Photo By Petty Officer 1st Class William Phillips | Raul Diaz, a Naval Support Activity Bethesda (NSAB) Morale Welfare and Recreation...... read more read more
Physical fitness is an important part of military life.
Service members need to be physically ready to take on challenges at any time and to also stay healthy and live fit lifestyles.
Naval Support Activity Bethesda’s (NSAB) Morale Welfare and Recreation (MWR) has a team of personal trainers at the Fitness Center to help do just that, and also help family members stay in shape as well.
[Personal training] gives you a one-on-one experience,” said Amanda Kozay, NSAB MWR fitness manager and personal trainer. “If you don’t know a lot about fitness equipment or what to do yourself, you can come in and get some help. We do fitness orientations here to help you learn how to use the equipment.”
The personal training staff helps each person work toward their personal goals.
“We do specialized training,” said Kozay. “So you come in with your goals and we tailor the workouts you do specifically so you aren’t following something generic or a one-size fits all approach.
“It’s a really nice experience and it’s one-on-one and they can ask us questions as opposed to a group setting where they may be a little more reserved.”
It doesn’t matter whether you are new to the gym or have been a gym rat for years, personal training can benefit you.
“There are a lot of benefits from someone who has never worked out before to someone who has been in the gym for years, said Amanda O’Brien, NSAB MWR personal trainer. “We are going to give you some new tools and a different approach that you’ve probably never worked with before, especially for someone who is new getting acquainted with all the equipment, feeling comfortable in the gym is a big thing.
“Some people don’t like going in the weight room, so just stepping in there is a big step, and then for people who have been in the gym and aren’t seeing the results that they want, we can help gear their workout plan towards them.”
What is unique about personal training at NSAB is the opportunity to work with military members, their family and Wounded Warriors.
“Military members, it’s a different experience,” said Kozay. “They come in here looking for help with their PRT or they are already advanced with their fitness and they come in here just to change their fitness program. It’s nice to be able to give [family members] that benefit as well so they can participate.
“I really enjoy working with Wounded Warriors and seeing them progress from right out of physical therapy to walking out of here with confidence that they can continue on with their life and be active.”
For O’Brien and Sarah Myers, NSAB MWR personal trainer and recreational assistant, a personal connection with the military helps put what they do into perspective.
“I’m a Navy brat and my dad used to work on this base so I see a whole different side of it,” said O’Brien. “For me, to be able to give back to the families and service members, who I have seen devote their time away from family and everything that they have given up, just giving them some progress in the physical department and those who are struggling with passing their PRT, giving them that success is amazing.”
Some of the trainers have a personal link to the military, making their job even more rewarding.
Myers said, “I’m a military spouse, so I am very close to the military. I think it is very important as a community that we are there to build each other up and be there for one another, but also I feel like it is my duty to be there for the military and help them be healthy and enjoy life.”
No matter who they are working with, the trainers feel rewarded by the relationships they build with their clients.
“I think the personal relationships you build with people here is the best thing about my job,” said Kozay. “You get to know them and when they are asking you how your family is and you know you’ve built a bond with them.
“I don’t like seeing people go, you get close to them and the hardest part is seeing them deploy or get re-stationed.”
The trainers invest more than just physical training, they develop relationships with their clients.
“The people make my job worth it everyday,” said O’Brien. “I could be having a terrible day, and getting to meet with one of my clients and the trust and relationship that I build with each person is incredible and when they have success it’s like I have success and we get to share that moment.”
There are three full-time trainers and three part-time trainers on staff offering a variety of specialties and times for training.
Personal training is free for active duty military and $15 per session for other eligible patrons.
To schedule a training session, email nsabtraining@gmail.com and fill out a small request form with days and times of availability, along with general goals and personal situation, and the staff will set you up with the trainer that best meets your needs.
| Date Taken: | 04.07.2016 |
| Date Posted: | 04.07.2016 09:44 |
| Story ID: | 194649 |
| Location: | BETHESDA, MARYLAND, US |
| Web Views: | 118 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Get Fit with MWR Personal Trainers, by PO2 Henry Gettys, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
