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380AEW Article

New fitness tent expands workout options for deployed Airmen, Soldiers

  • Published
  • By 1st Lt. Gina McKeen
  • 380th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
SOUTHWEST ASIA --  Force Support officials here opened a new fitness facility Aug. 12 that will give deployed Airmen and Soldiers more options for their workouts 24/7.

"The new facility will offer more workout space, and will help alleviate some of the overcrowding in the current facilities," said Senior Master Sgt. Bryan Shipman, the chief enlisted manager for the 380th Expeditionary Force Support Squadron. "Now you will have three distinct workout areas--one for cardio, one concentrated on weight training and one for circuit training and plyometrics. It's another venue for people to work out how they choose."

The new fitness tent features brand new weight machines, kettle bells, barbells with bumper plates, wall balls, a sound system and TVs for workout videos. It is specially designed to offer space for both total-body circuit training on weight machines and plyometrics circuit training, such as the popular Insanity and P90X workout programs. These programs are designed to provide strength and conditioning based on varied high-intensity movements.

"We opened this facility because of demand," Shipman said. "One of the main morale boosters for our deployed personnel is staying in shape or getting in shape, and this new fitness area will support that with more space and more workout options."

The new tent compliments the existing fitness tents for weights and cardio, which also saw improvements during this upgrade. There are new weight benches and free weights in the weight facility as well as eight new treadmills, eight more cross-trainers and two new aerobic motion trainers in the cardio facility.

"The equipment and TVs are brand new and top of the line," said Tech. Sgt. Joe Straub, the fitness superintendent for the 380th EFSS. "There are more options for people now in each of the facilities, and we think they will be pretty happy about that."

The new fitness facility allows the 380th EFSS to offer something for everyone, added Staff Sgt. Manasseh Blancaflor from the Sustainment Services Flight at the 380th EFSS.

"Circuit-training programs are the new wave of fitness because they allow modification and offer variety," he said. "This new area gives Airmen and Soldiers a place to go for those types of workouts."

The staff emphasized that current capabilities have only expanded with this addition.

"The only changes are positive ones," said Straub. "The new facility is another option for folks to work out how they want."

All of the current classes are still being offered and the crew hopes to offer new classes for circuit training once they can get certified instructors.

The changes were based on feedback from customers, Shipman said, and the 380th EFSS staff wants to continue to hear from the folks they support.

"If customers would like to see a particular piece of equipment or a program, bring it up to the fitness center staff so we can research it," Shipman said.

Personnel are also encouraged to use the interactive customer evaluation surveys located on the 380th EFSS internal Web page to submit suggestions and feedback, Straub said.

"We're open to any suggestions as long as they are realistic," he added.

The planning for this project began before most of the current staff got here about four and a half months ago. And, the staff is excited to see the work pay off.

"It's open, it's working and it's here for our people," Shipman said.

"We want people to know this is their facility," Straub added. "We run it, but it's there for them, and we need their help taking care of it. If something's broken, report it. Pick up the trash and help us keep it maintained. It's their facility, take advantage of it, but don't abuse it."