Fitness center expands workout options with new equipment haul

  • Published
  • By Dan Neely
  • 919th Special Operations Wing Public Affairs
DUKE FIELD, Fla. --  Duke Field warriors just got more than a dozen new ways to stay 'fit to fight.' Thanks to a year-end closeout fund purchase, the base fitness center has recently added $60,000 worth of new fitness equipment to their inventory.

The newly installed cardiopulmonary exercise equipment includes four stationary bikes, two "Summit Trainers," two treadmills and five elliptical trainers, while several older pieces have been replaced.

"The Summit Trainer machines have some new features, such as allowing multiple areas of exercise workouts," said April Crooks, fitness center manager. "They offer a manual workout, allowing the individual to control their own pace and intensity. The hill workout offers a variety of hills and valleys which offers a great cardio exercise. The fat burn workout offers just that, a workout that focuses on burning 'the body's fat reserves,' as the manual lists it."

The cardio workout, she explained, is designed for more athletic and active individuals that want to optimize their cardio and fat burning results. Zone training works certain targeted zones and areas. There is also a personal trainer feature that can be used with a headset to offer an aerobic workout or fit tests.

The controls on the screen allow the individual to decide which workout would better suit them. It also allows for a longer pause time, and the individual can change their workout routine at any time and at their own discretion.

The fitness center is open seven days a week from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. The facility can be accessed after hours via key card for those that work swing shifts. There is 24 hour monitoring of the facility as well, so an increased feeling of security is an added benefit.

"I know that many of the folks here at Duke Field are aware that we at the fitness center are here to serve their needs," Ms. Crooks said. "We're making improvements and offering many additions to the facility and our services to bring our folks in to help them increase their quality of life.

We have added outdoor recreation services for our folks and items such as basketballs, volleyballs, soccer balls and tennis rackets with balls."
The items can be checked out between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. weekdays and unit training assembly weekends.

"We're currently running our Resolution Renew Program for weight loss and workout consistency," Ms. Crooks said. The final weigh-ins will take place March 3-8, through the March (unit training assembly) weekend. Winners will be announced the following week, and prizes will be awarded during April UTA weekend.

Ms. Crooks said a raffle and drawing for two treadmills were held during the February UTA weekend. The winners were Tech. Sgt. Michelle Linza, 919th Medical Squadron (first place) and Airman 1st Class Denise Garcia, 919th Operations Support Squadron (second)

"We are in the process of setting up a Fun Run to initiate the official opening of the running track," she said. The brand new, 2,800-foot track was funded by Headquarters Air Force Reserve Command at a cost of $390,000.

The track's rubberized surface "has been added to the many upgrades and improvements that Duke Field has requested," Ms. Crooks said. "It was felt that our base wanted to be able to offer our folks here the same benefits and features that our host base allows its folks.

The rubberized surface allows for less stress and damage to the knees and joints of the body upon impact. This will allow our folks to be able to practice their runs, maintain running times, or work on overall improvements without having to worry about as much wear and tear to their body."

Bringing improvements to the base's fitness center has come about thanks to active participation from wing leadership, said Lt. Col. Ed Anderson, 919th Special Operations Wing plans officer, who also serves as the facility's director.

"Since I was given the opportunity of overseeing the fitness center back in 2003, I have been very happy with the support for the facility from the past wing commander, (now Brig. Gen. Mark Kyle) and our current commander, Colonel Steven Chapman," Colonel Anderson remarked.

"Their support of the fitness center for 919th Special Operations Wing personnel has been instrumental in receiving the necessary funding to keep equipment relevant and in a safe and proper running condition. I'd like to personally thank them for helping make this possible. This has been a very rewarding project of mine, and I thank all who have helped with the fitness center over the past years."