It’s time to shape up for spring, and the JBER fitness centers can help

Water aerobics students demonstrate a knee cross at the Elmendorf Fitness Center on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson Monday. Water aerobic class offers a low-impact, high-movement workout for cardiovascular, upper and lower body strength and resistance training. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Sheila deVera)

It’s time to shape up for spring, and the JBER fitness centers can help

Bethany Andreas, aerobic instructor, leads a Turbo Kick class at the Elmendorf Fitness Center on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson. Turbo Kick is a combination of kickboxing and dance moves with a blend of intense intervals of strength and endurance training.(U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Sheila deVera)

It’s time to shape up for spring, and the JBER fitness centers can help

Gloria Bechtol, water aerobics instructor, demonstrates a highkick using a pool noodle at the Elmendorf Fitness Center on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson. With two full fitness centers and other smaller facilities like Hangar 5 on the installation, there’s a fitness niche for everyone. Water aerobics, inner-tube water polo and water jogging are popular, as are classes like Zumba, spinning and yoga. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Sheila deVera)

It’s time to shape up for spring, and the JBER fitness centers can help

Published Feb. 1, 2012
By Air Force Staff Sgt. Sheila deVera
JBER Public Affairs

JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska -- Buckner and Elmendorf fitness centers provide avenues for those who want to get on track with fitness.

They offer a wide-ranging fitness programs such as cardio-circuit, toning and abs, water aerobics, cycling, yoga, Turbo Kick, Zumba, and Back2Basics to name a few.

With the ongoing emphasis on physical fitness and testing requirements, service members as well as family members, retirees and Department of Defense civilians can also participate in the classes to help them get back in shape.

Spc. Esther Maka, Alaska National Guard education liason for recruiting and retention, has been attending spin class and water aerobics for more than a month now and has seen improvement.

"I started coming to the classes because of my knee," she said. "Because both classes are not stressful on my knee it has helped me with my run time and endurance level."
Over the course of a year, the centers offered 1,600 free classes. The number of classes per month varies slightly due to holidays; but there are around 120 classes a month at Elmendorf and around 80 a month at Buckner, said Heather Williamson, fitness center lead instructor.

"Our most popular by increasing number of participants is the spin class, followed by Turbo Kick, Zumba, and water aerobics," said Tom Lawson, center director.

Though students will not see the results overnight, an hour of low- and high-impact cardio such as water aerobics, Zumba, spinning and Turbo Kick can help with goals by burning between 500 and 800 calories an hour - about as much as a fast-food burger.
"I provide them tools to help them stay fit, but they have to challenge themselves to see the results they wanted," said Gloria Bechtol, water aerobics instructor.