Stepping up your New Year fitness goals

A Tabata class participant sidesteps during a class at the Ramstein Southside Fitness Center Dec. 7, 2015, at Ramstein Air Base, Germany. The fitness center offers several different classes people can use to help them obtain their fitness goals. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Lane T. Plummer)

Stepping up your New Year fitness goals

Two Tabata class participants perform a squat thrust at the Ramstein Southside Fitness Center Dec. 7, 2015, at Ramstein Air Base, Germany. The fitness center runs several workout classes of various intensity levels for people with different exercise experience. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Lane T. Plummer)

Stepping up your New Year fitness goals

A Tabata class participant recuperates after planking sessions Dec. 7, 2015, at the Ramstein Southside Fitness Center on Ramstein Air Base, Germany. The fitness center provides multiple classes for people looking for an organized exercise schedule. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Lane T. Plummer)

Stepping up your New Year fitness goals

A gym class instructor leads her participants through a core performance session Dec. 8, 2015, at the Ramstein Southside Fitness Center on Ramstein Air Base, Germany. Classes at the SSFC are led by instructors who head dozens of classes every month with hundreds of participants. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Lane T. Plummer)

Stepping up your New Year fitness goals

A gym class instructor lunges while stretching a rope tightly during a core performance session at the Ramstein Southside Fitness Center Dec. 8, 2015, at Ramstein Air Base, Germany. The fitness center provides a variety of classes that exercise different muscle groups at different levels of intensity. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Lane T. Plummer)

Stepping up your New Year fitness goals

Published Dec. 11, 2015
By Airman 1st Class Lane T. Plummer
86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany -- At the end of every year, there is one daunting thought that people have on their minds after all of the holiday celebrations: "What is my New Year's Resolution?"

One of the most common goals people set is to become more fit, whether by shedding holiday weight or gaining some extra muscle for their summer beach vacations. For people living on Ramstein Air Base, Germany, this goal is made easier thanks to the extra services provided by both the Northside and Southside Fitness Centers.

Both fitness centers provide classes such as indoor cycling, core performance, Zumba, toning and many more. The goal of these classes, according to Alysha Brandy, SSFC fitness program manager, is to help guide people toward a healthier lifestyle.

"I think we do an excellent job at offering a variety of classes for all fitness levels and needs," said Brandy. "There's a class for everyone."

These classes are for people that have either no experience working out or are grizzled veterans, and the instructors are a key part of them, according to one of their participants, Senior Airman Aaron Blackmon, 786th Force Support Squadron command support staff.

"There are a variety of classes for me that do a very good job at keeping me entertained and all-round fit," said Blackmon. "The fitness professionals will help you attain a reasonable goal and stay consistent with it. It's what has kept me coming back."

Holmes believes if there's one factor that prevents people from going to exercise, it's being nervous.

"Advice I would give to anyone is to not be intimidated by any class," said Brandy. "New Year's fitness goals are just the start, and to keep yourself motivated, you have to set small attainable goals. Don't be hard on yourself if you have a bad day at the gym."

Blackmon also had words of advice for people looking to set physically challenging goals for the upcoming year.

"I strongly suggest people not just set goals for the New Year, but for the rest of their lives," said Blackmon. "Use your New Year goals as a platform, and then elevate yourself. It'll be more rewarding in the end."

For more information on how Ramstein's fitness centers can help you achieve your New Year's fitness resolution, contact the North/Southside fitness centers at 06371-47-8085/0294, or 480-8085. If you'd like to view their schedules from their website, visit www.86fss.com/fitness/fitness-centers.