Where are the weights?

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Quay Drawdy
  • 7th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
DYESS AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  More than 60 weight and cable machines have been removed from the Dyess Fitness Center in accordance with the Defense Reutilization and Marketing Office standards as of Aug. 6.

The equipment, which was removed from the gym due to age and maintenance costs, is scheduled to be replaced with new equipment within the next few months.

“We have a requirement to maintain most of our equipment for five-years,” said Staff Sgt. Jonathan Simmons, 7th Force Support Squadron equipment specialist. “After those five years, the Air Force will deem that we’ve had it long enough and, in the interest of safety and efficiency, it’s time to get rid of it.”

The purpose of the five-year “lifespan” on exercise gear is intended to minimize repair costs on equipment that is outdated and proactively prevent unsafe situations. Maintenance prices can quickly exceed the amount that it would take to otherwise replace the machine.

The replacement of the machines is dependent on the funding available within the 7th FSS.

“New equipment can be budgeted into our annual funding as needed,” Simmons said. We have around four or five machines coming in already, including a couple row and stretch machines, and we should be seeing those in the next three to four weeks. We expect to see the majority of the replacement equipment in the next three months.”

Observing Dyess Fitness Center trends, 7th FSS personnel have noticed a decline in the use of cable-based machines. Taking those observations into consideration, the staff prioritized decisions on what equipment to purchase.

“A majority of the equipment is going to be replaced with free-weights,” Simmons said. “We’re looking to get a few power-cages, leg machines and a variety of weights and machines in the upcoming months.”

Despite removing more than 20,000 pounds of outdated machinery, the Dyess Fitness Center currently maintains a large amount of free-weight and cable equipment for use by personnel and their families.