MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII -- Sweat covered the floor and dubstep music coursed through the bodies of all participants in the gymnasium during the High Intensity Circuit training class at the Semper Fit Center gym, July 9, 2013. Service members, dependents and other eligible participants attended the hour-long class.
Before the class began the instructor, Michelle Lee Dominique, went through the entire circuit, demonstrating each exercise. The 30-exercise circuit was set up around half of the basketball court.
“This class is my baby,” Dominique passionately said. “It works well and works best when added to a daily workout routine.”
When told to start, the participants began the exercises at their designated stations. Each exercise was only done for one minute but that didn’t cut down the intensity of the workouts. It was a continuous exercise and when time was up, they moved to the next exercise.
“If you’re looking for a challenge, this is that class,” said Brandi Falcon, a class participant. “It’s a total body workout that will wear you out.”
Throughout the class, Dominique assisted and re-demonstrated exercises to individual participants. She also ran around the stations to give advice, encouragement and additional exercise examples. She continued to pushed people to their limits yet cheered them on with her energetic personality.
“She’s very motivating,” Falcon said of the instructor. “She helps with your technique or if you don’t remember how to do an exercise. She helps you do it properly.”
The class took simple, well-known exercises and gave them a twist. Some of the exercises required equipment like kettle bells and medicine balls. Participants were given a one-minute break halfway through the class, so they could drink water and catch their breath.
“I love the classes,” said Eden Herrera, a class participant. “It switches things up and gives you a good sweat. I’ve seen a lot of improvement.”
The class is every Tuesday and Thursday at 11:30 a.m. in the gym at Semper Fit.