Exercise doesn’t have to be boring

Being fit to fight goes a lot further than just being a catchy saying and to help people get their fittest, they need not go any further than the base fitness center.

Though squadrons have mandated physical training (PT) schedules, there are a variety of other activities that the fitness center offers to people interested in doing more than just their mandated PT.

From themed 5K runs to intramural sports, there are endless possibilities for people to get involved in and the fitness center is always actively searching out new ideas to increase participation.

“The fitness center is coming up with new ideas about how we conduct our activities and meet the needs of our customers…ideas that are targeted at gaining maximum participation and enjoyment of getting fit,” said Maj. Rick McKee, 27th Special Operations Services Squadron commander. “Since taking command this past July I’ve asked the staff to think big and bring fresh ideas to the table. They’ve responded brilliantly and have and will continue to make a significant impact on the fitness participation and levels of Cannon’s commandos.”

As an example, one of the things done to increase participation in the themed 5K runs was to change the start times to help coincide with squadron PT schedules and also change the course to avoid impeding traffic, said McKee. The first event under this new change was the September 26th Beat the Heat 5K run held at Unity Park Pavilion at 7 a.m. Participants were introduced to a new running course on perimeter road adjacent to the golf course. The run was a huge success and attracted 478 participants; the largest number of 5K participants in Cannon’s recorded history.

One of the events being held in the near future by the fitness center is the Spooky 5K Run at Unity Park on base Oct. 30 at 7 a.m., when people will get to run the 5K in their costume. Awards are also being given out for top male and female runners and also for the best costume of the day.

In addition, something people may not know about the fitness center is their capability to have people meet with a personal trainer to assist them in achieving their PT goals. “Most of us have certifications in personal training and offer personal training assistance,” said Tech. Sgt. Carefree Zellhart, 27th SOSVS.

The bottom-line, the 27 SOSVS Fitness Center is serious about making a difference by providing programs that promote the health and fitness of Cannon personnel, said McKee.