From sunrise to sunset: New gym equipment offers more options for strength and conditioning

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Shane Karp
  • 177th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
ATLANTIC CITY AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, N.J. --  New Jersey Air National Guard members will now have an alternative to the on-base gym when it comes to fitness upkeep while at the 177th Fighter Wing.

The completion of six new workout stations, Jan. 6, located alongside the new on-base track, offers members an additional means of staying fit to fight.

New workout stations include: the back extension, horizontal bars, push up bars, a sit up bench, the sky climber (a variation of a horizontal ladder), and uneven bars, said 1st Lt. Natalia Rojas, from the 177th Civil Engineering Squadron.

"The goal of having the track equipment is to provide additional benefits to unit members, giving them more options for strength and conditioning, with the added bonus of cardio that the track provides," Rojas said.

Rojas expects the new equipment, which took roughly 90 days to install, has potential in the future to be used for high-intensity workouts - including cardio and strength intervals often seen with other popular workout regimens.

"The new equipment is great because it doesn't limit members to use only the equipment the base gym offers, especially on those sunny spring and summer days," Rojas said. "There is also a project in the works to have lights powered by stored solar energy on the track, to allow personnel to use the equipment before or after the sun comes out."

The equipment is also built to last - outlined with dark grey-colored composite lumber, instead of traditional pressure-treated landscape timbers, in order to avoid rotting, and utilizing rubber mulch instead of traditional pine-bark mulch, Rojas added.

Equipment is open for use from sunrise to sunset, and the only rules Rojas noted is applying common sense, and only using the equipment as it was intended.