Alpha Warrior comes to Pete

Published May 22, 2017
By Steve Kotecki
21st Space Wing

PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- White chalk dust floating through the air, the glint of sunlight hitting the swinging chains, the smell of sweat, the grunts of exertion centering around an enormous metal cage. No, this isn’t some ancient gladiatorial battle ground, it’s the Alpha Warrior battle rig.

Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado, hosted an Alpha Warrior event on May 13, 2017. The event included celebrities, and competition.
Alpha Warrior is part of a new initiative by the Air Force to develop a new type of functional fitness for Airmen.

The Battle Rig tour started April 18, 2017 at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida and is touring Air Force bases across the country in an effort to get as many Airmen involved as possible.

The tour also includes notable American Ninja Warrior contestants that show Airmen the ropes of the battle rig, and offer tips and encouragement to completing for the fastest time.

Kacy Catanzaro, the first female to qualify for the finals of American Ninja Warrior and the first woman to complete a city finals course, was here to show off her warrior prowess and answer questions.

“We’re really excited to be working with the Air Force,” Catanzaro said. “Everybody can do the course, it brings in functional fitness and fun. It gives them opportunity to do things they might not normally do and breaking the boring routine of the gym.”

Alpha Warrior is built to incorporate the four pillars of Air Force functional fitness; physical, mental, spiritual, and social.

While the physical, mental and social aspects of the course are easy to see the spiritual side might not be as readily apparent.

“The course is helpful for overcoming obstacles in life in general,” said Karsten Williams, Alpha warrior representative and American Ninja Warrior competitor. “It gives you a focus and determination, it takes a lot of faith to preserver hard times.”

Alpha Warrior also brought a kids course allowing them a new way to have fun outside and be fit. It allows them to move more, build confidence and strength in themselves as they maneuver through the obstacles, said Williams.

The Alpha Warrior battle rig will stay on Peterson AFB as a permanent outdoor exercise equipment. The base safety office is still determining exactly how Airmen will be able to best utilize the battle rig, but it is scheduled to be open for general use in the coming weeks. Check in with the front desk at the Fitness Center for more details.