JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. –
The scramble to find an indoor workout during the winter season is over as the anticipated $600,000 renovations to the Tactical Fitness Center at the West Fitness Center are completed, and its doors reopened Jan. 3
Upon entrance to the new and improved center, one will notice a new four-lane indoor track now framing the perimeter. In the center, there is a rubber matted area where the pull-up bars and free-hand weights are located and "CrossFit" sessions take place. The other half of the center is carpeted, and, in addition to the placement of the weight machines from the old cardio room, several machines were replaced with 20 new treadmills, 22 elliptical machines, seven upright bikes and eight recumbent bikes.
Cassandra Smith, 11th Force Support Squadron recreation assistant, demonstrated the use of one of the new treadmills.
The treadmills are each equipped with their own monitor that allows users to either watch television or use one of its many operational features. The machine allows users to choose a personal trainer, male or female, that will walk through the workout and the many new features on the machine, said Smith.
"The personal trainer offers actual motivations throughout the workout, with sayings like 'keep it up,' and 'you're doing great,'" said Smith.
The treadmills also allow the user to keep track of workout progress with the available USB port, which allows users to save their work-out on their personal storage devices, said Smith.
Many of the upgrades were based on the comments left in the suggestion box to upgrade the equipment as well as the ability to control television channels during workouts, said Smith.
Recreation assistants will be available at all times to assist and demonstrate the use of any equipment, said Smith.
"The renovation of the Tactical Fitness Center makes a huge difference in our facility," said Sabine Martinez, 11 FSS operations and fitness specialist. "It's more spacious and convenient to work out in, and the environment is much friendlier."
The basketball court is no longer located in the TFC, but is slated to be set up in the old cardio room, which is through the front entrance of the West Fitness Center and to the right.
The renovations for this project are slated to take place Jan. 10 for approximately two months, during which that particular area will be closed.
"Our primary purpose for this three part renovation of our fitness facilities is to provide a better quality of life for our Airmen, tenant services and their family members," said Anthony Alcala, 11 FSS complex director.