MaxFit keeps Sabers 'Fit to Fight'

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Alexis Siekert
  • 52nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germ --  As of the beginning of this fiscal year, physical fitness testing standards have changed. In a culture of forward-moving Airmen, the Skelton Memorial Fitness Center offers a class to keep all base members "Fit to Fight."

MaxFit is a free class designed specifically to help improve fitness assessment scores as well as provide participants a full-body workout.

The class is offered every Monday and Wednesday from 5-6 p.m. in the basketball court and is available to anyone who has base access and not just those on active duty.

"I try to mix it up," said Master Sgt. Ebony Stepp, 52nd Logistics Readiness Squadron central storage section chief and instructor of the class. "We do cardio, strength training and circuits - it just depends on how I'm feeling that day. MaxFit is here for your overall-physical health, not just your pushups, sit-ups and run test. Yet everything I do is geared toward those components in some way."

Installations across the Air Force offer a variation of MaxFit to benefit Airmen. However members of Spangdahlem's fitness center said feedback about their program put Stepp's work among the best.

"We have heard a lot of great reviews from the class," said Juergen Stockemer, 52nd Force Support Squadron fitness operations manager. "Everyone loves Ebony, and she is doing a great job."

Stepp said she has a passion for helping others meet their health and fitness goals.

"I love fitness and love to teach, so I really enjoy instructing MaxFit," she said. "I just had a member - one of my regulars - come up to me and say, 'All the sprint training we do has really helped with my PT score.' That makes me very happy."

MaxFit usually attracts around 15 participants for each class, but Stepp said she wants to get the word out so more can get involved.

"You can come at any fitness level - just come," she said. "I can definitely gear any of the workouts to any one no matter where they stand physically or if they have any limitations. My workouts are fast and quick, but adjustable for everyone."

For all base members interested in getting started, Stepp had a few tips for first-timers.

"Be prepared to work up a sweat," she said. "Bring water because you are going to get a good workout, I promise."

For more information, contact the fitness center at 452-6634.