FORT SILL, Okla. -- Of the many services offered for Soldiers and their families at Fort Sill, perhaps the healthiest is the Army Wellness Center (AWC).
Located in Building 2868 Craig Road, the center provides standardized primary prevention programs to promote and sustain healthy lifestyles and improve the overall well-being of service members, family members, retirees and Department of the Army civilians.
"The testing and fitness equipment that we use here at the AWC are the types of equipment found in the training rooms of professional sports teams," said Rebecca Langford, AWC project lead. "The great thing about the center is our services would typically cost around $3,000 if done by a gym or personal trainer, but they do not cost you a thing at the AWC."
The center offers many services that include body composition and metabolic analyses, exercise testing, stress management and sleep education.
"Body composition analysis is one of our most popular services," said Langford. "We use the gold standard of body composition testing, the BOD POD. It is 99-percent accurate for testing body composition.
Through results of the metabolic and fitness testing, the AWC staff develops goals and exercise prescriptions fit to the specific needs of each client.
"We also offer stress management services and classes including Upping Your Metabolism and Healthy Sleep Habits," she said.
When you make an appointment with the AWC one of the health educators, clients may see is Hannah Squiers.
She stressed the importance of meeting regularly with a health educator.
"My clients that stick with the program and meet with me regularly are the ones who show the greatest improvement in their health and fitness and reach their goals," said Squiers.
One such client is Sgt. 1st Class Thomas Jefferson, 3rd Brigade, 75th Division, an Army Reserve unit here.
"Back in April of 2014 I had surgery at Reynolds Army Community Hospital," said Jefferson. "After my physical therapy ended in November I needed to get back to my previous fitness level, so I came to the AWC."
Jefferson met with Squiers who did a metabolic analysis. It determines the exact number of calories required for weight loss, gain or maintenance.
Combined with the Upping Your Metabolism class, Squiers developed a workout plan for Jefferson that helped him regain his fitness without the potential for injury.
"We met at least once a month to discuss his work out plan, conduct a fitness test and determine his body composition for that month with the BODPOD," said Squiers. "Sergeant First Class Jefferson's fit test results went from fair in December of 2014 to excellent in May, and he lost over 5.9 percent of his body fat, which equals 15.7 pounds of fat lost, during his time with the AWC."
Squiers said the results Jefferson achieved fall right in line with the experience of most AWC customers, who commit to and stay with their program.
Jefferson said he was pleased with the results.
"I have not only met all of my goals while in the program, but am in better shape now than before my surgery. I take my Soldiers who need to increase their physical fitness here so Hannah can whip them into shape," he said.
To make an appointment with the Fort Sill Army Wellness Center staff call at 580-442-0680, or visit their Facebook page FT Sill Army Wellness Center.
The BOD PODR is available for walk-in appointments Mondays through Fridays from 8-11 a.m. and Mondays through Thursdays from 1:30-3:30 p.m.
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