FORT RUCKER, Ala. (February 13, 2014) -- Many people say that the hardest part about working out is finding the motivation to get up and do it, but a new, free program is trying to help by providing a little push to help get in shape.
Gym Rats is available at Fort Rucker's fitness centers that allows people on the installation to become part of an exclusive club that members have to work at to earn, according to Lynn Avila, Fort Rucker fitness program coordinator.
The program requires participants to complete 100 days of fitness activities, whether through classes at either fitness center or workouts in the gym, but either way, fitness center staff members must sign off to get credit, said Avila. After 100 days is complete, the participant will be awarded an official Gym Rats T-shirt that is only available to those who complete the program.
"This program came about to really encourage people to join more of our fitness classes or to get into the gym," said the fitness coordinator. "We just want to help people reach their fitness goals, and sometimes even a small goal like this can motivate them to do that."
Avila said that people don't have to complete the 100 days of fitness in a row, but can take their time with it over the course of a year, if needed. It's more than just a T-shirt that people are shooting for, but the goal of striving for a healthy lifestyle.
"It's so easy to find yourself in a rut, and this is something that can help keep people interested in coming to the gym," she said. "That's our main goal -- to keep people healthy and in shape, but people still have to get up and achieve that goal themselves."
Just about any fitness program qualifies for a sign-off on the Gym Rats program, but Boot Camp is excluded from the program because it has an exclusive membership of its own for those that complete it, said Avila.
"We already give out T-shirts for that program, which you can only get by participating," she said. "Also, Boot Camp runs for six weeks straight, so that would be an unfair advantage."
But just because someone is in Boot Camp doesn't mean that they can't take part in Gym Rats, added Avila. Boot Camp offers its participants free access to any of the fitness classes at the gyms, so people can still take advantage of those classes and get signed off to count toward their 100 days.
Although there is no cost for Gym Rats, if people wish to participate in the fitness classes, the cost is either $3.50 per class or $30 a month for unlimited classes, Avila said.
"You just can't beat a deal like that," she said. "If you take more than one class a day, which people are more than welcome to, the cost comes out to less than a dollar a day," adding that all class instructors are certified.
For more information, call 255-3794 or 255-2296, or visit either Fort Rucker fitness center.
Related Links:
USAACE and Fort Rucker on Twitter
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