MWR Fitness Implements Changes to Group Exercise Program
By: Rachel Autenreith
MWR Marketing
Published in The Bahrain Desert Times on 8 June, 2016
NAVAL SUPPORT ACTIVITY, Bahrain -- Fitness is not a destination; it is a journey. For some, clocking hours on the treadmill can be grueling and monotonous. Exercising can become more of a burden than a stress-reliever at times. Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) wants to encourage everyone to work out and have fun while doing it. MWR’s Group X Classes are an essential way to do both. MWR Fitness is making changes hoping to introduce more of the base population to the group fitness routine.
During the month of April, patrons were invited to take a survey about MWR Group X Classes in order to determine customer usage, demographics, and program satisfaction. Customers were asked which classes they have attended, if current class times are convenient, which classes should be added to the schedule, and various questions regarding the facility, equipment, and instructors.
The Commander, Navy Installations Command (CNIC) website states, “The goal of the Navy Fitness Program is to create ‘Fitness for Life’ for the entire Navy population, including active-duty Sailors, family members, retirees and DoD civilians.” This mission is transparent in identifying that fitness is for everyone. Recreation Director Tina Wills was pleased that the MWR Group X Survey captured a healthy statistical sample size. Demographically, there were a wide variety of participants and the male/female and spouse/sponsor ratios were fairly balanced.
The survey highlighted two changes that would encourage more participation – more convenient class times and family fitness classes. 65 per cent of the survey respondents said the class times did not fit their schedule.
“It really wasn’t new information,” Wills said. “I think that it just validated the direction that we were going in and I think that it’s always great when we can get feedback from our patrons.”
In May, Family Group X Classes were added to the schedule. Family Zumba and Family Boot Camp are taught in the Gymnasium during weekday mornings. The Gymnasium is open 30 minutes prior and 30 minutes after each family class to allow for extra stretching and pack-up time. Since 75 per cent of the survey takers said they would attend weekend classes, a Saturday cycle class has been introduced.
“The big take-away was that we are looking to expand our program offerings,” Wills said. “The times weren’t really meeting the needs of our service member population so we’re trying to expand to early mornings and evenings as well as weekend hours to meet the needs of our patrons.”
MWR Fitness has made myriad changes to the Group X program, but there is still room to grow. Patrons can look forward to the new class addition in July - Boot Camp: H20, a water fitness class. There are many more suggestions from the survey that MWR Fitness is considering for the future.
MWR Group X Instructors are comprised of two groups -- MWR Fitness Staff and contractors. The Fitness Staff are qualified to teach select classes such as cycle, NOFFS, and Heart Core. The Fitness Center hires contractors as well. The contracted instructors are spouses, Active Duty personnel, and DoD Civilians that are certified and insured. If you are certified and interested in teaching a Group X class, call the Fitness Center at 439-9306. The Group X Schedule can be found at the Fitness Center front desk, on the MWR Bahrain Facebook page, and on mwrbahrain.wordpress.com.
