TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- The 60th Communications Squadron bench press team won first place at the bench press competition held Friday at the Fitness Center.
Capt. Greg Taylor, of the 60th CS, bench pressed 370 pounds to help his team narrowly defeat 60th Equipment Maintenance Squadron’s team.
“I was understandably pretty pumped right after my lift, but it wasn’t until we heard that the 60th CS had won that I felt really golden,” said Captain. Taylor.
“We came as a team, and we ran things as a team.”
To qualify for a complete lift, participants had to keep their feet position the same throughout the lift, keeping their shoulder blades and glutes on the bench at all times. They had to touch their chest with the bar and lock elbows at the top of the lift so that arms are fully extended, said Fitness Specialist Barbara Hickenbottom.
“To help out with benching techniques, we offer a Bench Press Club, every last Thursday of the month from 5 - 6 p.m. Volunteers can assist you in the bench press,” said Mrs. Hickenbottom .
“The Bench Press Club has volunteers that are willing to help out anybody that wants to increase their bench poundage for no expense,” she said.
Whether you join the Bench Press Club or get into a routine with a partner, working out may have lasting benefits.
“Get a friend that will consistently push you and that you can push back,” said Captain Taylor.
“Healthy competition is a good thing, so don’t be afraid to keep score and talk a little constructive trash every once in a while,” he added.
“Working out decreases chance of injuries, improves cardiovascular system and appearance,” Mrs. Hickenbottom said.
“It’s people that have worked out most of their life, that have a better quality of life later,” she said.
“When you increase muscle mass it increases your metabolism and that will burn more calories to help reduce fat,” said Mrs. Hickenbottom.
“The bench press is a good strength builder for your PT test,” said Tanya Graves, Fitness Center Director.
According to Mrs. Hickenbottom, a term is often heard by the staff of the Travis Fitness center, ‘Get fit to fight!’