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Niagara participates in National Employee Fitness Day

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Matthew Burke
  • 914th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
NIAGARA FALLS AIR RESERVE STATION, N.Y. --  Members of the base participated in National Employee Fitness Day May 20.

The 914th Force Support Squadron promoted the event as Under the Big Top, which would allow installation personnel the opportunity to enjoy exercising in a unique format. Unfortunately, weather constraints prevented the event from being conducted as originally planned.

National Employee Health and Fitness Day is a national observance celebrated the third Wednesday in May. It was created to promote the benefits of physical activity for employees through their work site health promotion activities.

"We were going to have a tent (outside) and the plan was to have the exercise circuits under it to give it a circus theme," said Maj. Kenneth Enser, 914th FSS commander. "However, Mother Nature isn't cooperating and we were unable to get the tent up due to high winds."

The event was moved to the base fitness center where the staff adapted to a scaled down version of the observance and adjusted the format while still providing multiple cardiovascular exercises as well as muscular strength exercises for upper and lower body.
 
"The goal of today was still to promote workplace fitness," said Michael Williams, 914th FSS recreation director,. "The benefits of a healthier lifestyle include: fewer sick days, increased morale and reduced cost of medical insurance."

The event, now in its fifth year, usually draws upwards of 50 participants, saw a smaller showing due to the restraints of schedules and weather. Regardless, the fitness center staff of Deana Sikora, Mike Scibilia, and Sam Scalzo, who are certified Military and First Responder Exercise Leaders, conducted a fun and challenging experience. Refreshments were provided for those in attendance.