RUFit? Advanced fitness program pushes Airmen

  • Published
  • By 1st Lt. Korey Fratini
  • 65th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
LAJES FIELD, Azores, Portugal --  A new fitness opportunity available to all Airmen recently opened here. The Elite Fitness room at the Chase Fitness center offers Airmen the chance to take part in an advanced fitness program.

Under the direction of coaches 1st Lt. Corey Rakes, 65th Comptroller Flight, and Chief Master Sgt. John Storms, 65th Mission Support Group superintendent, Airmen are able to experience something that had not been offered previously. Both are certified trainers for this type of advance fitness program.

"The elite fitness room is designed and setup with equipment for an advanced fitness program," said Rakes. "In terms of equipment we looked at the type of program we wanted to run. Based on the room constraints and capabilities we wanted to put into this program, we built a room that had equipment that would best optimize the fitness program."

Through an initiative between wing leadership and the staff at the Chase Fitness Center to build an elite fitness room, the idea became reality within six months. As part of the RUfit? physical fitness program, leadership wanted to offer Airmen more opportunities to meet their fitness needs and goals.

Classes are offered by Rakes and Storms Monday through Friday. One class begins at 6 a.m. and the other begins at 5:30 p.m. at the Chase Fitness Center. Anyone is welcome to attend the class regardless of fitness ability.

"It doesn't matter if you have never done it before or if you have been doing it for eight years. It is a program designed to challenge you as an individual and in a group setting," says Rakes. "This program is scalable and can be tailored to the individual's level of fitness"

The program is designed to meet general physical preparedness. The coaches look at the ten general physical skills that include cardiovascular, stamina, strength, flexibility, power, speed, coordination, agility, balance and accuracy when designing the workouts. 

"We are going to train to all of those elements," said Storms. You are going to be a well-rounded physical individual."

The advanced fitness program is designed to be different every day. Those who take part in these workouts will experience a different kind of fitness than traditional fitness courses.

"The program is basically broken down into three words, varied, functional and intense. You are not going to get bored. It is different every day. The average person does not know what we are going to do day to day until they get there," says Storms.

Tech. Sgt. Benjamin Weintraub, 65th Mission Support Group, has been attending the classes for over two months since they began. For him the program challenges him in a variety of different ways.

"You get to see what your body is capable of doing. Not only physically but mentally as well," said Weintraub. "This style of workout has been life changing for me. Primarily when you alter your fitness and eating habits that allows you to get the most out of any program. Overall you have a better mood and you are reducing your stress."

As coaches of the advance fitness program Rakes and Storms design the different workouts but are also there to help individuals meet their fitness goals. One of the most important aspects to their coaching in ensuring individual are executing proper technique.

"I do the programming with inputs from 1st Lt. Rakes. We run folks through the warm-up then explain the different movements for the day. Then we go through a demonstration with drills and turn them loose and correct their form as they go," says Storms. "We don't want people to get hurt. We preach consistent technique before adding intensity and stick to it."

For both coaches who are very passionate about this style of fitness, it is about sharing their experiences with others by challenging individuals to push themselves.

"It is fun and challenging and I like helping others reach their fitness goals. I have a passion for this and I wanted to share this with other people," said Rakes. "I want to help people become fit, healthy and have fun all while challenging themselves."

Rakes and Storms encourage anyone who is willing to give an honest effort and challenge themselves physically and mentally to come out and try the advanced fitness program.

Storms says "Come out! But be prepared to work. It is going to tax you in ways you have never felt before."

If you are interesting in joining one of these classes or have questions speak to 1st Lt. Rakes or Chief Master Sgt. Storms.