Osan HAWC offers new fitness program Published June 18, 2009 By 51st Medical Group 51st Fighter Wing Public Affairs Office OSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea -- The Osan Health and Wellness Center will begin offering a new fitness training program beginning June 29 that is tailored for all Airmen experiencing difficulty with the Air Force Physical Fitness test. "Helping Airmen Willing to Change" is a six-week functional fitness program that will consist of varying weekly workouts that address not only aerobic and resistance fitness, but also the agility components of fitness; which are crucial during a wartime situation. "This new course will guide Airmen who have failed their annual physical fitness test, and give them the necessary tools and techniques they need to receive a passing score on their next fitness evaluation," said Senior Airman Kristina Cantu, a diet therapist assigned the 51st Medical Group. "The goal of the class is not only to promote a healthier lifestyle, but for Airmen to increase their overall health and wellness." The six week class will include carrying your own body weight, agility training, sandbag circuit training, and a variety of bodyweight strengthening exercises. Dr. Reggie O'Hara, 51st Medical Group Exercise physiologist said that this specific functional fitness training program will motivate and benefit Airmen who are committed to making a change in fitness status. "The goal of this new program is to take a member who's overall PFT score that is 'borderline' or 'poor' and monitor their changes in fitness for six consecutive weeks until they are eligible to retest," said Doctor O'Hara. "Airmen in the poor fitness category have between 42 and 90 days to re-test, therefore this six week program not only meets the requirements outlined in the Air Force instructions, but it will give them one-on-one guidance on how to train for and pass their annual assessment without injuring themselves. Dr. O'Hara said that the Osan HAWC developed this program because of the variances they started to see in the physical fitness testing since the HAWC started conducting centralized testing. "In 2008, the PFT mean fail rate for Osan AB was at approximately .6 percent," said Doctor O'Hara. "In the first five months of 2009 the mean fail rate increased to more than 8.75%," he said. "We are hoping this new program will give Airmen the skills to pass their PFT and to also help those who receive borderline scores each year," he said. The functional fitness program will be offered four times a week at the Osan Fitness Center and prior to enrolling in the program, Airmen are required to complete an updated fitness screening questionnaire. Commanders and First Shirt's interested in supporting this program and can permit their Airmen to attend are encouraged to call the HAWC for additional information.