Stationary bikes gain traction on fitness

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Clayton Lenhardt
  • 8th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
KUNSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea --  Airmen looking for a way to stay fit to fight, need look no further than the Wolf Pack Fitness Center's Spin Class.

Offered four times a week by Master Sgt. Dante Brooks, 8th Operations Support Squadron host aviation resource management superintendent, spin class provides the Wolf Pack an alternative to running.

"It's a lot of wear and tear on your body when you're actually out there running," said Brooks. "The cycling, it's less stress on your knees, your back and it also burns a lot more calories when you're actually cycling."

The class involves more than just cycling. Brooks includes a full body workout.

"We incorporate pushups, we incorporate certain leg exercise, you do isolations, you're working your core," explained Brooks. "All body parts are incorporated during this workout. It's going to translate over into better fit to fight results."

Brooks says overtime the results will show, especially on run times. Airman 1st Class Darius Williams, 8th Maintenance Squadron storage, agrees.

"It increases your endurance, stamina, great for your legs, which is the base of your body so it increases your overall strength," said Williams. "It's just a good overall exercise."

Since Brooks doesn't want anyone to dread coming to his class, he makes it an interactive course.

"I think if we're all interacting off of each other, feeding off of each other's energy, it's also going to relieve a lot of stress for people," said Brooks. "You don't realize you're working out when you have so much fun doing it."

The interaction also helps motivate people.

"You look to your left; the person to your left is motivated. Then you look to your right; they're motivated," said Williams. "You can't stop."

Music is another way Brooks keeps the class spinning. When making the workout playlist he prefers 80's rock and rap; but he's open to suggestions because of his teenage son's musical taste and the age of those attending are similar.

"He kind of says 'ok dad, you've got to give up some of the old stuff, here's some of the stuff that we're listening to now," said Brooks. "I just take a lot of input from different people."

Brooks received his certification at West Georgia College during an all-day course.

"You're going to go on multiple rides, three hours of riding broken down into separate increments," said Brooks. "Some of the things you go over are the different riding techniques, showing the different hand positions on the bike for people, understanding your heart rate, knowing what level you're supposed to operate."

Brooks teaches the class as a way to give back to those assigned to Kunsan and the community.

"A lot of times we tend to forget that the most important thing that we can do is give back," said Brooks. "So if you have a skill set, a talent, don't just keep it to yourself, share it with people. You never know how much it will benefit people when you share what you have."

Brooks attended his first spin class after failing an ergometry test. It was suggested to him as a way to prepare for his next test.

"I was a young guy, I could run 7 or 8 miles every single day," said Brooks. "I would get on that bike and wouldn't be able to pass and I couldn't understand it."

Ever since then he's enjoyed it and recommends others try spin class.

"The biggest thing is to just have people come out," said Brooks. "I guarantee nine times out of 10 people will enjoy it and you'll definitely see an improvement."

For those who want to try, spin class is offered Monday, Wednesday and Thursday at 7 p.m. and Saturday at 12 p.m.