ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga .–
Everyone can use a little help at times to achieve their goals.
The Warrior Improvement Program, formerly known as the Fitness Improvement Program, at Robins Air Force Base Fitness Center, aims to help Airmen prepare for their fitness assessment while building their basic strength and cardiovascular fitness.
Patrick Stone, installation exercise physiologist for the 78th Force Support Squadron, said the program’s new name was chosen to reflect how Airmen should be viewed – for the “warriors” that they are.
The WIP is a step in building an aviator’s fitness level, Stone said.
“It’s both a way to prepare for the fitness assessment and to build basic strength and cardiovascular fitness,” he said. “This will enable the transition to more advanced training programs that we make available to all airmen.”
Stone said the program, held at 7 a.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays in the base’s old gym in Building 827, is designed to familiarize Airmen with how the fitness test works for optimal success.
“Training specificity is a big thing in building a training program,” he said. “The concept behind WIP is to get the fliers used to the components of the fitness assessment. It involves focusing on the calisthenics and it runs on a repetitive schedule. The fliers do well on the exam and get the basic fitness they need to get into the intermediate and advanced workouts that we offer in the Warrior Athlete Program. “
In addition, the Robins Fitness Center is working with the 78th Medical Group to provide a so-called “Human Performance Hub” for airmen.
“Twice a week, all Warrior Improvement Program and Warrior Athlete Program fliers have access to a nutritionist, health promotion coordinator and physical therapist,” he said. These resources are invaluable to the Airmen and will improve their performance during training. “
Stone said the program helped Airmen achieve great fitness test results.
“In the five years I’ve been running the program, we’ve had over 400 participants and a test success rate of over 99%, with nearly 72% of that 99% doing excellent,” he said. “The program is successful because of its simplicity and the use of the airmen involved.”
While some Airmen are referred to the program by their command of command, Stone said that most participants join the program voluntarily.
“Enrolling is pretty easy,” he says. “The planes just show up and start training.”
Stone said he and his colleagues in the fitness center are available to aviators on their fitness journey.
“We are thrilled with the success of the fliers we see in our training programs,” he said. “We are here to offer our resources to every member of the military on the basis. Do not wait. Come to me or David Yann, the fitness program coordinator at the fitness center, as soon as possible and we will point you in the right direction to achieve your fitness goals. “
For more information on the Warrior Improvement Program, call the Robins Fitness Center at 478-926-2128.
