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Here to help: The HAWC offers more than just Fitness Assessments

  • Published
  • By Sott King
  • 92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. --  The Health and Wellness Center here is determined to get the word out that they are a good place to start achieving better health through nutrition, exercise and education. They strive to provide people with the knowledge and tools to begin living in a healthier way.

"Excellent health is achievable by everyone," said Mr. Alexander Eclar, Health Promotion Manager for the HAWC. "So often we limit ourselves by believing that our parent's or our grandparent's health determines ours. That means that if our parents had Diabetes Type II, we would too. That's not the way it works. We achieve our level of fitness by the commitment we show to living a healthy lifestyle."

The HAWC offers a variety of classes, services and consultations free-of-charge, that are available to all active duty, retired military personnel, their family members and Department of Defense civilians. Their staff consists of an exercise physiologist, registered dietitian and a health educator/health promotion manager.

Group classes offered are obstetrics and gynecology, third trimester pregnancy class, tobacco cessation and fitness and nutrition.

Individual consultations include body fat testing, gait analysis, nutritional counseling and an individual exercise program.

"We are trying to change the perception of why we are here, Mr. Eclar said. "We're not just the place to come when people get in trouble with their fitness assessment. We're here to equip people to exceed in their physical training. We also help people avoid killer diseases like heart disease, cancer, stroke and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease."

The center has a bod-pod, a machine that can measure body composition and give people a reading of fat percentage, fat free mass and estimated resting metabolic rate. That's good information to know as people begin an exercise program or weight loss program. They offer a gait analysis lab that will show imbalances in muscle
development, which muscles are tight and which ones need to be strengthened. The compensations in movement can cause injuries as people exercise, and maybe even the need for new type of shoes to wear.

We also have a relaxation room with soft music, dim lights, a seasonal affective disorder lamp and a massage chair, he said. Our library has books and DVDs on a wide array of topics concerning health and living well. Popular exercise DVDs are also available for check out.

The exercise roomhas exercise areas with cardio and weight equipment. Separate male and female locker rooms with showers are available.

The HAWC is located in Bldg. 2248-C. Its hours of operation are Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. for more information on their programs, classes and scheduling call 247-5590.