San Diego -- In today’s society, gyms are becoming increasingly abundant. Despite their abundance, it would be hard to find a gym that utilizes log exercises.
Despite the training being of a non-orthodox nature, log drills provided unique benefits for recruits of Company D, 1st Recruit Training Battalion, aboard Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego March 5.
“It challenges their endurance, strength, mental toughness and forces them to work as a team,” said Sgt. Justin R. Urbany, Co. D, Plt. 1066, 1st RTBn.
Their training started with stretching and an approximately half-mile jog. Once their warm – up was completed, recruits learned how to properly grip and lift the logs and worked in groups of 10.
To get into step with one another recruits yelled, “Left, right! Left, right! Left, right!” With each chant, recruits attempted to step in unison in order to smoothly carry their logs to their destinations.
Differences in recruits’ height and arm length make the log unbalanced if no adjustments are made. Recruits overcome this hurdle by grouping taller and shorter recruits together. Once organized and in step with one another, the load is easier for recruits to carry.
Drill instructors stressed teamwork to recruits and if a recruit appeared he wasn’t helping his team he was corrected immediately. Recruits were tasked with carrying their log to multiple exercise locations. Once at their destination, exercises completed such as log bicep curls, log squats and log side benders.
As the exercises continued, recruits groaned and scrunched their faces with such intensity it appeared some thought it might help give energy.
Ferguson explained he believes being pushed is a good thing not only in recruit training but in the gym and in the office.
“Ideally, if everyone does their part it shouldn’t be that bad,” said Recruit Blake A. Ferguson, Platoon 1062, Co. D, 1st RTBn. “But if they’re not, you have to pick up (the slack) for them and get them to push.”
Words of encouragement between recruits were exchanged throughout the exercise. Some recruits accredited their backgrounds in sports to their natural ability at working together.
“My high school baseball team went to the state championship; I’m used to working as a team for a common goal,” said Recruit Corey L. Brazile, Plt. 1062, Co. D, 1st RTBn.
If having to carry an approximately 250-pound log for a half mile challenged recruits, various exercises intertwined in the training, such as log bicep curls, pushed many recruits to their physical limits.
“I expected it to be hard but I wasn’t expecting it to be that difficult,” said Brazile.