Max-out the new year with fitness center programs and challenges Published Jan. 12, 2017 By Senior Airman Luke Hill 2nd Bomb Wing Public Affairs BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. -- The Senior Airman Bryan Bell Fitness Center has many programs and challenges that can aid Airmen and civilians in meeting their fitness goals. No matter what level of fitness an individual is currently at, there is a program that fits their goals. For Airmen or civilians who may struggle with physical fitness, medical and fitness professionals hold a six-week physical training rehab course. The specific goal of the course is to help people who are struggling with fitness assessments, injuries, or just need help overcoming physical or mental hurdles. The course is full of positive testimonies and provides a friendly and competitive atmosphere. The next class begins Jan. 27. For more information on PTRC or to sign up, contact Tech. Sgt. Aaron McGee at (318)-456-6300. “We have an average of a 34 point or 50 percent increase on fitness assessment scores for the students,” said McGee, 2nd Medical Group, course founder. “Most people don’t realize how much they have improved until their mock test at the end of the course.” For those who are already friends of physical fitness, why not try one of the many challenges provided at the fitness center. The fitness center offers multiple challenges such as Max-out Monday and Bench Press a B-52. People who complete a challenge will receive a t-shirt and will also become a part of an elite group of physically fit Airmen at Barksdale. The Max-out Monday challenge consists of bench press, barbell squat and dead lift. Only people who are able to achieve over 1,000 lbs of total combined max out weight will be considered worthy of the Max-out Monday T-shirt. To try the Max-out Monday challenge, ask for a score card from one of the fitness center personnel. This challenge can be attempted as many times as people would like to try it. So, if people fall short, there is always next week. “Yo man! How much you bench?” Before the recent explosion of the “leg day” fanaticism, it was all about the bench press. Airmen who can complete the Bench Press a B-52 challenge will be able to answer that question with the pride of pectoral accomplishment. To complete the challenge, Airmen must bench press a combined total weight of 185,000 lbs. To begin the challenge, Airmen can ask a fitness center staff member for a score card and start tracking their progress. The fitness center also has a challenge for Airmen who love to run. The Barksdale miles club is the perfect challenge for all the fast and furious Airmen at Barksdale. To become part of the Barksdale miles club, Airmen must run a minimum of 500 miles. They can also work towards the 1,000 mile club and 1,500 mile club. Ask a fitness center staff member for a score card to start counting those miles. Airmen who are looking for an all-around fitness challenge might be interested in the Iron Airman Challenge. The challenge consists of a two mile run, pushups, pullups and situps. All exercises must be completed within a 30 minute time period. Participants are given two minutes per exercise to try and complete as many pushups, pullups, and situps as possible. An authorized tester will be present to make sure proper form is used and to count and score the test. Airmen who receive a minimum score of 360 points will have the distinct honor of being called an Iron Airman. Airmen who think they have what it takes to complete this test must schedule it in advance. To schedule a test, contact Staff Sgt. Joseph Pagan at 456-1015. “Becoming an Iron Airman is one of my proudest fitness accomplishments,” said Senior Airman Bradley Matheney, 2nd Operational Support Squadron airfield systems technician. “It took several months of intense training to be able to score above the 360 point minimum.” The fitness center also offers cycling classes, Yoga, Karate and more for those who want to try something new or enjoy working out in a group. For questions and class times call 456-4135. For everyone who is beginning the year with a new fitness goal, whether it’s to run a marathon, bench press a B-52 or just to get back into shape after the holidays, the fitness center has a multitude of options that can help them get there.