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HAWC's new fitness center home

  • Published
  • By Lt. Col. Matthew Albright
  • 92nd Aerospace Medicine Squadron
FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. --  The Health and Wellness Center is now conveniently co-located within the new fitness center, thus providing greater exposure, convenience and utilization to the health and wellness resources offered to those that have access to Fairchild Air Force Base.

One of the more popular classes is a bi-monthly running clinic that assists participants in a running program, shoe selection and running form technique via a high definition video assessment. The objective of the clinic is to help individuals run faster with fewer injuries.

They also offer a nutrition class that focuses on making healthy food choices to improve fitness performance and achieve a healthy weight. A great component to this course is that it includes a cooking demonstration and food sampling. Within the HAWC one will find a variety of classes for physical training leaders and testers, strength training seminars and behavioral modification classes like "BEWELL" and tobacco cessation.

The HAWC'S state-of-the-art kitchen offers cooking and nutrition demonstrations and the classroom area allows for larger class sizes with more interactive and effective instruction. The assessment room is home to the Bod Pod, which is a tool used to accurately measure body fat and lean muscle mass. The Bod Pod is a great tool for both beginners starting a new exercise program and for experienced fitness enthusiasts who want to confirm their current program is providing the results they desire. The assessment room is also used to conduct individual functional movement assessments.

Equally as impressive as the new HAWC facility is the staff of educators teaching these courses. Kevin Egger has more than 15 years of experience working with the Air Force and has an additional 15 years in the private sector as an exercise physiologist and running coach. With a master's degree in exercise physiology and biomechanics and certifications from both the American College of Sports Medicine and the National Academy of Sports Medicine, he is truly one of the most knowledgeable and experienced exercise physiologist's in the Air Force.

Mrs. Alyson Kresser is the registered dietitian and has been with the HAWC for the last five years. Kresser obtained her bachelor's degree in family and consumer sciences. She serves in an advisory role on the nutrition program for the total base work force and as the nutrition consultant for the medical facility. Kresser is well known throughout the Fairchild community for her compassion, dedication and knowledge that she provides to the families she works with.

Stop by or call to improve your health and wellness! Walk through the main entrance of the fitness center and straight to the back where the HAWC is located on the left.

The HAWC's new hours of operation are Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. For more information call 247-5590.