Chapel office sponsors "Faith and Fitness Expo"

  • Published
  • By 944th Fighter Wing Chapel Office
LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --  With the Air Force's new fitness standards, which went into effect July 1, the 944th Fighter Wing Chapel Office is bringing support, encouragement and resources to wing members at a "Faith and Fitness Expo" this weekend at the center field of the base track.

Beginning at 5:30 a.m. on Sunday, the Chapel Office will bring together an Air Force Triathlon gold medalist, a registered dietician, a track coach, and muscle fitness experts to help members with meeting and exceeding the new fitness standards.

"It may seem strange for the chapel staff to sponsor a fitness function, but it really does make complete sense," said Master Sgt. Sandra Plentzas, 944th FW Chapel Operations NCO in charge and expo coordinator. "As a matter of fact, many elite athletes will say that a belief in something higher than themselves is what gives them the strength to perform athletically."

Air Force Chapels provide resources for the emotional, spiritual and even social well being of Airmen and their families, according to Sergeant Plentzas.

"Relying on those areas of well being to build physical strength only increases the success rate for being mission ready," she said.

The following is scheduled for the Faith and Fitness Expo:

Special guest and Air Force Triathlon gold medalist, 1st Lt. Kathy Rakel, 56th Operations Group, will share her fitness story and how faith factors into that story.

Body composition (waist measurement) test component help from Rick Hall, a registered dietician and Arizona State University faculty member who teaches sports nutrition and nutrition technology. He will provide advice on how to get diet and exercise to work together to attain the waist measurement needed for success.

Cardiorespiratory endurance (1.5 mile run) test component help from elite runner and local track coach, Jeffrey Goldstein, who will provide advice on how to work up to a mile and a half. He will also show how to get faster and achieve your goal score.

Muscle fitness (sit-ups/push-ups) test component help from J.R. Rosania, one of the nation's top performance enhancement coaches, will provide fitness exercises for the men and women of the 944th Fighter Wing to help specifically with increasing sit-up and push-up scores.

In addition, members of the Phoenix huddle of Fellowship of Christian Athletes will share how they have combined their faith with their love for fitness.

Jason Ford of FCA will be the guest speaker at the Christian Devotional Service at 6:30 a.m. at the expo.

Other resources at the expo include information from FirstWaveTriathlon Club, a local non-profit club that offers friendship, workouts, and support to anyone desiring to learn about or participate in multi-sport events, the 56th Force Support Squadron, and the 944th Services Flight will provide support and nourishment in the form of food and water.

"Come out and support your fellow Wingmen as they become the first unit members to test under the new fitness standards," said Chaplain (Capt.) Larry Kittle, 944th FW chaplain. "Then, take with you fitness, nutrition, and spiritual help that will make you mission ready."