ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md. -- Soldiers and APG leadership celebrated the addition of $350,000 of functional fitness equipment at the APG North (Aberdeen) athletic center during a ribbon cutting ceremony Thursday, Jan. 30.
The equipment arrives as Soldiers on the installation adapt to the Army's new Army Combat Fitness Test, which will become the Army physical test of record no later than October.
Lining the perimeter of the gym's basketball court, the equipment -- which includes weights, machines, pull-up bars, kettlebells and medicine balls -- supports Army readiness efforts by giving Soldiers the resources they need to execute fitness activities that are part of the ACFT.
Soldiers present at the gym Thursday morning took a break from their workouts to celebrate during the ribbon cutting.
"They really transformed this place," said chaplain assistant Sgt. Jorge Valentin.
Staff Sgt. Unshil Hargraves, a budget analyst for the 20th Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, Explosives Command's G-8, said she was impressed with the equipment and grateful that the Army is providing an indoor workout facility for Soldiers. She believes the additions will help prepare her and her fellow Soldiers for success with the new fitness test.
"It's awesome for the installation to provide that for us," she said. "Before, there were very limited resources for us to work out with."
APG Senior Commander Maj. Gen. Mitchell Kilgo credited garrison leadership for spearheading the initiative to bring the equipment to the installation. He said the equipment will help increase Soldier readiness and that it will keep Soldiers prepared for wherever they go in their Army careers.
"At a location like this where the density of soldiers is very small, to have something like this is a blessing," he said. "Nobody will be able to say 'I can't do it because I was at APG.' This team made sure it was available for you so you don't skip a beat while you're here at APG; when you get back to the larger force, you're ready to rock and roll."
On weekdays, the gym is reserved for service members in uniform from 5:30 to 8 a.m. No formations or organized sports will be allowed to take place during those hours.
The ACFT has been administered since Oct. 1, 2019, for all Soldiers entering initial military training. Soldiers at APG have been required to take two not-for-record ACFTs before October 2020.
The six events of the ACFT include a three-repetition strength deadlift, a standing power throw, hand release push-up-arm extension, a 250-meter sprint-drag-carry, a leg tuck and a two-mile run. For more information, visit https://www.army.mil/acft.
APG will continue to upgrade its physical fitness facilities over the course of 2020, as work will soon begin to convert the multipurpose field at Fanshaw Field to AstroTurf.
The APG North Athletic Center is open 5 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekdays and 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. on weekends. Authorized ID card holders are also eligible for 24-hour access. For more information, call 410-278-7934.
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