ARPC expands fitness area

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  • By Mike Molina
  • Editor
DENVER --  Employees at the Air Reserve Personnel Center have more choices when it comes to staying fit. Officials opened an expanded fitness area Monday that includes a 1,100- square foot strength-training room and more than $50,000 in new equipment.

"This was a quality-of-life initiative to upgrade our fitness areas and support the Air Force's 'Fit to Fight'," said Mary Garin, installation site manager. "People have a lot more choices now."

The upgrades include $53,000 of new equipment, including six new treadmills and six new elliptical machines. To make room for the new cardio equipment, officials created separate cardio and strength training rooms. The expansion increases the size of the fitness areas to nearly 3,700 square feet.

"We've gotten a lot of positive comments on the cardio equipment. They're our most popular items," Ms. Garin said. "And it's always nice to have new stuff."

The fitness area at ARPC was built in 2004 after officials decided it was necessary to accommodate the fitness requirements of Airmen at the Buckley Annex.

This is the second expansion of the fitness area since its origin. In 2005, ARPC increased the size of the fitness area to make room for strength training equipment.

There are plans to continue upgrades to the fitness center with more stretching mats, fit balls and pilates bands, Ms. Garin said.

The gyms are open to all military and federal civilian employees, and are accessible any time. The gyms are not staffed, and Ms. Garin reminded exercisers to stay safe while working out.

"We want to encourage employees to use the buddy system," she said. "It's not only good for motivation, it's important for safety."