Fitness center to start charging for certain classes

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Peter Thompson
  • 7th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
DYESS AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  With budget constraints having a continuing affect across the Air Force, the 7th Force Support Squadron will begin charging for several of its enhanced-fitness and aerobics courses.

Beginning Dec. 1, Insanity, Pump It, Zumba, yoga and a few additional courses will be provided on a purchase only basis. This change will impact every participant, regardless of rank or affiliation.

"Because of budget cuts, the Wing can no longer afford to pay instructors to teach all of our fitness classes," said Lt. Col. Lance French, 7th Mission Support Group deputy commander. "For the first two months of the fiscal year we were able to provide some of these classes using volunteer instructors. However, because of other priorities and mission needs these volunteers were not always available. By charging for the classes we will be able to hire permanent instructors."

In the past, instructors were not under contract, leaving instructors to choose whether or not to be present for a class. Hiring permanent instructors for courses through contracts is expected to improve the schedule by providing more predictability for participants.

With the bulk purchasing system the Dyess Fitness Center will be providing, customers will still receive the great fitness programs they did in the past at a reasonable price. The more classes you buy at one time, the more you save. An individual day pass will cost $5, eight classes can be purchased for $24 and a sixteen class bundle will be available for $40. Club members will receive an additional 10% off the cost.

"We are hoping our customers will be more motivated to come to the classes and stick to a stricter routine when they purchase several courses," said 1st Lt. Elizabeth Clark, 7th Force Support Squadron fitness center director. "This is an opportunity to commit to a program and take control of your fitness goals."

Although this is being viewed as a permanent solution, the fitness center is exploring possible ways to alleviate cost to Airmen in the future.

"We are looking into outlets such as the Single Airman initiative for the future to possibly help with the cost of these programs," Clark said.

The Dyess Fitness Center will still provide several of its programs for free. Classes such as Back-to-Basics Fitness, Be Well and the Running Clinic, which are prescribed by the Health and Wellness Center to help Airmen after failing a fitness exam, will still be provided at no cost to participants.

"We have kept the programs which help our Airmen pass and achieve excellence on fitness assessments, while still trying to deal with the setbacks," Clark said. "If you are looking for the extra push to help you get back in shape, this may be the change you need."