The Fort Carson Army Wellness Center (AWC) will resume all services by early August 2021.
The AWC reopened their doors August 2020 to restore BOD POD services and several in-person classes, but most equipment-related services were postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Chloe Mendelson, an AWC health promotion technician, explained that while they are still offering the BOD POD body composition test, they are looking forward to offering more metabolic and V02 max tests again.
“The metabolic test involves breathing into a tube to measure the amount of calories your body needs at a resting state,” said Mendelson. “The V02 max test requires the client to wear a heart rate monitor and respiratory mask while on a bike or treadmill, depending on the person.”
The treadmill V02 max test starts out with a base pace of 4.4 mph and increases .3 mph every minute until it reaches 6.2 mph. Once the max speed is reached, the treadmill incline then starts in increase by 1% every minute until 85%of the individual’s max heart rate is achieved.
“The V02 max text measures your aerobic capacity,” said AWC Health Educator Brandon Waller. “The more oxygen you use, the higher your endurance.”
After the V02 test, individuals can choose to measure their back strength, grip strength and flexibility to improve their performance on the Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT).
The AWC offers a series of classes designed to improve overall health and fitness through education, such as Upping Your Metabolism. This class serves as a prerequisite course for the metabolic test.
Other class sessions include Stress Management, Healthy Sleep Habits, Optimization and Fueling for Health.
“Individuals can self refer by calling the front desk and setting up an appointment, or by having a referral sent in by their PCM (Primary Care Manager),” said Mendelson. “Those who are under the age of 18 can only schedule an appointment if they have a referral sent in by their PCM.
Maintenance is currently being conducted on all AWC equipment in preparation for the official reopening in August, but classes will still be offered at the facility in the meantime.
“Most people don’t know how many calories they should be consuming, how many calories they are already consuming, or what intensity they should be working out at,” said Waller. “When it comes to trying to achieve any type of health/fitness goal, the first place you have to start is with awareness.”
The Fort Carson AWC, building 1843, is open Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., but will be closed for lunch from noon to 1 p.m. To schedule an appointment, please contact the AWC front desk at (719) 526-3887.