Event promotes fitness

By Walt JohnsonFebruary 3, 2011

Event promotes fitness
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Event promotes fitness
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Event promotes fitness
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FORT CARSON, Colo. -- Many of Fort Carson's civilians and Family members came out to enjoy the Mountain Post's first Sports, Fitness and Wellness Expo Jan. 19 at Garcia Physical Fitness Center.

The information- and demonstration-themed event was presented by the Directorate of Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation. The event was designed to help civilians and Family members understand the range of programs offered by DFMWR and also give them a chance to have some hands-on interaction with the instructors of the various programs.

The program was administered by Shanise Lewis, sports and fitness management trainee, in cooperation with the garrison commander's office. Both the garrison commander and directorate staff felt that as part of the total force fitness concept, it would be great to have the civilian and Family member communities gain a better knowledge of the fitness programs.

The event gave attendees a chance to see and participate in a variety of fitness programs offered by the post fitness centers. Those programs included a step-class routine, yoga techniques and spinning, battling ropes, TRX exercise, body blitz and kickboxing demonstrations.

Lewis said DFMWR hoped to draw close to 200 people to the event but exceeded that number. She said it was good to see the many Mountain Post people who enthusiastically listened to the instructors talk about the programs and when they had a chance to get hands-on with the programs, enthusiasm was just as high.

"Our goal was to promote all the programs we have on post for civilians and Families," Lewis said. "Each of the instructors did a wonderful job of demonstrating their classes. This gave our audience a chance to understand how they can use the fitness programs to increase their physical fitness performance. We think the best thing that came out of the event is (that) it gave the people here a great way to understand how they can get the maximum benefit from the program."

Lewis said the event was held in preparation for the upcoming Civilian Fitness Performance Program that begins in February and runs for eight weeks. She said DFMWR thinks the program will

be invaluable to all the people who decide to give it a try.

"We think if the people use the program for eight weeks it will convince them of the benefits of the fitness programs here and how much they can gain from being a part of it. The leadership at the post wanted to offer this to the civilian force because it wants the civilian force to be as fit as the military force, and we think this is a great way to get that done," Lewis said.

Anyone interested in the civilian fitness program can pick up applications at any post fitness centers, according to Lewis.