HAWC to begin new fitness programs

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Benjamin Raughton
  • 2nd Bomb Wing Public Affairs
BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. --  In times of shrinking budgets and force-management programs, Airmen who wish to improve their physical conditioning and keep their jobs cannot afford to fail a routine physical training test.

Beginning in January, Barksdale's Health and Wellness Center is set to add new core and muscle workouts to the existing "Balanced Eating, Working out Effectively; Live a long, healthy and productive Life program, also known as the BE-WELL program.

One of the two programs is a push-up and core improvement class and the other is BLAST.

"It stands for butt, legs and abs strength training," said Bobbi Cervantez, HAWC exercise physiologist. "It is strength training for the lower body and the core and will take place at the [Senior Airman Bryan R. Bell] fitness center."

Cervantez will be the instructor for the BLAST class, but will also teach another class beginning in January.

"There will also be a push-up and core improvement class that will help [Airmen] improve their performance on the PT test," she said. "No registration is necessary to get involved. [Airmen] just need to come to the class."

By participating in classes such as the Running Improvement Program and courses like BLAST or Push-up and Core Improvement, Airmen have the fitness resources available to perform to pass PT tests.

"I want to see people do much better on PT tests," Cervantez said. "The Air Force is downsizing and [fitness] is a job requirement. Why put yourself at risk of losing your job over a PT test?"

Furthermore, taking a strength and core class can help Airmen with slow run times because muscles and bones are connected.

"Learning proper techniques and improving on your push-ups and sit-ups is more than just improving your PT test [score]," said Leah Beckham, HAWC health and fitness specialist. "It's about upper body strength and total core conditioning. Core training transfers over to your run because your core is very much involved in running."

Beckham advises Airmen to take core training because of the long-term health benefits.

"Whenever people neglect those core areas, that are when we see a lot of increases in shoulder or lower back problems," Beckham said. "A well-developed core also stabilizes us and helps give us good posture."

With these two classes beginning in January, Airmen have more resources available to pass PT tests and take advantage of long-term health benefits.