Fitness Improvement Training Program making a difference

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Gino Reyes
  • 4th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. --  Being "Fit to Fight" is every Airman's personal responsibility. At the end of 2011 the 4th Fighter Wing introduced a program for Airmen who need to improve their physical fitness.

The Fitness Improvement Training program is a high-impact 90 minute physical training session that pushes Airmen to their limit.

"I think the program is a really good motivational tool," said Tech. Sgt. Andrew Garret, 4th Aerospace Medicine Squadron NCO in charge and class participant. "It's definitely a no joke hardcore workout!"

In October, the base physical training test failure rate was 8.8 percent, which equals 332 failures. A month after the FIT program started the failure rate decreased to 6.7 percent or 270 failures.

"Every component of my physical fitness test has increased," said Tech. Sgt. Gregory Ferrell, 4th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron cannibalization dock team member and class participant. "I had my fastest run time, smallest waist measurement and I lost 25 pounds!"

Working as a unit motivates participants to do their best because no one wants to finish last. If a member fails to meet the set run time or drops to their knees before time is up while performing planks or push-ups, the entire group starts over. During the workouts Airmen jog, sprint and perform various abdominal and push-up exercises.

"I love the new fitness improvement training program. I have been able to lose 26 pounds since October and I feel like I have received more benefits from this program than any other program the Air Force has had in the past," said Tech. Sgt. Shawn Merchant, 4th AMXS cannibalization dock chief.

"The personnel who run the program have a very good understanding of what needs to be done to get into great shape and they are very good at positive reinforcement, which helps a lot."

"I have seen nothing but improvements since I started this program," Merchant said. "This program is a big step in the right direction for physical fitness."

For more information about the FIT program, call 722-0408.