Personal trainers make a difference

To be bigger, stronger, faster and healthier are goals many Marines have. For Marines at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, there is a group more than willing to help.

The station's Health Promotions program offers Marines and dependents nutrition information, fitness planning, guided exercises and knowledge to live a healthier life.

Marines or dependents seeking help in these matters must go to the station gym and fill out a request form detailing what kind of goals they're looking to achieve.

“Once the Marine fills out a request form, we look at it and schedule a health assessment,” said Kate Osborne, station health educator. “In the assessment, we measure the Marines' strength, flexibility, cardiovascular and endurance levels, as well as any kind of family history of high blood pressure or illness.”

After completing the assessment, the individual is directed to one of the station's four personal trainers to create a personalized exercise routine that caters to one's goals.

“When a Marine comes in, I find out when they're available and what they want to focus on,” said Andres Piscoya, personal fitness trainer. “I then create the routine, and we get started. The length of the routine really depends on what they want to achieve. They normally last about eight weeks, and I track their progress as we go.”

After completing the routine, the Marine or dependent is shown how much they've grown over the course of time.

“It's always better to show them how much they've achieved,” said Piscoya. “It really motivates them to keep going.”

However, even with a solid exercise routine, it can all fall apart if the participate doesn't eat right.

“I give them a number of calories, how much protein and how many carbohydrates to eat every day,” said Osborne. “I've found that if I give a Marine a solid number, they'll stick to it.”

In addition to individual training, Health Promotions offers group classes for units or sections on nutrition, as well as group exercise events.

“We're here for the Marines,” said Osborne. “It's our mission to increase the fitness level and education of the Marines so they can live healthier lives.”

Cpl. Jakob Schulz writes for Desert Warrior, the newspaper at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma.