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With the recent news of fitness testing changes, Airmen are trying to find new and innovative ways to help keep their health and fitness up to par year-round.
One of the sports Airmen on Ramstein are playing to keep up those high intensity workouts is racquetball.
“Racquetball helps me keep up my fitness level,” said Airman 1st Class Grovert Fuentes-Contreras, 86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs photographer, who is also a physical training leader. “This is what I do for my PT each week, and I not only love racquetball, but I can feel the intensity of my workout after the game.”
The sport is not only good for physical training; many people simply have a great passion for the game.
“Racquetball is a great exercise. I play mostly for the love of the game and to help me stay in shape,” said Airman 1st Class Cory Howard, 86th Services Squadron food services journeyman.
Similar to handball, racquetball is played on a four-walled court where the walls and ceiling are fair game. It also takes agility and speed to be successful.
“It is the second fastest sport in the world,” Airman Fuentes-Contreras said. “It beats soccer, but not tennis. I love to be competitive and have fun at the same time.”
Some might think hitting the ball hard is the key to racquetball, but Airman Fuentes-Contreras said there is more to the game.
“The best part is challenging yourself to think smarter about your shots and not harder,” the three-year veteran added. “Every day playing racquetball is a challenge. You never know if you’re going to have a good day or a bad day.”
Though he now has a year and a half of game time under his belt, Airman Howard’s matches didn’t always start off as smooth as he is today.
“After playing for only six months, I was still learning how to control the ball,” he said. “Although I had pretty decent control, I still managed to hit my previous base commander in the back of the head as he crossed my path. I really thought I was going to lose some stripes.”
Like other sports, rank doesn’t matter on the court, and it often offers Airmen a unique opportunity to play against other Airmen, civilians and even members of leadership.
“I’ve played against commanders and higher ranking individuals, and rank does not make its way to the court,” Airman Fuentes-Contreras said. “When you are playing the game, it is about the game and not what you wear on your uniform. I’ve even beat some leadership. It is about the competition. It’s anyone’s game.”
Many athletes are sponsored by companies to play – that includes military members. Being sponsored helps players with costs of equipment, uniforms and other items.
“I am sponsored by Head Penn Racquetball,” Airman Howard said. “My goal is to play for the Air Force team or eventually possibly get out and play professional for Head.”
Airman Fuentes-Contreras is also sponsored by Head Penn Racquetball. While many people are awed with the intensity of racquetball, it is not as easy as it looks.
“There is a lot more to racquetball than it looks while watching people play,” Airman Howard said. “Racquetball takes time and patience to learn and play. People who have been playing for a while tend to make it look easier. It is an awesome game everyone should be able to experience at least once in their life.”
For more information on the sport and upcoming tournaments in Europe, check out www.racquetball-aera-com, a Web site sponsored by military athletes and their families.
You can also call the North and Southside fitness centers to reserve courts and for more information.
