Civilian plays vital role in shaping 132d Wing

  • Published
  • By TSgt Michael McGhee
  • 132D Wing
132d Wing, Des Moines, IA --  On the gym floor in the Exchange building Nick Jarosh, Fitness Instructor and Owner of Nick Jarosh Fitness, gives an encouraging shout, "let's get ready" as he walks by each airman smacking high fives as they warm-up before the start of the workout. Six years ago, Nick wasn't even thinking about having a regular workout program at the 132d Wing. Not until he met Kyle Stepp, fellow instructor and 132d Wing member, and spoke with him about starting a workout program for guard members. Once he recieved the approval for the class, it started small with only a few members four days a week but over time, classes have flourished with new airmen and even includes a weekend class for traditional guardsmen.
What turned out to be something that could have only lasted a month, "It's pretty hard to believe I have been instructing at the wing for over 5 years."
He added that he has been a YMCA fitness instructor for over seven years and has been with Kosama in Ankeny for over 5 years. Nick varies his program with a range of exercises, from running, elliptical, and circuits. He also rotates the workouts to focus on targeting different zones of the body.
In speaking with SSgt Terry Jones after a session on what he enjoys most out of the class, he replied, "The Pain. It lets you know you have put the work in."
While members indicated that working out as group is motivational and pushes them as opposed to working out alone. A number of items the airmen commented about the group as a sense of completion afterwards and helps in their own accountability in their personal fitness goals, and finally there is a sense of group camaraderie before, during, and after the sessions.   
Nick does realize the work at hand and anyone who has taken the class within the past two years has passed their next physical training test (PT test). A sense of pride goes with working with the 132d, "I enjoy instructing and it's kind of my way of contributing toward the fitness mission, I want to thank the base for the opportunity in helping."
Nick's classes are Tuesday through Friday at the Exchange building. Tuesday and Thursday hours are from 7:00-10:00AM, while Wednesday and Friday hours range from 3:00-5:00PM. For more information contact Nick Jarosh at (515) 371-5881.