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New class bringing positive change to Niagara PT scores

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Andrew Caya
  • 914th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
NIAGARA FALLS AIR RESERVE STATION, N.Y. --  Those feeling a sense of dread about fitness testing here are finding a bit of relief through a fitness regimen created by a 914th Airlift Wing first sergeant.

The routines are a mix of traditional and untraditional exercises that keeps participants on their toes. Discussions about the class have people asking not if they will take the class; rather, conversations revolve around the question "can you take it?"

Using her skills as a certified physical trainer, Master Sgt. Charity Edwards, 914th Force Support Squadron, developed and implemented a free cross training fitness class open to military members, spouses and government civilians.

The class uses free weights, spinning bikes, aerobic steps, kettle bells, medicine balls, suspension straps, stability balls, BOSU trainers, yoga and martial arts techniques. No two workout sessions are the same.

"The students have no idea what's coming," said Edwards.

Many who take the class know they need to do something-- they don't know what-- so they come to this class, said Edwards.

"This class is designed for overall fitness," said Edwards. "Everyone who is in this class has dropped a lot of weight and their body composition has changed."

Edwards mentioned an Airman who failed the PT Test and was almost separated from the military. She urged the Airman to join her fitness class. Five months and 50 pounds later, the Airman earned a 91 percent on the PT test.

This class emphasizes the latest trends in the fitness industry and meshes with the Air Force's push on fitness and fitness testing. This program is one of the ways people can work to improve their fitness score and more importantly their overall health, said Mike Williams, fitness center director.

Niagara's leadership watched the program grow and helped to fuel the desire for the increased health of their members.

"Base leadership helped us acquire the equipment the class needed to help Master Sgt. Edwards and the students succeed," said Williams. "Without a commitment from senior leadership assisting us with the resources, Master Sgt. Edwards wouldn't have the flexibility of doing all of these things in the class."

Williams said the new equipment coupled with the instruction from Edwards brought new faces to the fitness center, eager to up their fitness levels.

The variety of the workouts is what brings the students back again and again, said Williams. This class incorporates multiple facets of fitness exercises so the participants won't get a stale workout.

While this rigor may seem daunting to a workout newbie, Edwards said that she safely pushes participants to personal limits, not the limits of other people.

What makes this class so successful is how Edwards interacts with the students, said Williams. The workouts are tailored to the individuals; the students are doing what they are capable of doing and working to their maximum fitness level.

"We started this class with about six or eight people. Now, we consistently have more than 25 people per class. That's a pretty good sign that people like what's happening in that class. They like the atmosphere and they feel it's inviting for them to come," said Williams.

"With just a little bit of effort you can score in the 90 to 100 percent range on your PT test, why not offer that? If you put the effort in, you will score really high. When you put effort in, you will see your body change, your lifestyle change, your health and mind change. People love it, and they keep coming back," said Edwards.