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Ops chief spins way to better health

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class David Dobrydney
  • 379th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
SOUTHWEST ASIA --  By day, Chief Master Sgt. Lorenzo Anastasie is busy as the group superintendent of the 379th Expeditionary Operations Group, advising the group commander on enlisted matters and coordinating with the squadrons that fall under the group, among other duties.

On Monday, Tuesday and Thursday nights, however, he is a fitness instructor at the Blatchford-Preston Complex Fitness Center helping base servicemembers spin their way to better health.

In basic terms, spinning is pedaling stationary exercise bikes. However, varying levels of resistance and speed are what makes the workout effective. Chief Anastasie said that students can burn more calories during a spinning workout than in aerobics or basic jogging.

"Some people can't run because they have bad knees or bad ankles," Chief Anastasie said. "[Spinning is] one of the best cardiovascular exercises out there because it keeps you from pounding on the ground."

For those who are recovering from leg injuries, Chief Anastasie said spin classes can provide the type of exercise needed to maintain weight loss or increase lung capacity.

Chief Anastasie speaks from experience. He said a knee injury forced him to find another way to 'get his cardio on.' "I tried aerobics for a while, but I was still pounding on my legs and knees," he said. Then his base fitness center started offering spin classes, but had few instructors. "I said, 'you know what, I'll give it a try,'" he said, and became certified as an instructor. He has now been teaching spin classes for seven years.

Deployed here from Robins Air Force Base, Ga., Chief Anastasie became an instructor at the BPC Fitness Center a month after his arrival, following the departure of another teacher.

When he first started teaching, Chief Anastasie had only two to three students at each session. The class has grown in popularity to the point where students now have trouble finding a seat. "People now have to call in the day of the class to reserve a spot. About ten minutes after reservations open up, all the bikes are booked," Chief Anastasie said. "No other class on base has that problem."

However, high demand is a problem Chief Anastasie is happy to have. He also enjoys the fact that in this deployed environment, members from all services attend the classes. "We are one team, one fight," he said.

Citing the recent changes to Air Force regulations mandating biannual fitness testing, Chief Anastasie said that being fit is more important than ever, adding that physical well-being can stimulate benefits in other areas.

"Being physically fit works out on mental capacity as well," he said. "If you're a couch potato just sitting around, you're not feeling good and you won't have the energy you need."

Servicemembers looking for that extra energy can find it while spinning toward better health in one of Chief Anastasie's classes.