Drop the weight, motivate; Hancock Gym now open

Photo By Cpl. Unique B. Roberts | The Hancock Gym at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., held its grand opening March 24, 2015, after six months of renovation. The facility features more than 70 new pieces of equipment, 13 new televisions and a hydrating station for patron. The facility is open to all Cherry Point residents to include retirees and Department of Defense employees. The facility is one of three projects Marine Corps Community Service is working on to provide the authorized patrons with way to become and stay physically fit.  

CHERRY POINT, NC, UNITED STATES

03.31.2015

Story by Cpl. Unique B. Roberts 

II Marine Expeditionary Force   

CHERRY POINT, N.C. - Marine Corps Community Services opened the recently renovated Hancock Gym for authorized MCCS patrons, active duty service members, retires and Department of Defense employees here, March 24.

“The grand opening is to officially open the facility and introduce our patrons to the new equipment inside the facility,” said Mike Largent, the CEO of MCCS. “We are hoping that more people will use the Hancock Gym and relieve some pressure on the old Devil Dog Gym.”

The Devil Dog Gym grew too small for the Cherry Point population and is crowded during peak workout times, explained Largent.
“We had a makeshift gym in the old Hancock facility to try to relieve the pressure off the Devil Dog Gym, but it was run down and too small to solve the problem.”

After six months of renovations, the gym features over 3,200 square feet of workout space, a warm-up section and new workout equipment from Life Fitness and Matrix.

The equipment includes state-of-the-art cardiovascular equipment, a weight lifting section including multiple cable machines, selectorized machines, weight benches, squat racks and an Olympic lifting platform.

“There are 13 new 80-inch High Definition televisions and Wi-Fi available throughout the facility. The gym also has plenty of day lockers available,” said Largent. “We also added a new Nexersys high intensity interval training program. This unit includes a virtual personal trainer that takes you through a series of four-minute routines working on technique, core, sparring, cardio and strike training.”

Although some Marines feel as though the Devil Dog Gym is serving its purpose, others are excited and looking forward to working out in the newly renovated facility.

“The gym is nice,” said Sgt. Jeffrey Lawrence, an aircraft electronic countermeasures system technician with the Center of Naval Aviation Technical Training. “The gym is versatile. It features different equipment for different types of workouts, not just for muscular training.”

Lawrence pointed out that some of the equipment introduces integrated training, which is good for Marines learning MCMAP and striving to maintain their combat readiness.

“In the Marine Corps, it is not all about the job that you do, it’s also about being physically fit,” said Lawrence. “The new type of equipment that they have will allow Marines to engage in more than just a strength or cardio workout. They are able to combine the two, which is important for the combat fitness test and physical fitness test.”

Lawrence believes that the gym is a great addition to Cherry Point, and thinks it is important for people to take advantage of the facility and invest in their physical health.

“The Marine Corps sets the physical standard for Marines,” said Lawrence “Marines are not going to be competitive if they are not prepared physically. To disregard physical fitness is to disregard the Marine Corps and its goal to be always ready.”

In an effort to continue providing Marines with the ability to remain physically fit, MCCS is slated to complete renovations for the Marine Dome by May of this year. MCCS is also renovating the old Hancock facility to be a new Hancock Aerobics and Spin Center.

For more information regarding health and fitness, contact Cherry Point’s Health and Fitness Department at [phone].

• Date Taken: 03.31.2015
• Date Posted: 03.31.2015 10:48
• Story ID: 158641
• Location: CHERRY POINT, NC, US