A man in a dress shirt, khakis and a tie performs a deadlift while Marines gather around and applaud during a strength training event at a base gym.

Jerry Bosken, deputy director of Marine and Family Programming, deadlifts 405 pounds at the opening of the Warrior Athlete Readiness and Resilience Center at Camp Fuji, Japan, March 31, 2026. (Jonathan Baez/Stars and Stripes)

CAMP FUJI, Japan — Two former NFL players and about six Marines ran through a series of exercises here Tuesday, an inaugural workout for a new facility at the Marine Corps’ primary training facility in Japan.

About 45 people, including about two dozen Marines, crowded into a recently renovated recreational bay at CATC Camp Fuji for the grand opening of the Warrior Athlete Readiness and Resilience Center.

Alongside traditional equipment such as free weights and stationary bikes, the facility features an open layout with artificial turf for ground-based exercises like sprints, agility training and sled work.

The facility — part of the Corps’ WARR program — is designed around “modern strength and conditioning modalities and practices” and modeled after professional and collegiate athletic facilities for “combat ready training,” Bud Wood, athletic director for the Marine Corps’ Semper Fit athletic program, said at the ceremony.

For the base, which typically serves as a temporary training facility for Marines and other service members, the new facility offers additional space for fitness in a semi-outdoor environment, said executive officer Maj. Kevin Sullivan.

“I think this is a great opportunity for the Marines get some outdoor, open-air exercises,” he said after the ceremony. “There’s a lot of functional fitness room here, more so here than in the existing gym, and I think this will be a big hit for some of the athletes.”

A man pushes a weighted sled as U.S. Marines watch during a fitness training session inside a gym.

Former NFL player Emmanuel “Manny” Arceneaux demonstrates proper techniques at the opening of the Warrior Athlete Readiness and Resilience Center at Camp Fuji, Japan, March 31, 2026. (Jonathan Baez/Stars and Stripes)

U.S. Marines follow a guest instructor through warm‑up movements during a group workout on artificial turf inside a fitness facility.

Former NFL player Emmanuel “Manny” Arceneaux warms up with Marines at the opening of the Warrior Athlete Readiness and Resilience Center at Camp Fuji, Japan, March 31, 2026. (Jonathan Baez/Stars and Stripes)

A man lifts a loaded barbell as Marines cheer during a strength training demonstration inside the gym.

Former NFL player Emmanuel “Manny” Arceneaux deadlifts at the new Warrior Athlete Readiness and Resilience Center at Camp Fuji, Japan, March 31, 2026. (Jonathan Baez/Stars and Stripes)

The former NFL players — Emmanuel “Manny” Arceneaux and Derrick Martin — attended as part of Arceneaux’s Manny Athletic Development program. The pair led a handful of Marines through NFL-style workouts after the ceremony.

Arceneaux, who played for the NFL and Canadian Football League, said he wanted to encourage service members to remain active even after they return to civilian life.

“It’s kind of hand in hand. Lace up the cleats, lace up the boots. Put on the uniform, put on the uniform,” he said after the ceremony. “But at some point, that uniform comes off, those boots come off, and you hit that next level of life.”

Sgt. Andres Almonte, the base’s postal chief, said he was particularly excited for the turf’s potential for novel workouts — and by the chance to go toe-to-toe with former professional athletes.

“I tried to get over there and pull some weight [with the players],” he said. “I definitely appreciate them coming out from the States; it’s a far flight.”