Fitness center offers fun, exciting classes

  • Published
  • 50th Space Wing Public Affairs
SCHRIEVER AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. --  If you've ever gone to the Schriever main fitness center between 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. Saturday, you may have noticed fitness classes being taught in the aerobics room. Spinning, Triple Threat Aerobics, yoga, Zumba and Body Blitz fitness classes are offered often throughout the week and are free for anyone authorized to use the fitness center.

Last fall, Capt. Ivonne Charbonneau, 50th Space Wing Commander's Action Group chief, started attending spinning classes regularly and got to know her instructor, who, as it turned out, was set to leave the area, opening a spinning instructor position. Prior to this, Charbonneau had taught a few spinning classes during her training at Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., for fun, but had no official instruction or certification. When the opportunity presented itself, she sought the advice of Kristen Warren, SAFB's lead instructor and signed up to become officially certified.

"I saw an opportunity to lead a class in spinning and thought it could be fun," said Charbonneau. "It's been great meeting new people, getting to know the different personalities of my students and most of all putting different music together for each week. I always ask for requests; our classes have been themed anywhere from the '80s to songs from movies. It keeps it all fun. Seeing all that sweat on the floor is just an added bonus."

For Capt. Katherine Hebner, 50 SW executive officer, who's been practicing yoga for almost 10 years, the drive to become certified came from taking the free classes offered at a base gym in Montana.

"My instructor was the best instructor I've ever had," Hebner said. "Her instruction was truly inspiring. Most people think yoga is just a form of stretching, but it is an art and a science, matching breath with movement and creating union between body, mind and spirit."

Adding a variety of workouts into the routine has its benefits.

"Yoga improves strength, flexibility and balance," Hebner said. "Challenging poses offer a chance to test your limits and grow in them. There are many aspects of yoga that people practice in their everyday life without even knowing it. Some of these aspects greatly parallel our Air Force pillars, supporting the resiliency of our Airmen; they concern physical, social, mental and spiritual well-being."

Charbonneau stressed the benefits of spinning.

"In spin class, you can progress at your own pace and improve your cardiovascular health," she said. "It's low impact to your knees and feet, and by the time the hour's up, you've burned anywhere from 800-1000 calories."

Both captains pointed out that all classes improve your strength and endurance, which can help boost scores on each of the physical fitness test components.

If interested in becoming an instructor, call Kristen Warren at 574-8887. For schedules of classes, check out the fitness center programs on the back page of the monthly issue of "Happenings" or call Seth Cannello at 567-6658.