SAN DIEGO - The Marine Corps Recruit Depot Fitness Center has a vast number of free weights and machines that are available for use to help service members and their families meet any physical fitness goal they set for themselves.
The Fitness Center also holds classes six days a week, for those who prefer a group setting and personal trainers for anyone needing one-on-one attention.
“We’re an all encompassing, all branching service,” said Ron Rivera, morning supervisor and fitness specialist. “We start with the physical portion of it which is what we offer in terms of personal training and group exercise.”
Anyone looking for a group setting to keep them motivated has the opportunity to choose from 10 different classes from yoga to kettlebells. Giving them a chance to find classes that fit their schedule and fitness needs.
The gym has four different facilities they maintain, the fitness center, the functional fitness area, the racquetball courts and the field house.
Each facility is also used throughout the year for different events on base including the Commanding General’s Cup and the youth sports program.
In addition to group fitness classes, the fitness center also holds a number of nutrition classes throughout the year. They can do these classes by special request for the work sections on base.
“It gives a lot of people a baseline knowledge of what really works and what doesn’t,” said Rivera. “[They explain] fad diets that really hurt versus what’s actually effective.”
Those looking for one-on-one help with completing their fitness goals can request a personal trainer. To do this, one must fill out questionnaire detailing fitness goals and past medical history. Family members are also eligible for this including children who are looking to improve their sports skills.
“Rather than telling us that you want to lose 10-15 pounds, we ask what do you physically want to see yourself accomplish,” said Rivera. “Tell me you want to pullout 20 pull ups opposed to 15, stuff that we can measure versus what’s on a scale.”
The fitness center is two levels, on the first floor is the weight machines and free weights and the second floor has all the cardio equipment such as treadmills and ellipticals.
“We can actually show them how to program that equipment so that you actually get a harder, more unique workout designed and catered toward whatever fitness goal you want to achieve,” said Rivera.
Throughout the week The Fitness Center accommodates from 300 to 800 patrons on a daily basis.
The gym as a whole was renovated two years ago, and continues to receive new equipment and maintain what they have.
“We maintain them very thoroughly, as much as we can,” said Rivera. “It’s the trainers we put into our facility that make the fitness center, not necessarily [the equipment] we put into it. It’s not what you have, it’s what you do with what you have.”