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Fitness Improvement Program helps Team Andersen stay mission ready

  • Published
  • By Airman Whitney Amstutz
  • 36th Wing Public Affairs
Charged with the responsibility of safeguarding our nation and its citizens, members of the armed services are expected to be in fighting condition at all times.

The Fitness Improvement Program helps members of Team Andersen who are having difficulty maintaining these standards get back into shape and begin a healthier lifestyle.

Senior Airman Britney Robinson, a FIP instructor, believes it is possible to achieve significant results with the right attitude.

"I've noticed that the program works for people who come here ready to try their best and make a real effort," Airman Robinson said. "What you get out of FIP is a direct result of what you put into it."

Work-out sessions take place at the Coral Reef Fitness Center three times a day and are half an hour long.

"We have three classes a day at 6:30 a.m., 11 a.m. and 4 p.m.," Airman Robinson said. "On average, there are about 15-20 participants in each class."

In order to keep members motivated, FIP instructors incorporate a variety of different exercises and challenging activities in each session.

"If you do the same thing every day, members are definitely going to lose interest and it becomes harder for them to stay engaged," Airman Robinson said. "We do lots of different things so that doesn't happen. We do everything from cardio, to muscle toning and core strengthening exercises."

In addition, FIP works closely with the Health and Wellness Center to ensure participants are receiving the guidance they need to succeed in the present, while enabling them to maintain a high level of fitness in the future.

"The Fitness Improvement Program coincides with HAWC," Airman Robinson said. "They teach participants how to eat foods that will help them stay in shape and have lots of energy. The goal is to help people make lifestyle changes, not just pass a physical training test."

Staff Sgt. Matthew Hamblen, an aircraft service technician with the 734th Air Mobility Squadron, began attending FIP classes in March, and has continued to attend after passing his most recent PT test.

"This class keeps me going," Sergeant Hamblen said. "Seeing the weight come off and the run times go down is proof enough for me that it works. The Air Force is changing and I have made up my mind to change with it."