Hurlburt kicks off Air Force Fitness Month Published May 8, 2015 By Airman 1st Class Andrea Posey 1st Special Operations Wing Public Affairs HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. -- Hurlburt Field kicked off Air Force Fitness Month with a fitness day hosted by the 1st Special Operations Force Support Squadron at the Aderholt Fitness Center here, May 6.Five teams participated in a variety of events formulated to test their physical abilities.“We are excited to participate in Air Force Fitness Month throughout May to promote physical wellness, and we want to ensure Airmen are aware of how being ‘fit’ plays a vital role in the quality of military life,” said Tech. Sgt. Jason Andrews, 1st Special Operations Force Support Squadron fitness NCO in charge.The 2nd Combat Weather System Squadron team finished first overall in the competition and won the Commander’s Trophy for their squadron.“It was exciting for us to win,” said Staff Sgt. Kirk Mendive, 2nd Combat Weather System Squadron weather systems evaluator. “We take our PT seriously in our squadron and we have a high excellence rate in our PT scores. I believe that’s what helped our team in the event.”The Air Force Fitness Program’s goal is to motivate Airmen to participate in a year-round physical conditioning program that emphasizes total fitness, to include proper aerobic conditioning, strength and flexibility training and healthy eating. Health benefits from an active lifestyle will increase productivity, optimize health and decrease absenteeism while maintaining a higher level of readiness.“We’ve beefed up our calendar of events for the summer months with big emphasis on May, however, we promote fitness every day of the year,” said Bonnie Bentley Aderholt Gym fitness director. “Not only is being in shape important to pass the Air Force PT test, but it also improves the way Airmen feel about themselves, provides good mental health and helps in every part of their physical being.”Hurlburt is set to host five different events during the month to provide Airmen an assortment of fitness activities from which to choose. Squadrons are encouraged to participate, and the squadron with the highest amount of participation in the culmination of events will receive the Commander’s Trophy.Below are some of the events set to be hosted throughout May: • May 9 -- Paddleboard Yoga (Sound Side 8:00 a.m.)• May 11 -- 15th Annual Commando Spirit 5K (Aderholt Fitness Center 7:00 a.m.)• May 16 -- Yoga on the Beach (Sound Side 9:00 a.m.)• May 20 -- Zumba on the Beach (Sound Side 7:15 a.m.)• May 30 -- Beach body work out (Sound Side 7:15a.m.)For more information, contact the Aderholt Gym at 850-884-6884 or the Commando Fitness Center at 850-884-4412.