JOINT BASE LANGLEY-EUSTIS, Va. –
Beginning June 5 and continuing through June 14, the Shellbank Fitness Center will begin a 24-hour schedule during the unmanned hours of 10 p.m. and 4 a.m.
Implementation of the new hours for all active duty Service members is scheduled for June 15 at which time, unit fitness program managers and first sergeants will be able to sign their Airmen up for an orientation class. The weight room and basketball courts will be available for use by active duty military ID cardholders.
These new hours will be implemented at first as a trial basis to allow U.S. Service members who work swing shifts the opportunity to use the Shellbank Fitness Center.
"We are making the shift to 24/7 fitness in an effort to provide the best possible service to [U.S. Service members] across the installation," said U.S. Air Force Capt. Preston Goodrich, 633rd Force Support Squadron Manpower and Personnel flight commander. "The number of Airmen that are required to work a non-standard shift continues to grow across the installation. 24/7 fitness allows those that are on mid- and night shifts to visit the fitness center at a time that is convenient for them. This program is a bonus for our customers and helps to ensure we are fit to fight."
Along with ensuring fitness, safety is also being enforced.
"Service members should remember safety first as always," said Tech. Sgt. Jessica Covington, 633rd FSS fitness center non-commissioned officer in charge. "After-duty patrons are required to have a buddy with them if they use the gym during unmanned hours as a spotter when performing certain exercises like the squat, bench press and dead lift."
Covington also encourages Service members to use integrity when using the workout equipment by putting clasps on the end of the weight bar, clearing the weight and setting the weight down instead of dropping them.
"In addition, they should use the exercise equipment according to the directions," added Covington. "All patrons should use a weight they are comfortable with and will not cause them to get injured. They also should ensure they put the weights and other equipment in its designated location so it is not a safety hazard."
In the case of an emergency, the Shellbank Fitness Center will have several clearly marked, red emergency phones located throughout the facility which call directly to the hospital.
For more information, call the Shellbank Fitness Center at 765-8165.