New fitness incentive added to program

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Kristina Overton
  • 341st Missile Wing Public Affairs Office
MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. --  The new Air Force fitness program is expected to kick-off July 1. Along with it, a new fitness excellence incentive will also be taking effect. Airmen who earn an "excellent" on the new fitness test will only have to test once a year according to the revision of the fitness program.

The change in the program will allow those Airmen who test and score a 90 or better in all four components to test annually. The four components consist of a 1.5-mile timed run, abdominal circumference, push-ups and sit-ups. The scoring system ranks 90 and above as "excellent;" those scoring between 75 and 90 as "satisfactory;" and those scoring under 75 as "unsatisfactory."

"The new incentive should definitely motivate Airmen to work a little harder to reach those fitness goals," said Staff Sergeant Nino Serrano, 341st Force Support Squadron fitness supervisor. "In the past few months, we've already noticed an increase in the number of people coming in to work out, especially running and doing cardio."

The new fitness assessment places an increased emphasis on the aerobic run portion of the test, which now accounts for 60 percent of the overall score (previously 50 percent). Body composition will account for 20 percent, and sit-ups and push-ups remain at 10 percent each.

"It's important that members keep up with their cardio and continue to push themselves in that effort," Sergeant Serrano said. "People often don't realize that cardio affects the whole body and will essentially help with the other components of the assessment. The facility is here for them to utilize in any way they see fit, and we have classes, aerobics, personal trainers and a variety of equipment available for them. It's all up to the individual to set that goal."

The Air Force incentive is set up to encourage military members to take more of an initiative in their physical fitness, and reward them for their efforts to exceed regular standards. Former Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force Rodney J. McKinley also reminds Airmen that remaining physically fit is also a matter of readiness.

"Maintaining the proper fitness levels is really about maintaining combat capability," said Chief McKinley." Being fit can make the difference between life and death for Airmen when actions require concentrated physical activity on or near the battlefield."

The new standards can be reviewed in Air Force Instruction 36-2905 chapter 2.1.

For more information about fitness assessments or the new fitness program, call the fitness center at 731-3621.