Wednesday, March 28, 2001

By Anthony Burgos, Sigonella bureau

Anthony Burgos / Stars and Stripes Melissa Perkins demonstrates the proper use of a chest press machine during Monday's fitness equipment orientation class at a gym on Naval Air Station Sigonella, Sicily.

NAVAL AIR STATION SIGONELLA, Sicily — With the Navy’s second round of their revamped physical readiness tests just around the corner, some sailors have to shape up or ship out.

At installations around the world, Morale, Welfare and Recreation provides fitness centers for servicemembers. But at Naval Air Station Sigonella, they are reshaping their program to promote the Navy’s new culture of fitness.

Starting June 1, the Fitness Equipment Orientation class will become mandatory for gym patrons who want to use Nautilus-style weight training machines and cardio-building equipment like steppers and treadmills.

Melissa Perkins, the base’s MWR fitness director, said the certification program was something that fell by the wayside, but now that it’s back patrons will reap the benefits of knowing how to properly use the equipment.

"Safety is the biggest benefit from the class," Perkins said. Learning proper technique on the machines will reduce injuries, but it will also reduce the wear and tear on the equipment. "Some of the cardio equipment is a little sensitive. The class teaches the do’s and don’ts," she said.

The 15-minute class teaches the basics of how to adjust weight-training machines for comfort and proper form, how to program a workout on the digital displays of steppers and treadmills, and how to properly clean the equipment before and after a workout.

As a certified strength and conditioning, personal and athletic trainer, Perkins is more than qualified to teach the class, which will award a card to those who complete the program.

"She’s been real cool about helping me learn the equipment," said Erica Money, a sailor attending Monday’s fitness orientation.

"It was good training," said Brad Luce, another one of Perkins’ students. "I see a lot of guys exercising the wrong way. I hope they enforce the policy and make everyone get the card so people will exercise properly."

"There has been a lot of interest in aerobics, so we added a morning class," Perkins said. "We are also revising our in-house aerobic instructor training."

Sigonella’s MWR also plans to purchase new gym equipment and will conduct weight-training classes with the hospital’s health promotions department. "We can also help set up training routines for sailors on the mandatory physical training program.

"I want the people to know that we have a very knowledgeable staff. They do more than just hand out towels and keys to lockers," Perkins said. "We are improving because Navywide, fitness is coming to the forefront."

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