SHAPE saving careers, raising fitness levels the safe way

  • Published
  • By Nick Stubbs
  • Thunderbolt editor
MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  There may be no free lunch when it comes to fitness, but the MacDill Health and Wellness Center has lots of free, safe solutions for those looking to trim a few pounds or otherwise increase their overall fitness level.

The programs and strategies offered by the HAWC are based on sound, proven tactics for weight loss, and increasing strength and endurance without dangerous diets, suspect supplements or risky surgery.

With the Air Force fitness requirement bar raised to its highest level yet, these programs can be career savers for Airmen who have failed, or fear they might not pass their fitness test.

"They (Airmen) are looking for fast (solutions)," said Joan Craft, HAWC director. "But there is no fast way; body wraps, liposuction and crash diets can be unsafe and they don't last."

The buzz at the HAWC now is all about the new Superior Health Assessment Program Enterprise. SHAPE is a mandatory assessment and corrective process for Airmen who have failed their fitness test, and features customized programs and monitoring on an individual basis to ensure the specific needs of each Airmen are being met.

All SHAPE members meet with a coach to evaluate identify and target trouble areas. Based on the result, the member is placed in one or more of three programs to address the primary components of the fitness test - abdominal circumference, run/walk and strength. Members attend weekly appointments with their coaches for 15 to 30 minutes for each component failure.

The new program is a leap ahead of what was previously used to address fitness test failures in that it involves a high level of tracking and personal attention, said Ms. Craft.
In addition to SHAPE, Airmen also can take advantage of free diet and exercise programs and advice, as well as HAWC equipment such as the Bod Pod body fat analysis machine.

"To go to a private source for a Bod Pod session could cost you $400," said Ms. Craft. "Here it's free, and you can meet with our dietician or diet technician or exercise program specialists for free."

The following is a description of the three component areas SHAPE covers:

Abdominal Circumference
- Metabolism test; body composition test to determine energy needs; nutrition program established
- Follow-up visit to review progress, education and set expectations
- AC measurements, weigh ins and nutritional counseling; lifestyle changes

Run/walk
- Review information to determine failure circumstances
- Analyze and review current program to maximize weekly progress
- Establish targets for progress and establish a training record
- Set targets for follow-up visits

Strength
- Review information to determine failure circumstances
- Analyze and review current program to maximize weekly progress
- Establish targets for progress and establish a training record
- Set targets for follow-up visits
- Component progress check and instruction