Maintaining Physical Fitness While Deployed
By Ms. Michelle Piehl, Staff Writer
The Air Force maintains physical fitness standards to ensure combat readiness for all Airmen. Part of this readiness includes maintaining these standards throughout a deployment. During deployment, resources for physical fitness may be available through a base gym, or equipment and facilities may be more sparse, depending on the location. Even in limited situations, physical fitness can still be a priority—Airmen just need to be a little more creative in their approach.
No weight-lifting equipment? Consider bodyweight movements or get creative with using everyday items as weights, such as water bottles, ammo cans filled with sand, or flak jacket plates. Functional movements incorporating combat fitness movements like lifting, pulling, and throwing can also be a form of exercise worth pursuing.
If classes are offered on base, consider attending one regularly. Whether you prefer yoga or high-intensity tactical training, classes can be a great way to participate in fitness in a more social setting. Such group activities encourage camaraderie and support. Classes are often taught on a routine basis, leading to healthy habits.
If your location has access to the internet, consider using online exercise videos, routines, and plans to develop a repertoire of content. Plan ahead of a deployment without access to internet to ensure that you have physical copies of any exercise routines and plans.
Pickup sports are another great way to engage in physical activity while deployed. Basketball, soccer, kickball—many options exist for playing sports. Organized gameplay can also be a great way to engage the mind and body in functional movements to keep the body in top condition. Sports can also lead to a greater sense of camaraderie and cohesion; they are a great way to make friends, too.
Other organized activities might include physical training like running, hiking, or group exercise. Performing exercises together boosts unit morale and helps provide a sense of accountability to each other. These activities can expand on bodyweight exercises by using a similarly weighted partner as a form of weight for buddy carries, drags, and other functional movements.
Make a routine, no matter how you engage in physical fitness. Creating a schedule leads to greater accountability to oneself. Consider having a fitness accountability partner or gym buddy to hold one another mutually accountable to a routine.
Not only do these activities maintain physical fitness standards, but working out can also be an effective and enjoyable means of stress relief. While deployed, mental fitness is even more important than ever for maintaining a healthy state of being.
Before any activity on deployment, remember that situational awareness is paramount. If exercising in a high-temperature environment, limit the time spent outdoors and drink lots of water. Also, never work out in an area that could expose you to an enemy. Always tell someone where and when you will be working out if exercising alone.
Maintaining fitness while deployed is an important aspect of any mission. Staying mentally healthy, eating well, and exercising regularly maintain and support combat readiness.