JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas -- A 24/7 fitness center for staff looking to shape up or unwind officially opened for business in Brooke Army Medical Center June 21.
Maj. Gen. Joseph Caravalho Jr., BAMC Commander Brig. Gen. Jeffrey Johnson, and BAMC Command Sgt. Maj. Albert Crews cut the ribbon to mark the opening of the new badge-access-only gym. The gym, located in the atrium near the Garden entrance, features a variety of cardiovascular equipment and 305 pounds of free weights, with more equipment on the way.
"We're excited to offer our staff a safe, convenient area to focus on fitness," Johnson said.
The project was years in the making, the commander noted. In 2011, resiliency group members asked former commander, then-Brig. Gen. Caravalho, if a fitness area could be created solely for staff.
"I was approached on many fronts," said Caravalho, who is now the Joint Staff Surgeon. "It was clearly a high-interest need for the staff."
The popular suggestion remained on the table for five years, Johnson said, gaining even more traction as the Performance Triad of activity, sleep and nutrition became ingrained in Army culture.
"It was strange for us to talk about fitness and the Triad, but not execute it here," Johnson said. "But that is going to change today."
Caravalho said he was excited to see a popular staff suggestion brought to fruition years later. "I think this gym is going to be a highly prized asset," he said. "I'm proud of the BAMC team and very happy that the gym is now open."
The ribbon cutting was followed by an equipment demonstration, mini-health fair and healthy snacks within the atrium.
Capt. Jacqueline Just stayed after to try out the equipment and to get her heart rate up.
"I wanted a gym here for the longest time. I'm ecstatic," she said, while using an aerobic step. "No one has any excuses now to not work out."
While the gym is ready for action, there's much more to come, noted Spc. Marcus Quickley, a gym committee member. The committee welcomes both equipment and class suggestions to improve the space. "The more input we get the more progress we'll make. Before long, we'll have a fully functional Performance Triad-based gym."
The committee also is seeking volunteers to teach classes such as yoga, BodyPump and kickboxing.
Along with new equipment, the gym will soon have a new name. The grand opening included a "Name the New Gym" contest. The winner will be announced on the web soon.
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