MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. -- Seeing Marines wearing their camouflage trousers, green skivvy shirts and combat boots lifting weights at the gym can make some people feel timid about working out.
Marine Corps Community Services Semper Fit Division offers free personal training sessions at three fitness centers on base to help combat any discouragement towards fitness.
“Personal trainers are helpful because they offer advice on what an individual needs to work on to be successful,” said Annaleis Petrich, personal trainer, Semper Fit Division, MCCS. “We can provide guidance and help attain goals like muscular strength, endurance and overall health.”
Currently, personal trainers are available at the Paige Fieldhouse and the 21 and 52 Area fitness centers from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday. Sessions are by appointment only.
“This service is different from what is available in town because Semper Fit offers free services by highly educated trainers to all active-duty service members, their families, retirees and Department of Defense civilians,” Petrich explained.
All the installation’s personal trainers possess accredited certifications from organizations such as the American College of Sports Medicine, American Council on Exercise and the National Strength and Conditioning Association. Most also have earned a bachelor of science degree in a health-related study such as kinesiology, said Petrich.
The one-on-one training sessions usually consist of four one-hour meetings. The first session is a health assessment and the subsequent sessions include training and exercises. Patrons have the option of weekly sessions or knocking them all out in as quickly as a week. Health assessment follow ups are also recommended every six to eight weeks to track and adjust progress.
“The health assessment is extremely beneficial because it basically gives you a snapshot of your health,” said Petrick. “It measures blood pressure, aerobic fitness, bicep strength, flexibility and muscular and cardiovascular endurance.”
The four-session package is not a requirement for the assessment. Those interested can take the health assessment only, or in conjunction with one exercise session. This allows those that already have established regimes to learn new techniques or refine their workout routines.
“Even those who know what they’re doing can benefit by learning what is, and is not working, and tricks to improve their workout,” Petrich said.
In addition to the one-on-one sessions, the base’s personal trainers offer group sessions for small unit physical training and take an active role in various Semper Fit classes, such as the 300 PFT/CFT course. The trainers also work hand-in-hand with the naval hospital on base to support the Return-to-Readiness program, that helps bring wounded warriors back into the fight by working with the patient’s physical therapists and doctors.
For more information on how to get started with a personal trainer, call (760) 763-0657 or visit www.mccscp.com/home/Files/pdf/recreation/Fitness_Centers/Personal%20Training.pdf.