With an ideal location in San Diego, Calif., MCAS Miramar is making great use of

its outdoor spaces, providing the entire base population — Marines, family members and retirees — with increased opportunities to get active and stay fit in the great outdoors.

The completion of a number of recent rejuvenation projects outdoors has helped the base realize its larger plan to increase fitness, sports and recreational options on base. Projects have included a walking/exercise path; a physical training (PT) course/run; new outdoor fitness equipment; an outdoor High Intensity Tactical Training (HITT) area; new tennis courts; new artificial turf at multiple sports fields; and a new ADA-compliant play-ground (within sight of the outdoor fitness equipment). New outdoor amenities and equipment were purchased to outfit these new spaces and support new and expanded programs.

In addition to the new opportunities to get active outdoors, MCAS Miramar has three fitness facilities to meet the needs of this diverse community. Ranging in size from 9,000 square feet to 25,000 square feet, the facilities offer cardio and strength training areas, as well as full court basketball and more than 30 group exercise classes per week. MCAS Miramar offers a variety of fitness equipment at all three fitness facilities from manufacturers including Concept2, Cybex, Hammer Strength, Hoist, Iron Grip, Life Fitness, Matrix, Marpo Kinetics, Nautilus, Precor, Star Trac and Woodway.

“Weight training and group exercise classes have become very popular among our Marines,” says Fitness Director Janie Bauckman, MCAS Miramar, who has 25 years experience with

Marine Corps Community Services (MCCS) and Navy Morale, Welfare and Recreation programs. “Abs class, yoga and Zumba are also in high demand.”

Miramar currently uses the Functional Movement Screen-ing assessment program within the HITT program, and offers the MicroFit fitness assessment system at all three facilities. “MicroFit is part of the personal training program, and we offer an initial assessment and then follow-up assessments to track progress,” says Bauckman. “Many Marines use it to monitor their body fat. Anyone can make an appointment with a personal trainer or staff member, who help in creating a training plan or regimen to meet fitness goals. Personal trainers, many with four-year degrees and multiple certifications, are available to help support the program.”

In addition, numerous incentive programs and competitions are offered throughout the year, including Friday Fit Club, Choose to Lose, 101 Days of Summer, 6-Week Boot Camp Class and Walking Club, for example.

OutdOOr Fitness and FunIn 2013, an exercise path around a large multipurpose field

area was installed, and the base worked with Menco Pacific, Inc. and Greenfields Outdoor Fitness Company to create three

The completion of a number of recent rejuvenation projects Marine Corps Community Services (MCCS) and Navy Morale,

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Community More Active

One of the many outdoor improvement projects included the addition of outdoor fitness equipment

that is used by Marines, spouses and retirees.Photo courtesy of MiraMar Public affairs

Ashley Pate, center, a Marine wife, leads a workout for spouses to help get in shape. Pate also works with Marine Wing Support Squadron 373 as a command team advisor to organize

events to bring spouses closer together.Photo by cPl. Melissa eschenbrenner

GOVERNMENT�RECREATION�&�FITNESS�• noVeMber 2013

Marine Corps Fitness

up to $4 million,” says Guasti. “We submitted several projects totaling just over $6 million and were awarded all but one.”

The approved projects included converting two existing softball fields to synthetic turf; constructing a new restroom and recreation support building at the softball fields, which included areas for picnicking and team gathering; a new restroom at Mills Park, which is the location of the multipurpose field, walking path and outdoor exercise equipment areas; lighting and new surfacing for an outdoor basketball court; a new 1.5-mile PT run that has pull-up and sit-up stations at both ends; the addition of picnicking and gathering areas; and a new ADA-compliant playground.

“The snack bar, restroom building and storage facility were built, and we are also finishing up new lighting at our Youth Sports Complex, which includes four fields that had previously all been converted to synthetic turf,” notes Guasti.

The base is working with Musco Lighting for the project, and FieldTurf provided the new turf for the youth sports fields. The playground, which is located near the new lodge — Inns of the Corps Miramar — was provided by Innovative Playgrounds. In addition, Shade ’N Net provided shade structures, trash recep-tacles and sports field benches (with base logo). ADA picnic benches were purchased through BCI Burke.

