FORT POLK, La. — In addition to all the rich, sugar and fat filled treats that come with the holiday season, folks tend to relinquish their normal commitment to working out in favor of good times, late nights, relaxation and a vacation-like aversion to sweat.
That’s not necessarily a bad thing. Everyone deserves a break, but the holidays are over and it’s time to refocus on getting back in shape.
Fort Polk is ready to help Soldiers and Family members take that first step on their journey of physical fitness in the New Year with its top-notch workout facilities.
Randy Behr, Fort Polk Sports, Fitness and Aquatics chief, said since February a conscious effort has been made to upgrade Fort Polk’s gyms and make them more compatible for tactical performance.
Stormie Tippit, Wheelock Fitness Center manager, said much of the new tactical performance equipment at Wheelock and the other gyms on post are different in that they are low impact, non motorized body weight machines that are core oriented.
“The core is the foundation of physical fitness. A strong core allows you the strength to do almost everything else,” she said.
Behr said gym time can have far reaching results in comprehensive wellness and that research shows a healthy body and mind are important to being successful.
“People using Fort Polk facilities are more productive in their everyday lives. Gym time can positively influence everything from work and personal relationships to the success of Fort Polk’s mission,” he said. “It’s also a morale booster. Soldiers and Family members know they can work out in a safe and friendly environment with quality equipment and programs.”
Darrick Gutting, a retired Soldier, said gyms like the Wheelock Fitness Center are important to the Fort Polk community.
“I’m retired, but I still head to the gym to stay healthy and connected to the Soldiers and community,” he said.
Sgt. Kevin Nelson, 1st Battalion (Airborne), 509th Infantry Regiment, said the physical training Soldiers do each day is important in helping them maintain a baseline physical fitness.
“Individual Soldiers have access to quality equipment in gyms all over Fort Polk to help them move beyond that starting point. Cantrell Gym is a 24-hour facility, so there is no excuse; the only way to improve is to push themselves on their own time,” he said.
There are four gyms on Fort Polk.
The following gyms are geared toward Soldiers:
•Cantrell Fitness Center, 2000 Glory Loop, bldg 1262 — This gym offers a combination of both traditional exercise equipment and functional fitness equipment. It is the home of Army Combat Fitness Test classes.
The facility also features amenities such as a steam room, racquetball court and boxing area with speed bags.
Features include free weights, benches and racks, plate-loaded equipment, selectorized weight lifting equipment, kettlebells, tire Flip 180, TRX Suspension, rowers, treadmills, elliptical trainers, upright, recumbent and spin bikes, adaptive motion trainers, VersaClimber, StairMaster, Jacobs Ladder and speed bags.
The fitness center is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. For more information call 531-1935.
•Warrior Fitness Center, 2278 Alabama Ave., bldg 2276 — This facility includes a wide range of indoor and outdoor features including an indoor basketball court, outdoor basketball and tennis courts, treadmills and ellipticals, upright and recumbent bikes, crosstrainers and adaptive motion trainers, Hammer Strength and Nautilus Nitro machines, concept rowers, free weights and medicine balls, TRX Suspension and heavy bag. Racquetball and basketball courts are available for reservations.
Hours of operation are Monday through Friday from 5 a.m.-8 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. For more information call 531-1898.
•Tiger Land Fitness Center, 7318 Ave., bldg 7318A — In addition to using a variety of equipment, the Tiger Land Fitness Center offers Soldiers a chance to have fun while exercising by playing basketball on a new surface in the half-court gym.
The facility has state of the art equipment including treadmills, elliptical machines, upright and recumbent bikes, Hammer Strength, Nautilus Nitro machines, concept rower, boxing gloves, free weights and medicine balls.
Hours of operation are Monday through Friday from 5 a.m.-8 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. For more information call 531-5010.
•Home of Heroes Functional Fitness Center, 2165 Ninth St., bldg 1455 — The center focuses on whole body movements while emphasizing core stability. There are various types of equipment that will help you accomplish functional fitness goals and add variety to workouts including sleds, climbing ropes, tires and free weights.
Other equipment and features include an exercise rig, battle ropes, plyo boxes, Concept 2 ski ergs, Concept 2 rowers, spin bikes, assault bikes, wall and slam balls, kettlebells, glute ham developers, boxing gloves and pads and TRX Suspension.
Hours of operation are Monday through Friday from 5 a.m.-7 p.m., Saturday from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. and closed on Sunday. For more information call 531-4337.
•Wheelock Gym, 7755 Georgia Ave., bldg 3350 — Wheelock is geared to Soldiers and Family members with access to the same equipment as the gyms listed above and more. There is something for everyone and plenty of ways to "Commit to be Fit."
There is a wide variety of cardio and weight equipment, a sauna, steam room and hot tub area, walking and running track, rock climbing wall and group exercise room. Each new member must register with the facility.
Wheelock also offers an extensive group exercise program. While many classes are free, others are offered for $3 per class. Classes include everything from spin and bootcamp to Zumba, yoga and more.
If you are looking for one-on-one training to achieve your fitness goals Wheelock Fitness Center also has personal trainers available for $30/session.
Check out the dates and times for classes on the January Fitness Calendar at https://polk.armymwr.com on the bottom of the Wheelock Fitness Center page.
For more information call 531-6795.
| Date Taken: | 01.10.2020 |
| Date Posted: | 01.31.2020 13:07 |
| Story ID: | 361329 |
| Location: | FORT POLK, LOUISIANA, US |
| Web Views: | 35 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Quality of life: Maintaining peak fitness is key to robust lifestyle, superior mission results, by Angie Thorne, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
