Combat fitness center announces new spouse hours

Published April 13, 2011
By Senior Airman Nathanael Callon
52nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs

SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany -- The combat fitness center here recently announced times for spouses to exercise during the week. Spouses now have priority at the new center 9 to 11 a.m. Monday through Friday.

"This is an exciting new opportunity for our spouses to utilize our combat fitness program," said Mark Geairn, 52nd Force Support Squadron fitness center director.

The combat fitness center officially opened Jan. 21 and was originally intended for Airmen to improve combat fitness. After the center opened, the fitness staff decided to create the spouse hours so the center would be better utilized.

"The new spouse exercise times allows our fitness staff to meet the needs of not only active-duty service members, but the civilians and spouses on base as well," Mr. Geairn said.

The new hours allow spouses to get a more personalized workout session with a certified combat fitness instructor.

"We have six combat fitness instructors on our staff here to teach anyone who would like to participate in the combat fitness program," Mr. Geairn said.

Although spouses have priority with the instructor and equipment during the allotted time, anyone can use the facility.

"We want to provide the spouses the same workout experience that our Airmen have," said Senior Airman Jason Sugimoto, 52nd Force Support Squadron combat fitness specialist. "Combat fitness is a tough workout, but it helps people reach their personal fitness goals.

"The circuits change every day, so your body does not get used to a set routine," Airman Sugimoto added.

One of these circuits, named "Helen," consists of three sets of the following exercises:
-400-meter run
-21 kettle-bell swings
-12 pull-ups

The workouts can be tailored for the person based on their experiences, strengths and weaknesses.

"For beginners, you have to start with easy workouts. Your body has to adapt to new exercises before moving forward with more demanding exercises or more weight," Airman Sugimoto said.

The combat fitness instructors also offer a combat fitness fundamentals class, which provides beginners with exercise explanations, dynamic range of motion principles and basic workouts to orient them to the world of combat fitness.

"Before performing any strenuous activities, it is important to know how to properly perform the exercises and learn how their body reacts to the workouts," Airman Sugimoto said. "The fundamentals class provides nine classes that build upon the previous class to prepare our customers with a good foundation to perform the full combat fitness workouts."