Should all Military installations maintain a 24 hour gym?

2014-12-01T18:11:40-05:00

For members of the Military, fitness is an essential part of our jobs. The singular reasoning behind not having a gym accessible to us at all times is funding. I would venture to say that having a place where we can go, workout, hangout, and vent, at all times of the day and night, would be productive towards suicide prevention, morale, and even helping to reduce how many people we lose to DUIs etc... That being said, shouldn't the Military find a way to get the gyms to open for 24/7 or at least seven days a week with longer hours? Or what if the Military privatized gyms and we paid a nominal fee to use them?

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 1 at 2014 7:32 PM

2014-12-01T19:32:13-05:00

I like your idea, 1SG Private RallyPoint Member. Some civilian gyms are open 24/7. The problem with doing that at military gyms is the cost. In the days of drawdown, it would be hard to justify the cost of 24/7 gyms. Maybe your fall-back position would be more palatable: longer hours and open seven days a week.

With all that said, I agree with you. Physical fitness is a very important aspect of the military, so having access to a gym to stay in shape seems to be a reasonable expectation.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 6 at 2014 6:25 PM

2014-12-06T18:25:27-05:00

I certainly agree that we need gyms that at a minimum have extended hours. Here in Alaska it is hard to go on a run during the winter, however; we are lucky enough to have one cross fit gym that stays open 7 days a week and has a track for us to do some indoor cardio. I use that gym on holidays when the main gyms are closed or have special hours.

Response by Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 23 at 2014 9:27 AM

2014-12-23T09:27:07-05:00

How much does it cost to not lock the doors at night?

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 12 at 2016 9:21 AM

2016-02-12T09:21:02-05:00

When I was stationed at Fort Campbell - I hated the fact that the gyms closed by 2100 (1900 on Sunday) in the evening. I would love for at least one gym on every major post to be open 24 hours to accommodate the late evening/early morning gym goers.

Response by SFC Michael Garner made Feb 15 at 2016 10:58 AM

2016-02-15T10:58:12-05:00

Jour getto gyms worked just fine, why not do that in the BN area...with the higher ups leaving ng their rank in the office like when we were over there, seemed to work fine, military courtesy remained though it was not required. Except saluting, it was a salute free zone!

Response by A1C Ian Williams made Apr 23 at 2019 9:43 PM

2019-04-23T21:43:15-04:00

Yes, because active aerobic and resistance training can have great impact on long term health and no because normal circadian cycles have the Best results with current health 1SG Private RallyPoint Member so sayeth Ian the student of medicine. Photo sensitive hormones should be respected.