Photo Credit: Al Fleming, MWR Marketing Coordinator, Naval Station Great Lakes
The Naval Station Great Lakes’ Warrior Zone, designed for functional fitness and high-intensity training, opened in November 2014 to meet the needs of its military personnel. Cutting-edge equipment was carefully selected for the “Zone” by Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) fitness professionals, focusing on functionality, the latest trends in fitness, and the ability to promote Navy Fitness programs, such as NOFFS (Navy Operational Fitness Fueling Series 2.0). The Warrior Zone was funded as part of an Office of Secretary of Defense Grant.
Great Lakes Fitness Coordinator, Lindsey Wolfram said, “We developed this fitness space with the focus on operational duties and movement patterns of everyday life. The overall goal of the Warrior Zone is for our sailors to experience significant health and fitness gains, as well as to decrease injury by teaching the muscles of the body to move synergistically, rather than focusing on the isolation of one particular muscle group.”
Staff members received rigorous training of the equipment prior to its opening, courtesy of the Life Fitness company, who supplied various equipment for the area. The training was taught by Jason Barber, Head of Sports Medicine/Strength and Conditioning for the U.S. Army, World Class Athlete Program. Barber came on-site to lead two full days of hands-on instruction of the equipment for the installation’s MWR fitness staff, and other military leaders of the base. “With more than 2,500 visits so far, the Warrior Zone’s customers are reaping the benefits. Certified MWR Navy Fitness instructors are busy providing individual, group, and open hour instruction utilizing the “Zone’s” high-intensity equipment including kettlebells, sleds, tires, plyometric equipment, TRX, custom HD Elite Power racks, Life Fitness Synergy 360 and more,” said Wolfram.