Joint Base Lewis-McChord makes it easy to get out and be active during the National Physical Fitness and Sports Month beginning May 1.
For the second year the Army is using the Strong B.A.N.D.S. (Balance, Activity, Nutrition, Determination and Strength) campaign to promote Soldier and Family health awareness for the month of May. Last year JBLM offered three specialized Strong B.A.N.D.S. events, but this year the garrison is offering a wider variety of activities and events to promote fitness.
"This year we had the decision to highlight all of our events since everything we do in sports and (Morale, Welfare and Recreation) is some sort of fitness related thing," JBLM Fitness Facilities Coordinator Judson Lang said. "The idea was to broaden it and make it bigger."
There are several ongoing activities during the month including fitness classes at the McChord Fitness Center, Sheridan Sports and Fitness Center, Wilson Sports and Fitness Center, and McVeigh Sports and Fitness Center. Even meeting with a JBLM fitness trainer qualifies as a Strong B.A.N.D.S. activity. Participants will receive a black and gold Strong B.A.N.D.S. wristband. The campaign's website lists the activities planned at participating garrisons and allows participants to enter to win prizes at http://www.armymwr.com/strongbands.
JBLM events will include the bench press championship at Soldiers Field House May 5, the Madigan Nurse's Run May 10 and a dodgeball tournament at Soldiers Field House May 31. McVeigh is also hosting a racquetball tournament May 1 to 15.
Water aerobics, lap swim, a 4.3 mile airfield run challenge and boxing classes all count as Strong B.A.N.D.S. events. Options also include a variety of outdoor recreation events including: mountain biking May 5, sea kayaking May 6, whitewater rafting May 13, Twin Falls hike May 20 and sea kayak Hope Island May 27. For more information about the outdoor events visit http://www.jblmmwr.com/outdoor_rec.html.
"Last year we were a little more naive on how we would run this," Lang said. "We realized that we do so much on post that you could take a hike with outdoor rec and qualify for a fitness activity."
The campaign complements the Child Youth and School Services' own fitness campaign, Get Fit, Be Strong. World renowned jump rope champion and former Olympic wrestler, Buddy Lee, will host an event May 5 at the Teen Zone on JBLM Lewis Main from 10 a.m. to noon.
"I've never seen him but everyone I've talked to has just come away from his sessions just exhilarated," CYSS Sports and Fitness Director Cynthia Williams-Patnoe said.
Lee will go over his program on how to stay healthy and fit and will hand out free jump ropes. There will be jump rope sessions and competitions.
Strong B.A.N.D.S. also includes the health and wellness services at Wilson including the micro fit analysis and the gait analysis.
The Grandstaff Library on JBLM Lewis Main is also a participant for those who want to read and study fitness and health books.
For more information about the Strong B.A.N.D.S. campaign at JBLM contact Judson Lang at judson.lang@conus.army.mil or contact the respective facility that is hosting the activity or event.
Strong B.A.N.D.S. at JBLM
Sports
Racquetball Tournament, May 1-15
Bench Press Championships, May 5
Madigan Nurses' Run, May 10
Dodgeball Tournament, May 31
Water Aerobics
Lap Swimming
Air Field Run Challenge
McVeigh Functional Fitness Classes
McVeigh Boxing Classes
Wilson Fitness Classes
McChord Fitness Classes
Fitness Trainer Visits
Sheridan Fitness Classes
Outdoor Recreation
Mountain Biking, May 5
Sea Kayaking, May 6
Whitewater Rafting, May 13
Twin Falls Hike, May 20
Sea Kayak Hope Island, May 27
Libraries
Fitness and Health Books at Grandstaff
CYS Services
Get Fit, Be Strong Jump Rope Event, May 5
Health and Wellness at Wilson
Micro Fit Analysis
Gait Analysis
