Fitness on Request comes to Malmstrom

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Katrina Heikkinen
  • 341st Missile Wing Public Affairs
MALMSTROM AIR FORCE, Mont. --  With a 120-inch high definition projection monitor, and capabilities to screen more than 50 workouts both on and off location, Team Malmstrom members now have more opportunities to sustain a high level of physical fitness.

Traditionally used as the spin or aerobics room, the new Fit for Duty room at the Malmstrom Air Force Base Fitness Center recently became one of 66 Air Force installations to receive a virtual "Fitness on Request" kiosk.

"The purpose [of Fitness on Request] is really addressing the aerobics instructor and to supplement all of our aerobics contracts," said James Muscle, 341st Force Support Squadron sports and fitness director. "There have been bases throughout the Air Force that couldn't support over-exaggerated costs for instructors and there weren't enough
instructors to cover all the needs of the community."

While Team Malmstrom members will no longer have the opportunity to attend aerobic classes with an in-person instructor beginning Oct. 1, the new kiosk provides a wider variety of workouts to include dance, cycling, kickboxing, kinetics, stomp and Fit for Duty.

"All of the equipment required for Fitness on Request is readily available in the Fit for Duty room," said 2nd Lt. David Briggs, 341st FSS sports and fitness chief.

"What's great about this new program is it's tailored to the individual," Briggs said. "If someone wants to do free-weights on the floor, they can do that. If they need a coach to walk them through exercises, the instructors teach how to do an exercise by isolating the muscle groups."

For those who'd rather work out at home, they also have the opportunity to sign out Fit for Duty DVDs and can be given permanent copies. Another option for those with internet access is simply going to www.pentagonchannel.mil every Wednesday to access a Fit for Duty workout.

"The best part about this program is the instructor is always going to be there, whether it's 9 p.m. or 5 a.m.," Muscle said. "It's fitness on demand - a streamlined process to come here and get your fitness on. For those who failed a PT test, this can be a guide to help get them back on track. For those who want to conduct a PT session with five people, they can do that. It's updateable, mobile and the workouts will be updated on a quarterly basis so there will always be many options."

Those who wish to bring their own workout DVDs to the fitness center may utilize the fitness assessment cell, located across from the front desk, as the kiosk is not compatible with DVDs.

"For those who enjoy Fitness on Request and want to keep following it, there are 65 other bases that offer this program," Muscle said. "It's always going to be available in some form - 24 hours a day."