Fitness Center upgrades equipment

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Brok McCarthy
  • 51st Fighter Wing Public Affairs
OSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea --  Anyone using the fitness center may notice a lot of new equipment. In fact, there is $216,500 worth of new equipment.

According to Master Sgt. Nyron Alexander, fitness center operations superintendent, one of the biggest changes is in the weight room.

"We have totally replaced everything in the weight room to meet the ever increasing needs of our customers," he said. "Anyone walking back there will notice there is more equipment and more room to walk around in. Most of what we have in there are the latest models of what is made by Hammer Strength and Lifefitness."

The room now has at least two pieces of every type of machine in order to reduce the time patrons must wait to lift.

Three new types of machines have been added as well. There are two pectoral fly/rear deltoid machines, two seated row machines and two shoulder press machines. A few of the machines in the gym, like the pectoral fly/rear deltoid machines, are capable of working multiple muscle groups.

"Along with being newer, these machines are all also more ergonomically correct," Master Sgt. Alexander said. "This means they will be easier to use and will have less chance of causeing injuries."

The center is also due to receive a new set of dumbbells and weight benches sometime in February. Overall, the weight room has 12 more machines than it did before the replacement.

The cardio room will also receive a makeover. The most noticeable change will likely be the addition of 10, 32-inch LCD, flat screen televisions replacing the 25-inch televisions currently in use.

There will be a total of 24 new bike machines put in, 14 recumbent and 10 upright. Five steppers and several new elliptical trainers are due to be replaced, as well. Master Sgt. Alexander said no new treadmills were ordered because the current ones are only about a year old.

He said the upgrade of all this equipment will not only benefit the Airmen at Osan, but at geographically separated units, as well.

"Our old equipment goes to GSUs who don't have fitness centers but do have services facilities where equipment can be set up," he said. "By doing this we are reducing, recycling and reusing serviceable equipment."

Along with the new equipment, the center has also started a new workout buddy program. In order to participate in the program, individuals only need to write their names, phone numbers and what kind of work out style they like on a board located between the cardio and weight rooms.

Anyone who would like to lift weights and isn't sure how to correctly use the equipment, or would like a workout plan, can set up an appointment with the center's personal trainers by calling 784-5568.