Fort Bragg Fitness Fest promotes wellness

By Tina Ray
Paraglide

May 19, 2011

	Photos by Tina Ray/Paraglide Festival attendees gather information and visit booths at the Fitness Fest, which took place at the South Post Commissary, Friday. Held in recognition of May as National Physical Fitness and Sports Month, the event featured various sponsors, vendors and partners who offered fitness expertise to attendees.

Timing, apparently, is everything. Shonna Morris, a Fort Bragg Family member, happened upon Fitness Fest at the South Post Commissary, Friday, after having gone to the commissary to shop.

Morris found herself in line at the GNC booth, gathering information about fitness and getting free products, as well as registering for a gift bag.

Morris, who lost 70 pounds last year, said she found the information at this year’s Fitness Fest helpful.
“I like the information and that they’re (officials) answering questions. They’re really patient. It’s been awesome,” said Morris, who asked about exercise and nutrition tips.

Amethyst McLane, a manager at the GNC store at the North Post commissary, gave Morris samples of chewable Omega 3 supplements and a Lean Bar, used for weight control.

Fitness Fest, held in recognition of May as National Physical Fitness and Sports Month, serves an important function.

“It helps to bring awareness out here to the help people reach their goals,” McLane said.
Daren McWilliams agreed.

A health technician at the Army Wellness Center on Jackson Street, McWilliams said Fitness Fest provided the opportunity to educate people about available fitness options. He offered information about fitness and metabolic assessments, which is vital to improving overall health.
The assessments measure everything from cardio respiratory fitness to body fat percentage and caloric needs.

Delia Niles de Boone, an active-duty Soldier with 528th Combat Stress Control, wanted to learn ways to vary her physical fitness routine.

“I like it because you are always doing the same thing (exercise), so having the diversity, you are able to see other programs you can try,” de Boone said.

Any feedback the Army Wellness Center gives is geared toward helping customers get into better shape, controlling weight and maintaining proper nutrition, McWilliams said.

Fitness Fest also provided the opportunity for customers to learn about upcoming summer camps.

According to Paul Driessen, an instructional program specialist, Youth Services Branch, a football camp will take place at Pope Fitness Center, June 22 to 25.

Campers will learn the basics of football from retired Carolina Panther, Mike Minter, with open registration beginning June 4, Driessen said. A $150 deposit will be refunded once all four days of the camp are completed.

Fort Bragg’s Fitness Fest has been an annual event for the past few years, said Patrick Quigley, FMWR business manager.

“Fitness Fest is a great opportunity to introduce new fitness, wellness and nutrition programs and information to our military community members,” Quigley said. “It brings together MWR, medical and dental activity and other agencies in one arena to showcase our varied services.”

Seven civilian sponsors and vendors and nine partners within the Fort Bragg community attended the fest, which was open to any authorized ID card holders.

Comprehensive Soldier Fitness was a participating partner. CSF’s goal is to offer a holistic approach to building on the physical, emotional, social, Family and spiritual domains of strength, said Sgt. 1st Class Shannon Green, XVIII Airborne Corps.

“We’re helping Soldiers, Family members and Department of Army civilians to build resilience,” he said.

Fitness Fest seems to go a long way towards that goal.

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