HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. -- Fitness resolutions usually come at the beginning of the year, but it certainly seems easier to get energized about those goals when the weather improves. How frustrating is it to have a plan in mind and get yourself to the gym, only to find that the equipment you need is out of order? We do our best to keep this equipment in top-notch shape, but the staff always appreciates your efforts to tell them of any problem you see.

For those of you exercising outside, we have updated our base policy on headsets to be consistent with the Air Force guidelines. That means that if you are running outside, you can now use your headsets, but only with one ear bud in your ear. This allows you to maintain awareness to traffic and other potential dangers while still jamming to your favorite tunes. We also have a new weekly running program to help improve your running style. It takes place Wednesdays at 6:30 a.m. For further details, visit www.hanscomservices.com.

Question: As someone who uses the base fitness center, I find it frustrating that so many cardio machines are currently out of service. This is a common occurrence that is hardly ever remedied expediently. Within the past few months, a fitness center staff member mentioned the facility would be getting all new cardio machines this year. Is this true? I understand the Operations and Maintenance budget is growing smaller by the minute, but I was curious about the status on this. If the facility will not be getting new machines, can fixing the broken ones become a higher priority? It would be motivating to gym patrons and those considering using the facility to see all of the machines working properly. Thank you.

Response: Thank you for your inputs. Our Fitness and Sports Center staff strives to keep everything up and running smoothly and we recognize the huge impact on you when even one machine is down. Fixing the machines we have is always a top priority. Our maintenance technician on site usually facilitates quick repair time, but sometimes we need to order special parts and that just takes longer than we want.

In terms of new equipment, the rumor of all new cardio machines is not accurate. However, we have requested quite a bit of new equipment, to include cardio, weights and mats, through the centrally funded Air Force program. This is great because we don't have to use our own funds to pay for it, but it is bad because we never quite know when it will arrive. We expect it sometime this summer and will let you know when it arrives.

The fitness center continuously strives to provide the best fitness equipment workout environment for the Hanscom community, so please share your ideas with the staff so we can provide the best to suit your needs.

Next week: Mark your calendars for next week's Base Readiness Exercise. Keep your recall rosters handy and stay alert for a different kind of "exercise" happening around base.