Fitness Center running on all cylinders

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class William Johnson
  • 436th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  When Col. Michael Grismer, 436th Airlift Wing commander, took command, he issued a challenge to Team Dover, 100 percent passing fitness assessment scores for all Airmen.

Since issuing his challenge, the Fitness Center located on Dover Air Force Base, Del., has worked tirelessly to provide every opportunity available for Airmen to meet the wing commander's challenge. From 24/7 access to workout programs to nutritional plans, the fitness center is ensuring fitness excellence opportunities for every Airmen.

In mid-March the Fitness Center transitioned to a 24-hour, seven days per week schedule, allowing all Airmen, regardless of their work schedule, the opportunity to utilize its facilities.

Tech. Sgt. Jeff Bellon, 436th Force Support Squadron fitness center NCO in charge, said more than 300 people have registered for the 24-hour access.

"We've heard a lot of positive feedback since going 24/7, especially from Airmen who work random shifts," said Bellon. "They are really happy with what is normally noon for day-workers, is midnight for them, and they can come in and workout on their lunch breaks."

The Fitness Center also features two high intensity training programs headed by John Walters, 436th FSS fitness program manager, to improve Airmen's fitness levels. The "90+" and "48 minutes of hell" training programs that are meant to push Airmen beyond the limits of what the standard Air Force fitness assessment requires. Although "48 minutes of hell" is a new regiment, "90+" is a proven program that increases fitness scores.

Since 2012, Walter's "90n90" and "90+" program has helped more than 160 Airmen achieve a 90 or higher on their fitness assessment for the first time in their Air Force career. Master Sgt. Joey Therrien, 512th Maintenance Squadron engine repair supervisor, is one of those success stories. With four consecutive fitness assessment failures, Therrien was facing a retention process with the Air Force Reserves when he was referred to the "90n90" program.

"I've been participating in the '90n90' and new '90+' program for a little more than three years now and it's been an unbelievable help to my fitness goals," said Therrien. "Anybody who participates in this program will definitely see an improvement in their overall component score."

However, there is much more to total Airman fitness than just working out. Diet and nutrition is just as important as busting a sweat in the gym. Coupled with "90+" is the "90+ Nutrition" program that aids Airman in meal plans and what to eat. Geoffrey Borro, 436th Aero Space Medicine Squadron strength and conditioning coach, is a registered dietitian who now heads "90+ Nutrition."

"When people start moving, they want to start eating more because they are burning more calories," said Walters. "What Mr. Borro has done is taken the program to a whole new level. He has broken it down by gender, age, body type and activity level and has given participants the amount of carbohydrates, proteins and fats they should be consuming based off their individual needs."

The Fitness Center will continue to be manned by FSS personnel Mondays through Thursdays from 4 a.m. to 11:30 p.m., Fridays from 4:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m., weekends from 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., and holidays from 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., to assist customers with the 58 thousand square feet facility.