Just an update...

Your Fitness Committee wants you to know that we are continuing in our efforts to create a fitness resource that is both functional and practical. The committee meets biannually for the purpose of reviewing every facet of the resources we provide. Those meetings are supplemented by a constant exchange of ideas between individual committee members. The committee has made a tremendous amount of progress in working to provide an inclusive fitness resource. These achievements would not have been realized if it was not for the contributions (time, money, equipment & ideas) of several informal members. Their help and support has been greatly appreciated.

At our most recent committee meeting we identified several areas in which we believe we can increase the effectiveness of the resources we provide.

Expanding our use of the OBPD Fitness Blog.

• Inclusion of sample workouts.
• Expanded use of blog entries (more contributors - new topics).
• Refining current topics to ensure that their relevance and application is closely related to the environment we work in.
• E-mail notification of blog entries (already up and running).
• Posting "Workouts of the Day" (WOD's) on a weekly basis.
• Increasing the number of links to resource websites.

Creating workouts that are as inclusive as possible regardless of skill or fitness level.

• Three WOD's and one Thursday Challenge will be posted at the beginning of each week. This will allow you to choose the WOD or WOD's that best fit your schedule.
• Three training tracks will be posted for each WOD: Beginner, Intermediate & Practiced. Select the track that best fits your level of experience & fitness.
• Challenges will continue to be held every Thursday. However the format will change slightly in an effort to increase the level of participation. The challenges will be less complex and shorter in duration, with the exception of the last Thursday Challenge of the month. That challenge will be comprised of components from the month's previous challenges. Example: 1st Thursday - 100 push-ups for time. 2nd Thursday - 200 sit-ups for time. 3rd Thursday - 300 air squats for time. Last Thursday - 10 Sets of 10 push-ups, 20 sit-ups and 30 air squats.

Modifying our baseline testing.

• Testing will be more reflective of the fitness resources we are providing. Although the specific measurements have not yet been determined, they will not include a 1.5 mile run or bench press.
• The testing date(s) will be announced in the near future.

Adding additional equipment in an effort to meet the physical training needs of as many participants as possible.

• Two additional 45lb plates.
• Two 25lb. bumper plates.
• Two 8lb. kettlebells.
• Two 15lb. kettlebells.
• Four 40lb. sandbags.
• Four 80lb. sandbags.
• One E-Z Curl bar.
• One stability ball.

Unfortunately we have serious space limitations and need to select equipment that we are confident will be used on a regular basis (E-Z curl bar) or equipment that has the greatest application of use (sandbags and kettlebells).

I encourage each of you to take advantage of the resource created and maintained by your peers for the purpose of improving your level of fitness. As a Police Officer you do not have a right to be unfit. To do so is to not only risk your safety but the safety of the public and that of the men and women you work with everyday.

A Police Officer is who you are, not what you do.

www.obpdfitness.blogspot.com