Keeping Yokota moms fit

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Lynsie Nichols
  • 374th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan --  The team at Yokota's Health and Wellness Center has recently added a prenatal aerobics class to help moms-to-be stay in shape.

Staff Sergeant Treshawna Gwendo, diet therapist at the 374th Aerospace Medicine Squadron, is the instructor for the class and says the class is for anyone who is a new mom getting back into their work out routine, or a soon-to-be mom.

"If you're pregnant, you're qualified to come to this class," said Sergeant Gwendo. "Also, if you just had a baby and you want to ease yourself back into the workout program, you can come to this class."

Sergeant Gwendo said there was a need for a prenatal aerobics class.

"We saw a need for the class because there were a lot of pregnant ladies at Yokota," said Sergeant Gwendo. "We didn't offer anything specific for pregnant women, so they got me certified to teach the prenatal class."

Sergeant Gwendo went to Yokuska to attend a workshop that lasted four days, in order to become certified. During the course, she learned some routines that would work for pregnant women.

"The class I offer is one fun-filled hour of aerobics and light weights," said Sergeant Gwendo. "We work the arms, the legs and the major muscles."

The class teaches the importance of working out during pregnancy. Sergeant Gwendo feels that too many people think you should wait until after you give birth to continue with an exercise program.

"This class enables the female to make sure that when she goes back to work, she hits the ground running," said Sergeant Gwendo. "If you keep working out, it's going to be so much easier to workout after the baby is here."

Sergeant Gwendo wants to encourage pregnant women to come to her class.

"It's not hard, if you start working out throughout your pregnancy, then you start making life-changing goals for yourself," said Sergeant Gwendo. "It's a good class to ease your way into working out even though you are pregnant."

The Fit Moms class is offered every Tuesday and Thursday from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.