Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation offers two fitness centers on Fort Leonard Wood that can help people reach, maintain or surpass fitness goals both before, during and after the holiday season.
Davidson Fitness Center (located at 1300 South Dakota Ave.) and Specker Gym (at 6060 Michigan Ave.) each offer a wide range of fitness amenities and services.
Davidson Fitness Center (DFC) is the larger of the two facilities. It’s 67,000 square feet of floor space includes four full-size basketball courts, a volleyball court, a weight room, cardio room, an indoor track, two male and female locker rooms with a co-ed sauna, three full-sized racquetball courts, an aerobic studio and a natatorium featuring an Olympic-size indoor pool.
“Our vision at DFC is to provide exceptional programs with professional interactions with our guests — always,” said DFC facility manager Jeffrey Barrett. “With all of our exciting upcoming programs and events, family-friendly environment and unlimited access to all of the state-of-the-art equipment, we will ensure you have a great visit and be on the right path for a healthier lifestyle.”
Specker Gym offers a 16,000-square-foot weight room, a cardio room, a dedicated multi-use matted room and more.
“Specker Gym can be an integral part of your performance triad,” said Todd Angel, the gym’s fitness facility manager.
Both DFC and Specker Gym are available to active-duty service members, National Guard, reservists, military Family members, military retirees, Department of Defense employees and contractors.
While some special fitness events are open to the public, on most days, you will need a DOD ID card to use either facility.
Angel said he asks patrons to, “bring your DOD identification card, training clothes and a positive attitude” to Specker Gym.
Barrett said that to use DFC, “you will need to bring in your form of ID showing that you are authorized to use the facility. We have 100 percent ID check at all times upon entering.”
He also recommends bringing some water and workout clothes.
Both facilities are open early to accommodate a range of training schedules and needs. DFC’s regular hours are 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on holidays.
Specker Gym’s regular hours are from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, and from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays.
HIT THE WEIGHTS
Both facilities have an impressive range of weights and strength-training equipment, including Hammer Strength, Nautilus and Life fitness machines.
However, Specker Gym is considered the post’s premier weight-training center, and includes what Angel describes as “an ever expanding arsenal” of equipment, including free weights.
“The newest tools that have been added to the facility are both men’s and women’s bearing barbells that provide more spin and whip for weightlifting enthusiasts,” Angel said.
Specker Gym also has a new safety squat bar and a multi-grip Swiss bar that allows customers to challenge themselves physically and mentally.
Angel said Specker Gym’s motivational environment is one of the most popular aspects of the facility.
“We have also added an á la cart strength and conditioning program that is posted on our white board daily, Monday through Friday,” Angel said. “This program is written for the intermediate athlete who has the goals to become a bigger, stronger and faster version of themselves.”
FIND A CLASS
They say variety is the spice of life, and several ongoing studies show it can also be the key to fitness. With that in mind, both DFC and Specker Gym offer a wide variety of fitness classes.
“We also offer group fitness and aerobic classes daily,” Barrett said of DFC’s stable of classes, which include Zumba, Rip, TRX, Spin, yoga and cardio-style classes.
Specker Gym is the home base of the installation’s spin and yoga fitness programs. “The spin and yoga classes are held at various times during the week,” Angel said.
Both Barrett and Angel recommend that patrons consult the FMWR Fitness Calendar, available at both facilities, for details.
DFC also offers certified personal trainers, who, for a fee, can personalize a training program for individuals and groups. Rates and more information is available online at www.fortleonardwoodmwr.com/sports.php#persona_trainer.
If you have small children, DFC is likely the fitness destination for you.
The fitness center offers an insight child-care area, where parents can come enjoy a workout without having to worry about the hassle of searching for a babysitter.
“(The) area provides a full-size kids’ jungle gym, Family friendly music and cartoons for the little ones,” Barrett said. “For parents who want to interact with their kids on the weekends, we also offer an area for ping pong and foosball.”
DFC also has designated stroller times from 9 to 10 a.m., 2 to 3 p.m. and 7 to 8 p.m., so parents can push their little ones along the track as they work out.
SCHEDULE A GAME
Want to play a game? DFC is the site for several intramural and recreation leagues and tournaments, including basketball, volleyball and racquetball, and you can also sign up for sports held at other post facilities, such as softball and flag football at various times of the year.
Patrons can also reserve sports fields, pools and basketball courts at DFC. In fact, according to Barrett, basketball is one of the most popular activities at the fitness center.
“We typically have groups that come in each day and are dedicated to running their pickup games or participating in our (recreation) and intramural programs,” Barrett said.
For more information about either DFC or Specker Gym, or other events and activities happening on Fort Leonard Wood, log onto www.fortleonardwoodmwr.com.
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