fitness center fits new equipment into cardio room

WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. -- Chad Lindbloom, a worker for Push Pedal Pull, a specialty fitness equipment dealer from Sioux Falls, SD, assembles a new treadmill, August 26. The company sent a crew to deliver and set up the new cardio room at the Whiteman fitness center.(U.S. Air Force Photo by Airman 1st Class Torey Griffith)

fitness center fits new equipment into cardio room

WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. -- Two workers Push Pedal Pull, a fitness equipment sales setup and service company from Sioux Falls, SD, haul a palate to the dumpster after unboxing a new treadmill, August 26. The company sent a crew to deliver and set up the new cardio room at the Whiteman fitness center.(U.S. Air Force Photo by Airman 1st Class Torey Griffith)

Whiteman fitness center fits new equipment in cardio room

Published Sept. 1, 2010
By By Airman 1st Class Torey Griffith
509th Bomb Wing Public Affairs

WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. -- The Whiteman fitness center is abuzz with the sounds of rolling belts and padding feet as members in the cardio room chug away the miles on brand new treadmills and elliptical machines.

"We purchased new equipment to meet the fit to fight standards and improve the quality of life at Whiteman," said Master Sgt. Maria Machado, NCO in charge of the fitness center. "We have some harsh weather here in the Midwest, and the old equipment was showing its age from the use it had seen."

Indoor cardio workouts help Team Whiteman members avoid the extremes that Midwest weather presents, allowing them to maintain fitness without risking heatstroke or frostbite.

"We increased the number of treadmills here so more people have the opportunity to use them," Sergeant Machado said. "Cardio is a large component of the PT test. When we looked at our customer feedback we saw that treadmills were a high priority."

While the old equipment wasn't all that old, it was showing its age, according to the sergeant. "Our treadmills are open for use for 20 hours a day. Any equipment with that kind of use is going to wear out after a while," she said.

Users are finding the new equipment to be very useful during the hottest part of summer.

"I'm preparing for my fitness test later this month," said Airman 1st Class Craig Schillig, 509th Munitions Squadron conventional maintenance crew chief. "I can put a lot more miles down inside, as opposed to outside, where it's been over 100 degrees for a while."

Improving quality of life is a priority held high by all entities on base.

"Quality of life is important to us, because the fitness center is the heart of the base," said Sergeant Machado. "People come here to get fit and relieve stress. We're always looking to improve the equipment, so when people give us suggestions, we listen."

Sergeant Machado said popular suggestions are making their way from the lips of the customers to the floors of the fitness center.

"We are working hard to keep up with what civilian facilities have to offer," Sergeant Machado said.