Instructors promote fitness lifestyles

Published Oct. 9, 2012
By Staff Sgt. Carl Berry
434 ARW Public Affairs

GRISSOM AIR RESERVE BASE, Ind. -- The Grissom Fitness Center has three new fitness instructors with the same goal -- helping Airmen get into the best physical shape possible.

The new instructors all provide something different. Zachery Holmes specializes in distance running, Chris Wiley specializes in personal and group training, and Kasey Potts specializes in making fitness fun.

Holmes is a recreation assistant and fitness instructor here. He currently teaches a fitness assessment improvement class on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:15- 4:15 p.m.

"My whole purpose for being here is to help Airmen prepare for the physical fitness test," shared Holmes.

In the class Holmes, who has been running long distances since the age of 13, helps participants with their running form and how to prevent injuries. He also works on other components like sit-ups and push-ups.

"Most injuries are often caused by the type of shoes people wear when running," said Holmes. "Anyone experiencing pain while running should let me take a look at the soles of their running shoes, because I will be able to tell them if their foot is striking awkwardly."

Holmes said he not only wants to help Airmen to perform better on the physical fitness test, but also wants to help Airmen to enjoy running.

"As an instructor at Kirkland Air Force Base, N.M., I was able to a get a group of people interested in running longer distance to run in the Air Force half marathon," shared Holmes. "It would be great to send a group of Airmen to represent Grissom at the half marathon."

When it comes to abdominal circumference, Wiley is the person to see.

"My main goal is to get everyone I work with to score no less than 90 percent on their physical fitness test," shared Wiley. "I firmly believe that if we set realistic goals and strive for them we will meet our goals, all we have to do is believe - believing is the key."

Wiley's main focus is helping Airmen bring down their abdominal circumference, which makes up 20 percent of the fitness score.

"A lot of people come to me in good shape, they're able to pass the push-up, sit-up, and run portions of the test with no problem, but fail the abdominal circumference part of the test," shared Wiley. "The first thing I tell them is to cut back on the protein, because what people don't realize is that too much protein will affect your circumference score."

Wiley also instructs a full body circuit training workout that only uses a person's body weight for resistance. The class meets Wednesday's from noon to 1 p.m.

"(A) suspension training class is a great way of strengthening muscles, the only thing I require from participants is maximum effort, because I want them to get maximum results," he added.

Kasey Potts completes the trio by adding some fun to fitness. Potts instructs Zumba at the fitness center on Mondays and Fridays from 3:15- 4:15 p.m., and will be adding a yoga class in the near future.

"My workouts are intense and participants will do more than 200 lunges and squats and not realize it until later because they're having fun," she said. "Zumba combines dance and fitness in a non-intimidating way, so beginners and the more advanced can take the same class."

Grissom provides the tools for Airmen to succeed, but Airmen need to use the tools. Traditional reservist that need help with their physical fitness test or just want advice can schedule an appointment with any of the instructors by contacting the fitness center at ext. 2000.

The 434th ARW is the largest KC-135R Stratotanker unit in the Air Force Reserve Command. From Grissom Air Reserve Base, Airmen and aircraft from the 434th ARW routinely deploy around the world in support of the Air Force mission and U.S. strategic objectives.

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