Spring brings fitness bug

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Amber Russell
  • 39th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey --  It seems almost cliché to open a fitness article with phrases like, "spring is arriving, get trim now," or "time yet again for bathing-suit season," but this spring is fit to fight with the start of new classes at Incirlik's Fitness Center. 

"We have some awesome classes that have been integrated into our schedule," said Ernest Fasoldt, 39th Force Support Squadron fitness and sports director. "We've introduced war fighter's workout, yogalaties, an upcoming trial period Zumba class and many more." 

Yogalaties, introduced by Louise Solomon, an Australian yoga practitioner, is another class that incorporates different techniques into its circle of "trickery" fitness. Yogalaties is made up of "yoga" and "Pilates;" both practices involve attaining specific postures, emphasize breathing and meditation. 

"Yoga helps increase flexibility and I personally find the poses as a good challenge," said Denise Storey, instructor at the Fitness Center. "Pilates is a good core workout."

"The two disciplines have several moves in common, especially in more advance classes where Yogalaties came about," said Ms. Storey.

Yogalaties is known to be ideal for those needing to strengthen their backs, those suffering from arthritis or osteoporosis, and post-natal women. It develops general tone and fitness in the body while said to create a sense of inner calm, relaxation and overall well-being. 

Ms. Storey has been a certified group instructor for approximately 25 years. She took a variation of yoga called "Flexible Strength" by ReebokTM, on a regular basis seven years ago, and eventually started teaching it. Two years later, she became a certified pilates instructor. 

Ms. Storey teaches the Yogalaties class at the Incirlik Fitness Center. 

Named after the Colombian slang word meaning "to buzz like a bee or move fast" and founded by Alberto Perlman and Beto Perez, Zumba has been a hit craze for several years. 

Though, according to the American Council on Exercise, specialty classes like the latin-inspired Zumba will be one of the leading fitness trends of 2009. 

The class is led with merengue and salsa music, mixing dance steps with fitness moves such as lunges and knee lifts. Jessica Peris, 39th Communication Squadron, was introduced to Zumba at Yokota Air Base, Japan. 

"Within my first class, I was hooked," said Ms. Peris. "I knew I was moving to Incirlik already, so to bring my new-found passion with me, I decided to get certified to teach it." 

After being in class from January to mid-March, Ms. Peris was a certified instructor. She got her first taste of teaching when Yokota's own instructor went on leave and asked her to fill in for the class. 

"I used to be a services Airman," said Ms. Peris. "I spent half my years in the Air Force working at the Yokota Fitness Center, teaching cycling, aerobics and circuit training classes; I have a small background in fitness that extends past Zumba." 

Ms. Peris taught the first introductory course Saturday morning, April 4. Depending on the response from the class, the fitness center will then move on to incorporate the class into its permanent schedule. 

Zumba and Yogalaties are just two unique classes at Incirlik's fitness center. 

"Back in December, we took a close look at the group exercise classes being offered to make sure they were meeting customer needs," said Mr. Fasoldt. "We ran consecutive surveys, an online survey led by our marketing professionals and a hardcopy survey right here at the fitness center. 

"We took the feedback seriously and revitalized our programming by adding new classes at the most desired time frames." 

The non-appropriated classes carry a fee of three dollars per session; these fees allow the fitness center to defray costs and offer more diverse classes. 

The 39 FSS marketing team helped with finding the instructors for these classes. The instructors for the appropriated fund are coordinated through the contracting office. All instructors must be certified in cardiopulmonary resuscitation and approved by the Headquarters Services Agency. 

"Having fun, being challenged and also having room for personal expression is everything a workout should consist of," said Ms. Peris. 

Check out the Fitness Center for a schedule of upcoming spring classes or contact the Fitness Center at 676-6086.

No federal endorsement of Reebok™ or Zumba® is implied or given.