Lt. Col. Michael Moffett, Director of MECEP Prep, is always looking for new and challenging ways to train his Marines. MECEP stands for Marine Enlisted Commissioning Education Program. The summer Prep School is held at the Marine Base in San Diego and features 90 top enlisted Marines selected to become officers.

As an attendee at the IDEA Convention in San Diego in early July, I was excited about the opportunity to offer a non-traditional work-out session to these top Marines. I was told my class can be pretty challenging, so I thought this would be a great way to see for myself. Knowing that these are some of the fittest men and women in the country, I gave some thought as to what would work. As the Marines are known for boot camp training, I worked up something different - a booty kickin' class using the body bars.

The format was focused on endurance, non-stop reps with slow controlled movements at top form. We started off with squats then added functional training utilizing the body bar.

I love the body bar. It is a very versatile and time efficient piece of equipment. I was able to borrow 185 bars for this session. Since they weighed only 12 lbs. each, I doubled up and had everyone do the same, which was perfect for the Marines. It was definitely challenging for them to stay with the reps at top form. Towards the end, they were dropping bars due to fatigue. Like I said, I also was using two bars, and I kept going.

People asked me if I was nervous to get in front of 90 Marines while trying to challenge them. At first, I was. However, once I got started I got into it! Feeding off the energy and setting your mind to it, you can do anything. It was great to teach a class to such a fit group! It was awesome. Plus, I was the instructor... you bet I was not going to drop the bar!

SEE PICTURES OF THE CLASS!!

Here is a quote from one of the sergeants.

"The alternative fitness session with Suzy Santay was very challenging and unlike any of the previous physical training we'd experienced with our MECEP prep Marines. Suzy Santay defiantly worked out our muscles in new ways. Although we pride ourselves on being tough and in top physical condition, we were pretty humbled after using the body bars for 75 minutes. Great overall workout!" - Major Aaron Shelly, MECEP prep Executive officer, Navel Academy Graduate