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Civilian personal trainer helps military members reach their goals

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Teresa M. Jennings
  • 375th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. --  With today's fitness standards, more Airmen are making an effort to improve the quality of their training regimen. One way they can do that is by enlisting the help of personal trainers who are available through the Enhanced Fitness Program at base fitness centers.

That's what Staff Sgt. David Johnson did. About three months ago Johnson was passing his PT test with 75.

"I wanted to get into better shape," said Johnson, 375th Force Support Squadron James Sports Center operations manager. "I knew I needed to change my lifestyle."

That's when Johnson met a personal trainer working at the James Gym.

The Enhanced Fitness Program currently has two contracted personal trainers on a fee for service basis. One trainer, Omar Acosta, has been a personal trainer, power lifter and body builder for more than 30 years. Maria Vergara, another personal trainer, has been a certified personal trainer through the National Academy of Sports and Medicine with seven years of experience.

The Enhanced Fitness Program picks up where the Fitness Program leaves off. Fitness staff who have completed advanced training can gauge fitness level, interpret results, establish program designs and exercise prescriptions. This is all part of the Fitness Program, but customers requiring one-on-one training are referred to the Enhanced Fitness Program. This is where the contracted personal trainers step in.

The personal trainers will show students how to properly perform the exercise, what muscles it works and why the exercise is important. The personal trainers work with all body types and different goal sets. Their main focus for military members is passing their PT test, but also works on weight loss and muscle gain.

The personal trainers currently have plenty of openings and interested individuals will need to contact each personal trainer to schedule an initial consultation.

Though the road to a healthier, fitter life may be difficult, people like Johnson knows it's worth it.

"The workouts are so intense," said Sergeant Johnson. "At first everything was so hard; I couldn't finish one set of a workout. But over time my endurance and strength have improved. The motivation provided by the personal trainers make coming to the gym and working out enjoyable, because I know I'm getting an awesome workout and improving my physical fitness."