MARINE CORPS AIR STATION CHERRY POINT, N.C. -- Three new outdoor gyms are near completion at Cherry Point and Marine Corps Community Services hopes to unveil the venues by the end of May.
“These outdoor gyms will provide a small solution to the overcrowding at the Devil Dog Gym when Marines are trying to work out,” said Mike Largent, director of MCCS Cherry Point. “We will be able to accommodate up to 100 more Marines a day, which is great.”
The gyms, located at Lanham Field, behind the Marine Dome and across the street from Marine Air Control Group 28, feature 14 workout stations and can accommodate more than 30 people at one time. The shaded, cushioned structures will feature equipment designed to give users a full-body workout, according to Largent.
“I really think these outdoor gyms are a fantastic idea,” said Sgt. Maj. Benjamin Pangborn, the station sergeant major. “MCCS was able to get these outdoor gyms for the Marines so they can have another opportunity and another place to be able to improve their physical fitness. "
The gyms are part of a series of improvements at Cherry Point, including a new, larger gym facility scheduled for construction in 2016.
“These new workout stations will provide some solution until we get the new gym,” said Largent. “We can take care of more people because the gym isn’t accommodating everyone and we want our service members to have the best equipment.”
With improvements and changes on the horizon, Pangborn hopes the new outdoor gyms will encourage Marines to continue building on their physical fitness.
“A lot of people seem skeptical because they’ve never used the outdoor gyms, but I think once they see it and get a good workout from it, they’ll have a good time,” said Pangborn.