Malmstrom's fitness center: Helping Airmen achieve goals through teamwork, exercise

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Collin Schmidt
  • 341st Missile Wing Public Affairs
MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. --  Achieving one's goals in fitness can pose a challenge for some. Whether it's because of insufficient knowledge on how to train effectively, a busy work schedule or maybe they just need that extra push to get them going; many factors can come into play.

According to Malmstrom's Airmen, being fit to fight is a necessity but can also pose the same obstacles men and women across the country are faced with every day in the gym. Hard work and dedication is essential to succeed in fitness and also in the workplace, but sometimes a helping hand can be all the difference in those goals becoming a reality.

For Malmstrom's Fitness Center personnel, helping Airmen and their families overcome these fitness obstacles while preparing for success is a challenge that is taken on every day, conquered step by step.

"As fitness center staff, we try to provide an environment where people feel motivated and have the tools they need to mold themselves into the men and women they want to be," said Staff Sgt. Josue Silva, 341st Force Support Squadron sports director. "Whether it's through our sports programs or by hitting the weights, we want everyone to succeed in the goals they set for themselves when it comes to personal fitness. It's important to have a team that is physically and mentally prepared for anything and hopefully we can play a part in helping our customers get on the right path to becoming fit."

The fitness center offers a host of programs for Airmen and their family members to participate in; the most recent being Malmstrom's volleyball tournament, which according to its participants has been one of the most enjoyable and competitive sports events in the last two years.

Throughout the rest of the year, the center also offers softball, football, basketball and recently implemented soccer into their repertoire. Along with sports, events such as bodybuilding competitions and incentive programs provide an additional outlet for people to participate in while also encouraging teamwork to help push everyone to succeed.

"Our programs have seen a dramatic rise in participation over the last year or two," Silva said. "I give a lot of credit to my staff and coworkers. They do a lot with a little and are always coming up with new ideas for things that would be interesting to the Airmen at Malmstrom. Participation from the local community and Airmens' family members has also been big. At every game or event we put on, there are people on the sidelines cheering.

"For me, it's encouraging to see people take such an interest in getting into shape and participating in the programs we provide," he added. "It shows me that we are doing something right."

Without these outlets to release tension and as a way to get to know their coworkers on a more personal level, Team Malmstrom would not be the tight-knit community it needs to be.

"I feel like we have a huge part in the morale on base," said Airman 1st Class Sean Jeffcoat, 341st FSS assistant sports director. "Even with something as simple as saying 'hi' to someone walking in the door, it can make a difference. During the winter, with how cold it gets, sometimes coming to the gym is the main thing people can do here on base. Some Airmen spend four or five hours here at a time. You can just see how having a facility like this to come to means a lot.

"The sports programs and programs like our bodybuilding competition also have a huge impact," he added. "It gives people something to do other than sit in the dorms all day. It also gives us a chance to be competitive in something we love. As a fitness center staff member who helps makes these things happen and also as an Airman who participates in these programs, being able to take part in these kinds of things makes a difference and helps us move forward as a team."

For more information on Malmstrom's Fitness Center and its programs, contact their front desk at 731-3621 or visit www.341fss.com.