Photo Information

GRISSOM AIR RESERVE BASE, Ind. -- Greg DeMaio, management analyst for the 434th Air Refueling Wing, uses resistance bands to strengthen abdominal muscles during sitting crunches Sept. 14. A new exercise is medicine class is being offered here. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Doug Hays)

Class promotes exercise as medicine

9 Oct 2012 | Tech. Sgt. Douglas Hays

Exercise is medicine.

It's not just the name of a new class offered by the fitness center staff; it's a way to turn lives around.

The class is designed for people with disease risks, such as diabetes, heart health, obesity - and reversing the affects of a sedentary lifestyle, said Juli Phelps, exercise physiologist.

To achieve the results instructors plan to focus on a combination of health education, safe physical activity movement, and event planning to help people sustain a healthy lifestyle.

Classes are held on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:15-4:15 at the fitness center.

Each class will last between 45 minutes to one hour and will include circuit cardio work alternating between low-impact aerobics and strength conditioning.

In addition cardio, strength, and flexibility and balance assessments will be incorporated as well.

Students will also be asked to do 30 minutes of self-directed activity per week as well, Phelps said.

We want to make health education, lifestyle changes and the event planning fun and in a social atmosphere, she said.

"Move and learn," that's the plan she said. "People of all ages will be able to participate in the classes and improve their health."

To learn more about the class, contact Phelps at 688-2987.

To sign up for this class or any other class offered, contact the fitness center staff at 688-2000.

The 434th ARW is the largest KC-135R Stratotanker unit in the Air Force Reserve Command. From Grissom Air Reserve Base, Airmen and aircraft from the 434th ARW routinely deploy around the world in support of the Air Force mission and U.S. strategic objectives.

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