Pushin' up the Air Force physical fitness scores...one hour at a time.

  • Published
  • By SSgt Leslie Kraushaar
  • 920 RQW
PATRICK AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. - --  Think - ten minutes till the hour, every hour, every day - push-ups. Sounds fun, right?

The crew at the 920th Aeromedical Staging Squadron have been participating in an internal program, Push-up Pals Club (or PPC), since May and have found ways to make it fun...even if it means ribbing their co-workers.

The PPC, an office-wide endeavor, is a program that has the group at ASTS performing either push-ups or sit-ups ten minutes till the hour, every hour, every day to improve their physical fitness scores.

The founders of this not-so-elite-but-fun club, Staff Sgt. Shannon Farris and Mr. Rich Pollock, have seen marked improvement in their co-workers and themselves.

"It keeps everyone motivated to stay in shape," said Farris. "We joke and tease each other until we get out from behind our desks and do the push-ups."

Starting the program was an easy way to ease the fears of up-coming physical fitness testing. The biggest worry of the tests was the push-ups and sit-ups, said Farris.

"Everyone would say how out of shape they were regarding the push-ups," Farris said. That prompted her to think of ways to keep everyone motivated and in shape year-round.

"It's just more motivating to do in a group than on your own," she adds.

The goal of the program is to get everyone in the office to have passing scores on their physical fitness test.

"It's all about being prepared," said Mr. Pollock. "If I'm prepared and ready going into the testing I'm going to be more confident while testing and that's the goal."

Also knowing that you helped your coworker pass is a self-confidence booster as well, he said.

Not only does the good-natured harassing keep everyone accountable to the program, but the results speak for themselves.

"My PT score is the best it's ever been," said Senior Master Sgt. Bruce Lininger.

Since starting the program at the office, it has motivated Lininger to hit the gym after work, inspiring his wife to do the same.

The PPC is always looking for those who want to participate in their group sessions. In fact, it's common to see visitors in the office getting down and giving 20 - or 10 - during the ten-minute session.
"They always do fine," said Lininger.

So, next time you find yourself ten till the hour in the 920th Aeromedical Staging Squadron, watch out, you may find yourself getting an unplanned workout!