Sailors aboard the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) took part in a special workout in honor of American independence, June 30.

The "Independence Day Challenge" is a specially designed workout centered around doing repetitions based on the date of American independence from Great Britain. The workout was held in the ship's hangar bay and consisted of seven rounds of four power cleans, 17 pushups, and then a final round of 38 kettle bell thrusts and 241 double-unders.

"It's a 4th of July workout, even though it's June 30th," said Justin Vigil, GHWB's fit boss. "I found the setup for it online and adjusted it a little bit. It's a nice way to celebrate the holiday and get in a workout."

Sailors of all different ranks and skillsets came out and took part in the event, which included weight lifting, jump rope, pushups and squats.

"We're going to use the date to do the number of events and cycles," said Air Traffic Controller 1st Class Joshua Height. "We have all kinds of things, jump rope, lifts, all that good stuff. It's all to celebrate our independence 241 years ago."

Vigil added that the event served as a way to remember the heroic battles for freedom fought by America's founders, while staying fit and improving shipboard morale.

"I see a lot of parallels," said Vigil. "You look at what they were doing, fighting for revolution and freedom, and here we are doing the very same thing, not just for us but for other people as well. It's a nice way to help people both relax and get away from work, but also stay healthy and fit. It's a way to blow off steam. After this, we're going to get a good brunch and have a great day."

Height reflected on what it means to be serving on a forward deployed American warship and the American spirit of the event.

"It feels great being out here, knowing that I'm making the country safe for my family. My wife and kids are back home and it's hard to be away from them, but it's good to be out here, to be an American, and to be spreading our independence."

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