Virtual fitness kiosk provides Warrior Fitness Center patrons alternate workout programs

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO -- RANDOLPH, Texas (AFNS) -- The Warrior Fitness Center provides the opportunity for visitors to use virtual fitness classes on a newly installed kiosk programmed Sept. 6.

To help improve total force fitness levels, the Air Force is installing "Fitness on Request" kiosks at 66 locations by the end of September, Air Force Personnel Center officials said.

The kiosks are available to all Airmen, including retirees and their family members, at base fitness and sports centers as part of the Operational Fitness Program.

The fitness kiosks enable fitness staff or customers to schedule group exercise classes during which exercise videos will play on a large screen. Each kiosk comes with 30 pre-loaded workout videos, which will be updated quarterly.

"The addition of the kiosk will greatly affect visitors' workouts because it provides an alternative and variety to work outs," said Staff Sgt. Whitney O'Neill 99th Force Support Squadron Warrior Fitness Center fitness programs manager. "[Workouts] can be done in groups or [alone] and can be [used] while no classes are offered. It also gives squadron PT different options as well."

Workout routines include kinetics, technical knockout kickboxing, step aerobics, cycling and fusion, which will run for 20, 30, 45 and 60 minute increments. Each installation will determine how its kiosk will be scheduled for workout sessions.

There are a few classes within the 99th FSS fitness center's kiosk that are unable to be used including the cycling class because there are no bikes in the aerobics room. Some of the classes under the fit for duty section aren't available either since heavy weight equipment cannot be brought into the aerobics room.

Although designed for groups, classes are also set up to allow individuals to follow at their own level. Videos feature a virtual instructor and two assistants who perform the exercise routines at different skill levels.

"The fitness center may eventually start [using] the kiosk classes in our aerobic scheduling during times aerobic classes are not held to provide more options for our patrons," O'Neill said. "If capable, the kiosk will be connected to the internet in the future to provide more classes and scheduling to the kiosk."

The kiosk is designed to be easily navigated, making it easy for users that may not be technologically savvy.

The kiosk screen is touch screen and is very easy to navigate through. You will choose a workout, accept the medical user agreement and hit start, the screen drops down and projector starts on its own.

For more information about the "Fitness on Request" kiosk and other quality of life programs, visit www.usafservices.com or www.myairforcelife.com or call the Warrior Fitness Center at 652-4891.

Editor's Note: Airman 1st Class Timothy Young, 99th Air Base Wing Public Affairs, localized this article.