Changes coming to Whiteman Fitness Center

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Joel Pfiester
  • 509th Bomb Wing Public Affars
WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. --  The Whiteman Air Force Base Fitness Center's transformation into a more functional gym began Sept. 18.

The renovations will be done in several different phases which are scheduled to be completed as early as January 2015.

The first step in this transformation was the creation of the After Hours Annex, formerly the Health and Wellness Center.  This extended the hours the Fitness Center is open for use.

The next order of business is transforming the Falcon Gym basketball court into a new weight room.

"The Falcon Gym will no longer be a basketball court," said Angela Anderson, 509th Force Support Squadron fitness center director. "The 7,900 square feet room will be receiving brand-new roll out rubber flooring, this will be the new weight room. The current Hammer Strength equipment will be moved in there along the west wall with approximately $80,000 worth of new equipment."

The brand-new equipment will include two rowing machines, four battle rope stations, an additional Smith machine, Hammer Strength selectorized equipment and an additional multi-rack. 
 
In addition to the new weight room, the fitness center will finally have a room dedicated to group style aerobics. The new aerobics room will receive fresh paint, as well as two mirrored walls and hardwood flooring specifically designed for group aerobics.

"The cardio room will house the treadmills and elliptical machines and will receive new paint, ceiling fans and rubber flooring," Anderson said. "The wall pads in the parent/child room are being re-upholstered and the room will feature a child-friendly mural of Whiteman aircraft."

According to Anderson, these renovations will relieve some of the congestion in the current weight room.

"This will offer customers twice the equipment," Anderson said. "The weight room is one of our higher traffic areas. The improvements will also allow us to have a room solely dedicated to group-style aerobics. Almost every room in the facility will be touched."

"Another great feature will be the Shoot-A-Way Gun 8000 basketball trainer," Anderson said. "It is essentially a batting cage for basketball. This will be housed in the Eagle Gym."

The changes to the fitness center will provide team Whiteman with the convenience of being able to fulfill their workout needs without having to wait in line for equipment. 

"The new gym is not only going to be beneficial to me, but to everyone on base as well," said Airman 1st Class Irvin Bryant, 509th Munitions Squadron commander's support staff. "Weight machines, benches and squat racks in the past have always been full, which can cause people to leave because of the limited space. I think building a new gym is a great idea and will inspire more Airmen and civilians to come to our gym to work out."