FORT STEWART, GA -- About 200 Soldiers and their Family Members jump started their new year with exercise at Newman Fitness Center's 12th annual Aerobathon, Jan. 24.

"When everyone is out making a New Year's resolution to lose weight, this event presents alternatives to fitness," said Jake Battle, Directorate of Morale Welfare and Recreation fitness activities supervisor. "The key for everyone here is to come out, have a great time and get a good workout."

Battle also saw the aerobathon as an opportunity to provide support to the local community.

"We want to bring not only the military community together but the local community to promote fitness," he said.

The event featured hip-hop dancing, kick boxing, step aerobics, pilates, Tai-Chi, belly dancing, salsa, and Zumba. Zumba is a combination of Brazilian, Latin and Caribbean dancing.

The event also had nutrition consultation, body-fat analysis, a personal trainer to consult people on an effective workout routine, and blood pressure readings.

"I like to work out in my free time," said Pfc. Jacqueline Padilla, a human resources specialist with the 3rd Sustainment Brigade. "This is a great way to do exercise (other than) Army physical training."

While the participants enjoyed the event, the instructors said they enjoyed teaching.

"I thought they did awesome," said Tamra Konczey, who taught the hip-hop dance course. "I love to teach. Normally, I'm a shy person. But when I'm up there, I'm trying to motivate, I feed off of the energy of the group, it inspires me to do better."

Battle thought the event was a success.

"It went great," he said. "Everybody got involved, they showed a lot of enthusiasm, and they're getting healthy. We've been doing this for 12 years. I am very happy with the turnout. We had instructors from all over the area where we got the community involved and everyone did a fantastic job."

-30-