JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas –
Patrons here can rock out with drumsticks while burning calories in a new fitness class offered at the Kelly Fitness Center.
Instead of pounding down on the drums, they pound down on floor mats to the beat of various artists from hip-hop, rhythm and blues, and house music.
Pound Fitness, created by fitness experts and music enthusiasts Kirsten Potenza and Cristina Peerenboom, joined to the fitness calendar at JBSA-Lackland in February. It is a 45-minute full body jam session that combines light resistance with simulated drumming; fusing cardio, Pilates, plyometrics and isometric poses and movements.
Veronica Banks, a certified Zumba and Bokwa instructor with a bachelor's degree in dance, conducts the class Mondays and Wednesdays at 11:30 a.m. After discovering Pound via Google, she sought certification to teach the program and achieved it in April 2013.
Letty Martinez, Air Force Medical Support Agency SQL database administrator, said that she had difficulty shedding inches off her waist following the birth of her second child, so she began taking Banks' class off base in October after receiving positive reviews from friends.
Martinez has lost 20 pounds and gone down three pant sizes in four months. Her goal is to fit into size 8 pants.
"I am going to get there eventually," Martinez said. "Give me a couple of more months and I'll be there."
Pound has also helped her build strength in her arms, legs, and core body, she said.
"After months of doing this workout, I can see that my legs are structured differently," the database administrator explained. "I am seeing definition in my abdominals and shoulders."
Martinez added that she has also gained confidence from taking the class.
"At first, I couldn't do the workout," she said. "I can hit the floor, and I can stay through the whole workout. Core was my biggest weakness, but now I can do it."
Banks recommends the class for Airmen who are looking to achieve specific goals of their own. She noted that the exercise can help Airmen pass their physical training test as well as develop or enhance their strength.
Each Pound Fitness session costs $2. Call the Kelly Fitness Center at 925-4848 for more details.