Strong BANDS promotes healthy living

By Nathan Pfau, Army Flier Staff WriterMay 3, 2012

Strong BANDS promotes healthy living
(Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT RUCKER, Ala. (May 3, 2012) -- April showers have come and gone, and now it's time for May flowers, and National Fitness and Sports Month.

Summer is on the heels of everyone at Fort Rucker beckoning them to get their bodies ready for beach season, and people can do just that as the Directorate of Family, Morale, Welfare and Recreation is participating in the Strong BANDS campaign, said Janice Erdlitz, marketing director for Fort Rucker DFMWR.

The goal of Strong BANDS, which stands for balanced lifestyle, actively motivated, nutritional health, determined to excel and strength and conditioning, is to promote and highlight opportunities for Soldiers and Families to stay fit -- not just physically but mentally as well, said Erdlitz

"Installation Management Command MWR created the promotion to energize and inspire communities Army-wide about healthy lifestyles that support resiliency," she said.

Fort Rucker will host various events throughout the month to support the Strong BANDS campaign starting with Beach Body Bingo.

"[Beach Body Bingo] is a new program that was developed to encourage people to get into the gym and work out," said Lori Ciranni, manager of sports, fitness and aquatics at the Fort Rucker Physical Fitness Facility.

Beach Body Bingo will run from May 1-25 and all people have to do to participate is do their normal exercise routines consisting of strength exercises, cardio, or fitness classes at either fitness facility to earn a space on a Bingo card, said Erdlitz.

"All people have to do is go to either of the fitness facilities, grab a form to register and start working out," said Ciranni. "It's just that easy and the more they work out and the more spots they get on their Bingo card, the better chance they have at winning a prize."

Some of the prizes include a free personal training package, a free month of fitness classes, five-day passes to Splash! water park, and a 30-minute body massage, according to Erdlitz.

Fort Rucker will also be having an Army 10-mile run off and team relay May 12 for Strong BANDS for those who like to take their physical activities outside of the gym, said the marketing director.

Preregistration for the event is $20 before Saturday at either fitness facility, $25 from Sunday to race day, and registration for a five-person relay team is $10 per person.

The Fort Rucker PFF's sports, fitness and aquatics program will also hold workshops for those that wish to get into shape for triathlons with their Triathlon Training Program, according to Erdlitz.

"There will be two workshops May 12 and June 2 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and people should bring running shoes, a bike, goggles and a change of clothes," she said.

The training program is free and will be held at Flynn Pool located behind the post-exchange.

For more information on the program, call 255-9162.

Erdlitz said people can get involved in any of these programs in support of Strong BANDS by stopping by either fitness facility to sign up for any of the events and if people feel they aren't ready to participate in any of the events, they should ask what they can do to get on a fitness plan to get them "Army Strong."

"We want to promote fitness and health," said Ciranni. "A lot of people make their New Year's resolutions and give up on them by February. This is just another boost to try to get people going."

For more information on Strong BANDS or the events, call 255-9810.