New program helps Airmen stay fit to fight

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Jonathan Fowler
  • 374th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan --  The Samurai Fitness Center staff is offering a way for military members to assess their health and help improve their lives. Micro-Fit provides people with an accurate assessment of their current fitness status.

"Micro-Fit is a computer-based assessment of a person's current health status," said Tech. Sgt. Niaa Payne, 374th Services Squadron noncommissioned officer in charge of fitness programs. "This program measures blood pressure, heart rate, body fat percentage, aerobic output, flexibility, strength and gives the person an overall look at their health and what they can do to improve in each area."

All of the equipment used for the examination is connected to a specialized computer that will self-calibrate and gather results instantaneously. The computer will then calculate a customer's score and compare it to other people in the customer's age bracket.

"The program is a Pacific Air Forces' initiative," said Sergeant Payne. "The program originally started in the civilian realm and through research, was implemented as a program for base gyms."

The program began April 1 and will run indefinitely.
"Overall, the program has been a success," said Sergeant Payne. "We hope the program will motivate our customers to change their lifestyles for the better."

"Each person will receive a detailed print out of their current fitness level," said Tech. Sgt. Pamela Willis, 374 SVS NCOIC of operations and training. "Our staff can then use the readings to determine the most beneficial fitness program for that person."

Customers will benefit by understanding their strengths which will allow them to focus on what they need to do to reach their goals.

The assessment can be taken more than once, so it is possible for customers to gauge their progress.

"I recommend returning after 90 days," said Sergeant Payne. "This way, customers see how they have improved and continue to better themselves."

Micro-Fit is available Mondays through Fridays, by appointment only, between 7:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. For more information, call 225-8889.