JBSA fitness centers offer options for people to stay in shape, lose weight

  • Published
  • By David DeKunder
  • 502nd Air Base Wing Public Affairs
JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas --  Joint Base San Antonio members who want to get into shape or lose a few pounds for the upcoming new year can utilize several fitness facilities, classes and programs at JBSA locations to help them stay fit and healthy.

There are 11 fitness centers throughout JBSA providing strength and conditioning equipment from weights to cardio and classes from aerobics to Taekwondo. The fitness centers are free to Department of Defense cardholders, including active-duty, Reserve and National Guard members, military family members, military retirees and government civilians.

Doug Price, 502nd Force Support Squadron chief of fitness and sports at JBSA-Fort Sam Houston, said there are four fitness centers at JBSA-Fort Sam Houston that offer a variety of amenities, exercise classes and expertise to post members wanting to live a healthier life.

“We have all the tools in place to facilitate a healthy lifestyle change,” Price said.

All four fitness centers within JBSA-Fort Sam Houston have a full line of cardiovascular, cycling and weight equipment. Two racquetball courts, an indoor pool, a three court gymnasium, saunas and a juice bar are located at the Jimmy Brought Fitness Center. The METC fitness center includes an indoor track, saunas, a gymnasium and two basketball courts. The Central Post Gym is a “hard core” workout facility with no central air or TVs and includes cardiovascular equipment, a half-court basketball facility and free weight room.

Price said several types of aerobic classes, including yoga, Zumba and circuit training, are offered at both the Jimmy Brought Fitness Center and the METC fitness center, including water aerobics at the indoor pool at the Jimmy Brought Fitness Center.

JBSA-Fort Sam Houston has two personal trainers, who are available for a fee, and three fitness instructors who instruct post members on the proper ways to exercise and do weight training while providing motivation to help them meet their fitness goals, said Price.

Members at JBSA-Lackland can choose six fitness facilities to work out at, including the Chaparral, Gateway, Gillum, Kelly, Medina and Warhawk fitness centers. All six fitness centers include cardiovascular, weight and cycling equipment. Outdoor fitness facilities are located at the Gillum Fitness Center, including two covered basketball/volleyball courts, soccer/football field, softball field and tennis court.

The JBSA-Lackland fitness centers have a variety of aerobics classes and other types of group classes, including Taekwondo and karate which are available for a fee, for installation members to take, said Mike Richardson, 502nd fitness manager at JBSA-Lackland.

And throughout the year, the Gillum Fitness Center hosts 5K runs.
Personal trainers and massage therapists are available for a fee at all JBSA-Lackland fitness center locations.

Richardson said active-duty members, military retirees and DOD civilians should take advantage of the amenities and equipment at the JBSA fitness centers because they can do so free of charge.

“They get to maintain their health and fitness for free and utilize programs and resources there for no charge,” he said.

At JBSA-Randolph, the Rambler Fitness Center has a cardio station, which includes treadmills, StairMasters, stationary bikes and ellipticals, a weight room that includes a circuit training station, two exercise rooms with aerobics equipment, a synergy room with a wide variety of exercise equipment including a jungle gym, two racquetball courts, a basketball court and a one-eighth of a mile indoor track.

The Rambler Fitness Center has certified personal trainers and massage therapists, who are available on a fee basis to JBSA-Randolph members.

JBSA members can also sign up for 24-hour access to the fitness centers. Inquire at the fitness centers for details
Information on hours for JBSA fitness centers, group exercise classes, programs and services is at http://www.myjbsa-fss-mwr.com.

Fitness program contact numbers are for JBSA-Fort Sam Houston, 221-2020; JBSA-Lackland Chaparral Fitness Center, 671-2401; and JBSA-Randolph Rambler Fitness Center, 652-7263.