“We really needed and fought for the artificial turf, which has been a big initiative with the Marine Corps and the Navy, while in the Air Force it is the standard,” notes Guasti. “It really is fortuitous right now with the budget cuts because we are sav-ing water, striping time, mowing time and labor. With so many people in Athletics and Semper Fit being asked to do multiple tasks, this field conversion frees up time that they wouldn’t normally have because of field upkeep and maintenance. Plus, we have more playing time and less down time.”

Another big project that was completed recently is the addi-tion of two new United States Tennis Association (USTA) tennis courts. Miramar worked with Connor Sport Court International on the tennis surfacing, lighting and design, as well as surfacing and goals for the outdoor basketball courts. “Both the tennis and basketball courts get good usage, and they are located in the same parking lot as Mills Park, next to base housing,” says Guasti. “We also have the dog park there and the playground, with the exercise track and outdoor fitness equipment areas close by.”

destinatiOn areaMany of these new projects have been done at or around

Mills Park, creating an ultimate destination area that has some-thing for everyone.

“We have seen an increase in people using the outdoor fa-cilities and amenities,” notes Guasti. “One of the heartwarming pieces of the project is seeing young families and parents with strollers and oftentimes two children, out there on the track with a double stroller walking, using the fitness equipment or doing exercises. It is great because they can meet up as a group together, to socialize and exercise together and motivate each other. We have the workout stations out there for them as well. The other PT track is very popular all day long — especially in the morning and lunchtime.”

“Although it has been a year of serving the active duty, we’ve made every effort to serve families and retirees,” adds Bauck-man. “Mills Park is now a multipurpose gathering space that

outdoor fitness areas containing a total of 12 pieces of Green-fields outdoor fitness equipment, which can be used by people of all abilities, from Marines to family members to retirees.

“This project was part of our family fitness initiative, and the outdoor fitness equipment is heavily used by all authorized patrons,” notes Bauckman. “There are three pads with equip-ment, and they use it all the time. And there is one area that is set up closer to the playground structure, so parents can see their children playing while they exercise and train. It has worked out very well for us. You see moms and retirees using it in the morning and evening, and young military couples with their children in the afternoon or in the evening after work.”

The outdoor improvement projects are primarily funded through the Office of the Secretary of Defense, and are focused on fitness and family fitness, as well as challenging obesity, according to Frank J. Guasti, director of Facilities, MCCS, MCAS Miramar.

“Projects were submitted during the FY11 and FY12 cycle, and could include new projects up to $750,000 or repair projects

up to $4 million,” says Guasti. “We submitted several projects totaling just over $6 million and were awarded all but one.”totaling just over $6 million and were awarded all but one.”

softball fields to synthetic turf; constructing a new restroom and recreation support building at the softball fields, which included areas for picnicking and team gathering; a new restroom at Mills Park, which is the location of the multipurpose field, walking path and outdoor exercise equipment areas; lighting and new surfacing for an outdoor basketball court; a new 1.5-mile PT run that has pull-up and sit-up stations at both ends; the addition of picnicking and gathering areas; and a new ADA-compliant playground.

built, and we are also finishing up new lighting at our Youth Sports Complex, which includes four fields that had previously all been converted to synthetic turf,” notes Guasti.

FieldTurf provided the new turf for the youth sports fields. The playground, which is located near the new lodge — Inns of the Corps Miramar — was provided by Innovative Playgrounds. In addition, Shade ’N Net provided shade structures, trash receptacles and sports field benches (with base logo). ADA picnic benches were purchased through BCI Burke.

has been a big initiative with the Marine Corps and the Navy, while in the Air Force it is the standard,” notes Guasti. “It really is fortuitous right now with the budget cuts because we are saving water, striping time, mowing time and labor. With so many people in Athletics and Semper Fit being asked to do multiple tasks, this field conversion frees up time that they wouldn’t normally have because of field upkeep and maintenance. Plus, we have more playing time and less down time.”

tion of two new United States Tennis Association (USTA) tennis courts. Miramar worked with Connor Sport Court International on the tennis surfacing, lighting and design, as well as surfacing and goals for the outdoor basketball courts. “Both the tennis and basketball courts get good usage, and they are located in the same parking lot as Mills Park, next to base housing,” says Guasti. “We also have the dog park there and the playground, with the exercise track and outdoor fitness equipment areas

A Marine works out as part of the High Inten-sity Tactical Training

(HITT) program. Photo by lance cPl.

