To stay trim, hit the gym

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class John D. Partlow
  • 374th Airlfit Wing Public Affairs
YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan --  After the holiday season, some individuals may feel more stuffed than the turkey they ate during the holidays. At Yokota's Samurai Fitness Center, staff workers are busy helping people get back on track, or begin anew by providing equipment such as weights, treadmills, a basketball court and more.

"The most important thing that we provide here are fitness programs," said Benny Miguel, 374th Force Support Squadron fitness center director. "If the community takes advantage of these programs, they can really benefit from them."

While the fitness staff encourages Yokota residents to maintain a regular physical regiment, they also stress the importance of safety.

"People starting to exercise after the holidays, or after any period of inactivity, need to be careful," said Reservist Tech. Sgt. Duan McMillian, 374th FSS fitness specialist. "They need to set realistic training goals and start at a realistic exercise level, so they don't end up hurting themselves."

Recently, the fitness center has focused on helping Airmen with deficiencies in their physical training tests.

"We have a Cross-Training class every Tuesday and Thursday because we have identified that one of the highest components of failure in PT tests is sit-ups," said Miguel. "The Cross-Training class helps build up someone's core strength to help them pass a PT test."

Whether they are helping someone get back into shape or helping an athlete burn calories during an indoor cycling class, staff members at the fitness center are willing to do their part in helping Yokota's mission.

"We are here to keep our Airmen and their families healthy," said Miguel. "When a person is healthy, they are fit to fight."