At least one United States Army garrison in Germany is hoping that 24/7 fitness center access will help soldiers stay in fighting shape and improve readiness.
The U.S. Army Garrison Rheinland-Pfalz announced 24/7 access for most of its fitness centers, expanding availability to all employees within the footprint.
According to the Army website, the initiative ensures that the facilities will remain open and available at all times, regardless of holidays, weekends, or the time of day, providing greater flexibility and convenience to individuals seeking to prioritize their health and wellness.
“Providing 24/7 access benefits the Army as a whole because it supports readiness and enhances service delivery without mounting costs,” said Daniel Washington, fitness, athletics, and aquatics chief.
Washington said that, since 2019, almost 14,000 passes have been processed for the garrison's seven fitness centers.
“Our night owls and shift workers are the ones who benefit the most from being able to access the gyms after hours,” he said.
Police officers, firefighters, medical professionals, and retail employees represent a few of the occupations that frequently operate on rotating shift schedules. Because of time constraints (before or after their shift) some might try to rush through a workout, increasing their risk of getting injured. Having 24/7 PFC access provides them with a safe environment to relieve the stress from their jobs while accommodating their own lifestyle.
Authorized patrons over the age of 18 (or 17 if Active Duty) can be granted 24/7 access to the PFCs during unstaffed hours. Younger patrons (12 and older) can also use the facilities as long as they are always accompanied by their parents and after receiving the safety orientation.
“To date, the feedback we received from patrons concerning 24/7 access has been mostly positive,” said Washington. “They love it!”
He highlighted that the primary challenge lies in ensuring the smooth operation of the necessary automation systems.
“I must applaud our IT team; they have been on it!” Washington said. “Ensuring the smooth functioning of automation systems require careful attention and proactive management. We have been lucky to have a well-trained team dedicated to making sure our patrons are taken care of.”
