two Marines wake up every day, long before sunrise, to make their way to Shogun Crossfit gym on Kadena Air Base. It’s here these two Marines put their bodies through intense, taxing workouts, pushing themselves to the brink of physical exhaustion.
“We push ourselves to the breaking point every time,” said Master Sgt. Chad Kiehl, the photography chief with Combat Camera, G-3/5; operations, training and plans; Marine Corps Installations Pacific-Marine Corps Base Camp Butler. “That’s the only way to get better.”
According to Gregg Glassman, a co-founder of the Crossfit brand, it is a core strength and conditioning program. A typical workout consist of a mix of aerobic exercise, body weight exercises known as calisthenics, and Olympic weight lifting which optimizes fitness through constantly varied functional movements performed at relatively high intensity.
“Every workout is something different,” said Kiehl. “It’s a new challenge every time. You’re constantly confusing your muscles. That’s what keeps me coming back for more.”
Kiehl first discovered Crossfit seven years ago as a drill instructor when a fellow Marine invited him to workout at a local Crossfit gym. Kiehl, already an avid gym goer, was originally apathetic towards the training regimen, but quickly altered his opinion after noticing a drastic change in his fitness.
“I got stronger, faster, more flexible and durable,” said Kiehl. “Not only am I a fit more athlete but also a more fit Marine.”
After moving to Okinawa, he began training with Sgt. Stephen Johnson. The two immediately began to click together and benefit from each other’s strengths and weaknesses. Johnson, the stronger of the two, admired Keihl for his exceptional endurance while Keihl felt pushed to match Johnson’s physical strength.
“(Keihl) was the perfect partner for me when I got here,” said Johnson, a combat videographer with Combat Camera. “He really pushes me to train harder and train longer.”
According to Johnson, Crossfit is what primarily brought him to Okinawa. Johnson requested to be stationed in Okinawa in order to focus on Crossfit training and saving money to open his own gym once he separates from the Marine Corps. Johnson plans to enlist the help of fellow fitness enthused Marines to help run and train in his gym.
“I’ve trained in (gyms) all over the world,” said Johnson. “I’ve learned a lot about Crossfit and I’m confident that I can be successful.”
Johnson discovered during a deployment to Afghanistan that he struggled to keep up with the infantry unit he was attached to even though he was physically fit. When he returned home from deployment he immediately began searching for ways to improve himself physically and mentally. He quickly discovered Crossfit and immediately became infatuated with the exercise regimen.
“A lot of people ask why fitness is so important in the Marine Corps,” said Johnson. “They think it’s just about staying in shape. They never get a taste of the real reason. It’s all about performance on the battlefield. Marines are combat athletes.”
Keihl and Johnson plan to compete in the Pacific region Crossfit games and earn a spot in the grand Crossfit games next summer.
According to Johnson, placing in these events will make them renowned in the Crossfit world and give them the notoriety they need to open their own gym and help other Marines become exceptional combat athletes.