New body, new view

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Shandresha Mitchell
  • 6th Air Mobility Wing public affairs
MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  The Short Fitness Center celebrated the completion of renovations to improve the facility for its patrons with a ribbon cutting Jan. 31, 2014.

The old free-weight room has been under construction since July 2013 while builders added a second floor mezzanine.

"The need for more for gym space was identified almost four years ago," commented Col. Scott DeThomas, 6th Air Mobility Wing commander. "This was a great project that added over 2,200 square feet to a room only being half used."

The free-weight room remains virtually the same housing 25,000 pounds of weights; however, the cardio equipment is now located on the new u-shaped, second floor mezzanine. An elevator was installed to provide access for patrons with disabilities and other physical ailments.

Since the cardio equipment was moved to the mezzanine, cardio rooms one and two are available.

The gym repurposed cardio room one by installing spin cycles and a "Fitness on Request" kiosk, which contains pre-loaded workouts led by a virtual instructor and transformed cardio room two into a new abdominal workout and stretching area.

By relocating the spin-cycles, the room previously used for spin classes has been transformed into an additional aerobics room such as the one located on the second floor, with a virtual instructor kiosk. The virtual instructor kiosk will offer spin, step and aerobic classes.

"It's important for us to embrace a healthy lifestyle as we continue to monitor and mentor those around us," stated DeThomas. "We set the conditions to make sure we stay fit."