Michelle Piehl

GOVERNMENT�RECREATION�&�FITNESS�• noVeMber 2013

Marine Corps Fitness

rubber was used in the 300-square-foot pit that is used for doing tire tosses and kettlebells.

“The poured surface worked out well for the functional fitness space,” notes Guasti. “And the crumbled rubber using recycled material is great for the tire-flipping pit. This has been a great space, and they can do some combative activity out there, too.”

A large storage unit is available with various types of equip-ment that can be used outdoors, including kettlebells, rubber-ized plates, bars, ropes, weighted vests, versa logs, cones, tires, plyo-boxes, speed bags, TRX and more.

“The area is shaded and lighted (with a timer), and groups or units can train all hours,” notes Bauckman. “We have trainers who program this space utilizing functional fitness equipment. The functional fitness area has relieved some of the stress on the fitness centers. Due to the popularity of the space, a lot of Marines train on the fitness pad daily.”

Miramar has hosted several HITT clinics through Marine Corps Semper Fit. With cooperation and team work from MCB Camp Pendleton, Miramar and MCRD San Diego training staff, 75 Marines were recently certified as HITT Level 1 trainers. “Our certified Marines are using the HITT Center to train mem-bers of their command,” notes Bauckman. “We also offer other classes at the HITT Center, such as suspension training, rope training, Olympic lifting and upper-body strength training.”

Bauckman points out that Marines work out everywhere using a variety of equipment.

“They adapt according to the size of the workout space, and make use of every type of equipment available,” she explains. “San Diego provides the perfect climate for outdoor workouts, so they utilize our track, playing fields and functional fitness spaces from dawn to dusk. By offering quality and versatile fitness programs and facilities, our Marines and families have everything they need to establish well-rounded health and fit-ness regimens to support all aspects of their lives.” —GRF

is used for anything from unit picnics to exercise to physical training on the field. Plus, we have a strong retiree population using our outdoor facilities. In the long run it will cut healthcare and medical costs for this group. The new areas are really used by the entire population at Miramar.”

Guasti points out that “de-stressing is a big part of the pro-gram, as well as reintegration for some of these families that are coming off of a wartime footing to home life. They need good outlets and things they can do together.”

He continues, “It is not uncommon to see a bunch of units using Mills Park for training and events, while at the same time retirees are using the outdoor fitness equipment, some mothers are on the track with their strollers and/or dogs, and the tennis courts and basketball courts are buzzing with activity. This kind of usage is what we envisioned with these projects and new and improved facilities.”

Because so many more people are coming outdoors, Bauck-man says Semper Fit is trying to program more using the new space. “We have a Fitness and Nutrition class and a new class that just started that involves strollers and walking and training and using the track, both of which are run by the dietician,” she explains. “It is also a great networking and meeting place for these moms and spouses. That is the other idea behind these projects: to create more meeting places for healthy activity and socializing.”

OutdOOr Hitt training With the introduction of the HITT program Marine Corps-

wide, Miramar created an outdoor training space with all of the tools and equipment needed to run the HITT program success-fully. The outdoor functional fitness area is designed as an open 3,500-square-foot training space that includes an enclosed pit for workouts utilizing large tires or kettlebells. The area allows Marines enough room to train as a unit or individually.

Miramar worked with Gotham Playgrounds, which supplied the poured surface for the main surface, and virgin crumbled

Col. Frank Richie, the commanding officer of MCAS Miramar, and his family hit tennis balls to break the ribbon during a ceremony

for the opening of new tennis courts.Photo by cPl. Melissa eschenbrenner

noVeMber 2013 •�GOVERNMENT�RECREATION�&�FITNESS