Fitness just a step away

  • Published
  • By Stephen M.Fuller
  • 71st Flying Training Wing Public Affairs
VANCE AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  In a proactive effort to get teens and their parents into the habits of being active, a fitness center addition for the teen center here, was spearheaded by Eagle Scout Parker Phillips. The fitness room, completed at the end of April 2008, was Parker's community service project in earning the rank of Eagle Scout. Parker and several other Boy Scouts worked to plan the room and put it together for the teens at Vance. 

Having the room right there at the teen center makes it easier to fit exercise into a daily schedule. According to the Surgeon General, sixty minutes of exercise a day is recommended. "That's the benchmark, but teens don't always get that at school," said Kate Holdeman, youth programs coordinator at Vance. 

The room helps teens participate in FitFactor, a Web and incentive-based program with more than 200 activities that are geared toward individuals, league sports, instructional classes and school activities. 

"With the fitness room right here at the teen center, youth can walk over anytime during the day and work towards earning more points," said Ms. Holdeman. Teens can earn 100 points per day by using the facility, as well as points for other goals that are accomplished. 

Points can then be exchanged for prizes later on. "Having a points and rewards system helps encourage teens to stay healthy, giving them an incentive to keep exercising," said Ms. Holdeman. The idea behind FitFactor is remaining active every day, because habits take a long time to form. "Our goal is to not only motivate the teens to exercise now, but to teach them to increase their self-esteem and get on a healthy lifestyle path that will be continued throughout their adult years." 

The room is equipped with a treadmill, recumbent bike, a rowing machine, Stairmaster, boxing speed-bag kit, Core Balls and a soft-floor area for yoga, Pilates, or Tai-Chi. "We have also installed a 47-inch flat screen television so teens can watch movies and videos while they are exercising," explained Ms. Holdeman. "They can watch DVD's on how to do yoga, Tai-Chi, and other related exercises." 

The teen center is open from 4-8 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 4-11 p.m. Friday; and 3-11 p.m. on Saturday. 

For more information or to sign up for FitFactor and use the fitness area at the Teen Center, call 213-6762 or 213-7166.