New Joint Fitness Center benefits all services

  • Published
  • By Christina Oxtra
  • 934 SVS
Minneapolis-St. Paul --  Since it opened its doors for business Sept. 4, the new and improved fitness center has left all who set foot in it simply awe struck.
Dale Prell, assistant chief of Air Force Reserve Command Services, along with other AFRC representatives, local civic leaders and wing members attended the center's ribbon cutting ceremony Sept. 6.
"The new fitness center is a great facility, one of the best in the command," Prell said. He added that the center gives those who work on base "the facility they deserve."
At an Open House Sept. 7, an estimated 135 visitors toured the facility, received giveaways and enjoyed free drinks and snacks. Some even got a free massage from the center's masseuse. The fitness center staff and a company representative were on hand to show visitors how to use the new equipment. 

Everyone marveled at what they saw.
"The new fitness center is beautiful! The machines are great and the new treadmills have fans. I know that sounds silly, but they're really nice when you're working out!" said Janell Harwell, 934th Communication Flight. "I love the new gymnasium and the large locker rooms." 

The fitness center, located in Bldg. 777, the same site as the old one, is more than three times its previous size. At 24,000 square feet and a cost of $4.7 million, it now houses state-of-the-art cardio and weight training machines, flat-screen TVs in the cardio/weight room, free weights, an NCAA-sized basketball court with bleachers, a resurfaced racquetball court, more locker room space and additional showers.
For Harwell, the old fitness center is now just a faded memory. 

"The old gym, wow. That seems so long ago," she said. "I did use it and I didn't mind it, but it's nice to have all the new equipment and it's so much bigger now. It's really nice to have the room and not have to wait to get on a machine."
Known formally as the 934th Airlift Wing Joint Forces Physical Fitness Facility, the fitness center is open to members of all military branches.
After seeing the center, Army Staff Sgt. William Cook, 644th Regional Support Group, and his friends started planning fitness activities for their unit. 

"I think the new fitness center is equivalent or better than that of membership gyms. I like the new equipment the most and the many different varieties the center offered," Cook said. "I have visited the old gym, and the new gym is far superior in every aspect, especially the basketball court. Me and a couple buddies did go to the Open House. We all were very impressed and are working on doing a unit activity there such as basketball." 

Army Sgt.1st Class Michelle Clark, 88th Regional Readiness Command, said she loves the fitness center.
"I like everything about it, especially the basketball court and the weight room. I sometimes went to the old gym, just to play basketball, but compared to now, there really isn't a comparison. The improvement is phenomenal!" Clark said. "I've heard other people say how they really like the new gym, especially the private area where you can stretch, and use the weight balls."
She added that everyone involved in creating the new center did a great job.
"It's really appreciated! Thank you," she said.
Fitness center manager Ronna Puck said the fitness facility has come a long way and she and her staff are proud of what it has become today. 

"I have been working in MWR, then Services as a reservist and as a civilian since 1985. Back then, we had a small office space, two softball fields, a tennis court and played volleyball in a hangar when there weren't any planes in it. We only had MWR events on the UTAs. We didn't have an actual fitness facility of our own until 1999, and because of funding, it was limited in size. But our customers still appreciated what we accomplished, with what we had to offer," Puck said. "It is really satisfying to me to finally give our military members and their families, retirees, and civilians a facility that can meet their needs, and for me and my staff to be able to work in a facility that has everything we need to utilize our skills and training." 

The fitness center staff plans to offer indoor cycling also known as spinning, group circuit training, aerobics, martial arts, core exercise, basketball, volleyball and racquetball competitions and intramural sports. A multipurpose room will be used to conduct health and wellness classes, such as weight loss, smoking cessation, and training for the Air Force Fit to Fight program. Personal fitness training as well as Swedish, sports and rehabilitative massage will be available by appointment.
The fitness center is open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on wing UTA Saturday and 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on wing UTA Sunday.