AL DHAFRA AIR BASE, United Arab Emirates -- The ADAB Fitness Center has events scheduled daily to include various classes, intramural sports, fun runs, as well as challenges and contests to spark the competitive spirit across the base. T-shirts are handed out upon completion of some of the competitions and 5K runs, giving more than just bragging rights to those who want to show off their accomplishments.
“It’s an incentive program to allow Airmen to better themselves, to better the mission,” said Master Sgt. Jessica Lamb, 380th Expeditionary Force Support Squadron fitness center noncommissioned officer in charge.
The fitness center provides the space needed to meet individuals’ goals when they arrive to a deployment. The main gym, tactical pad and tactical sprung are loaded with free weights, cable machines and several cardio options to include stationary bicycles, treadmills, ellipticals and rowing machines. There is also an annex where members are given the space to complete personal fitness programs.
The ADAB fitness center has something for everyone. Even if a member is motivated but maybe lacks the knowledge of how to utilize everything that a gym has to offer, there are personal trainers available.
“Not only are they instructing classes, but also taking people one-on-one,” said Lamb. “Taking their time to show them certain workouts or helping in whatever that member is trying to accomplish here and work on that.”
Lamb herself has utilized the program, stating that she can’t promote something if she herself doesn’t know how it works.
“They will sit down with you and talk about your goals,” said Lamb. “They will show you how to do an exercise and they will correct you if you are doing it wrong.”
Lamb stated that a lot of members come on deployment with big goals that include the gym. The ADAB fitness center wants to help those members reach their goals, but in a safe and healthy way.
The fitness center is open 24/7 and has a personal trainer on duty at all times. To take advantage of this program, all a member has to do is ask the front desk, fill out a form and they can be on their way to progress.