New Year, New Goal: Team Misawa encouraged to get fit in 2010

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Rachel Martinez
  • 35th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan --  The New Year brings many resolutions to get fit. It also means new fitness assessment standards for Airmen.

As of Jan. 1, Airmen are required to perform a fitness assessment twice a year. New guidance requires all Airmen to test under current fitness standards during the first half of 2010. Beginning July 1, Airmen will test again under the new Air Force Fitness Program featuring revised scoring charts and minimum standards.

"Nothing will change as far as how the test is conducted, but it's always best to be prepared," said George Hernandez, 35th Force Support Squadron fitness testing technician. "The minimum standards coming in July are going to surprise some people."

To help prepare Airmen, the fitness assessment cell is working on a process to show Airmen who test in the next six months what their fitness assessment score will be under the new scoring standards. Despite the six-month delay in enacting new scoring standards, Mr. Hernandez emphasized Airmen need to prepare now.

"You can't cram for this test - it's a process," he said. "The best way to be ready is to exercise regularly, especially in the components of the test so it is not a surprise to your body when the time comes to test."

Airmen, along with anyone else looking to get fit, have a multitude of facilities, programs and classes available to help them reach their goal.

The Health and Wellness Center is just one such facility. Two familiar classes the HAWC offers include the Body Composition Improvement Program and the Healthy Living Program. BCIP is an in-depth nutrition class, while the HLP focuses on nutrition, fitness and behavior modification. Portion Off The Pounds is a monthly class that takes a look at weight loss and healthy eating. Twice a month, the HAWC offers Fluff To Buff, a class designed to cover circuit and core training. Additionally, the HAWC holds monthly running clinics that examine shoes and running form.

"Mostly what we do here at the HAWC is focus on nutrition," said Tech. Sgt. Jason Wickman, HAWC health promotions flight chief. "People can always schedule a one-on-one appointment with our nutritionist to focus on nutrition or with our exercise physiologist to focus on fitness."

Fitness doesn't have to mean work. Sergeant Wickman said the key is to stay active.

"I encourage people to get outside, even with the snow," Sergeant Wickman said. "Get to outdoor recreation and check out some of the skiing and snowshoe trips they have. Even sledding with your kids, running up that hill a few times, is good exercise. Just keep moving and stay active."

In addition to the HAWC and outdoor recreation, other facilities around base offer a variety of ways to stay active, even during the winter months. The Potter Fitness Center is open seven days a week and offers 65 treadmills, elliptical and cross trainers, as well as two basketball courts, four racquetball courts, a free weights room, an aerobics room and a variety of fitness equipment. The fitness center also hosts more than 30 various group exercise classes - everything from spin class to yoga and hip-hop dance classes.
The Freedom Fitness Center, located in the North area, is also open seven days a week and offers a quieter environment with 20 pieces of cardio equipment, free weights, weight machines and a basketball court.

For those people who may need a little help in the gym, the fitness center offers a few solutions, said Tech. Sgt. Misty Dawson, 35th FSS assistant NCO in charge of fitness and sports. Any fitness center staff member can offer an equipment orientation, showing individuals how to work various equipment pieces throughout the gym. There are also four personal trainers available to work with people on developing a personalized fitness plan.

"The staff maintains a good relationship with the public," said Sergeant Dawson. "Different staff members are interested in different activities. We have someone interested in spin, someone interested in basketball, someone who runs. It's a good, well-rounded group of people who do different things - and we are available for you to talk to. "

To help people start the New Year off right, the Potter Fitness Center is hosting a Step Into the New Year Aerobathon. The event is scheduled to begin at 8 a.m. Jan. 9 and will feature six hours of continuous spin classes as well as six hours of varied aerobics classes. No registration is necessary for this free event.

The 35th FSS and the fitness centers also offer nine intramural sports and five varsity sports programs to Misawa members. Basketball season is currently going on, with racquetball scheduled to begin next in late January.

People looking for an alternative to the fitness center can head to the Lunney Youth Center to help stay active. Although the youth center focuses on children, it also offers a variety of programs for adults, including various dance forms, martial arts, and boxing.

Misawa Air Base offers countless ways to stay active and be healthy. Take 2010 to get fit - and try to have fun doing it.