Gym opens 24/7 for active duty

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Kathleen D. Bryant
  • 23d Wing Public Affairs
MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. --  A new opportunity for Airmen to maintain fitness begins at the Freedom 1 Fitness Center July 1, here.

Active-duty members will have the opportunity to register their Common Access Cards at the fitness center for 24-hour access to the gym.

"It will be more efficient because now we don't have to mess up our sleeping schedule," said U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Matthew Ellison, 71st Aircraft Maintenance Unit instrumental and flight control system technician journeyman. "Even though now I'm on days, I've worked that off shift. [The new hours] are way overdue and better fits our lifestyle. It'll be more beneficial to the Airmen on base who don't have cars as well."

Although the new hours may help Airmen who work outside of normal duty hours, it could help any Airmen trying to balance life and physical fitness.

"Our fighting force is doing a lot of things," said Tony Mason, 23d Force Support Squadron fitness center director. "They go to school, take care of family, try to balance their time but they still have to maintain their readiness levels. Now they will be able to find time to work out and I think it will be a benefit to the military force here."

Airmen registering their CACs will receive a tour of the facility and a brief orientation to familiarize themselves with the emergency procedures.

"We require a name and contact information for registration before they go through a little orientation that will include a tour of the facility," said Mason. "We will identify a few things [such as], where the Automated External Defibrillator is found, where the emergency numbers are located and what to do in an emergency situation.

"The goal is to be [available] 24/7," said Mason. "[Service members] may have moments when they want to go and workout, relieve stress or just do a little extra."

Outside of normal business hours there will be no staff members in the gym which has led to a need for increased security.

"It's highly suggested to have a wingman," said Mason. "There are new cameras that have been installed for safety as well as to safeguard the assets in the facility.

"We want to make sure they feel comfortable coming in here because it will be during unmanned periods when there is no fitness center staff available," said Mason.

Although the new hours only apply to active-duty members, civilian personnel and dependents will still have access to the fitness center during the following business hours which are:

· Monday-Thursday: 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.
· Friday: 5 a.m. to 8 p.m.
· Saturday-Sunday: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
· Holidays/Family Days: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
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For more information contact the fitness center at 229-257-1621.