114TH FW hosts professional fitness trainer

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Luke Olson
  • 114th Fighter Wing
JOE FOSS FIELD/SIOUX FALLS, S.D --  The 114th Fighter Wing Top 3 organization invited Cuong Nguyen, owner of Cuong Strong Personal Training and Fitness, to speak with members of the wing about the annual physical training test and overall health and fitness. The Top 3 is made up of senior noncommissioned officers, whose goal is to foster improved communication, collaboration, and engagement within the South Dakota Air National Guard.

“This fitness event was an opportunity for the 114th FW to offer an information resource on fitness and nutrition to our members,” said Master Sergeant Jayme Werning, 114th bio-environmental engineer non-commissioned officer in charge and member of the 114th FW Top 3 organization.

Werning felt that Nguyen’s background and previous experience training military members to pass their annual physical training test was the precise combination the Top 3 was hoping to provide to our members for a knowledgable exchange.

Nguyen pivoted into a more healthy lifestyle with an emphasis on physical fitness after he was prescribed high blood pressure medication as an overweight 18 year old. Since then he has attained an Exercise Science Degree and is now an International Sports Sciences Association Certified Personal Trainer and Certified Fitness Nutrition Specialist.

Nguyen gave detailed instructions of how to pass each phase of the Air Force physical fitness assessment that members are required to complete annually.

“There are no magic tricks out there when it comes to being physically fit and losing weight,” said Nguyen. “You just have to put in the work and you have to eat less calories, that’s it, there is no magic.”

He also encouraged service members to give themselves enough time to lose weight and to not cut everything out all at once. He stressed how important it was to set attainable personal goals.

When asked what his best tip was to maintain a healthy diet, Nguyen suggested to track your food intake because it will make you think twice about whether or not that pop, candy, or pizza is really needed.

“If it doesn’t challenge you, it doesn’t change you,” said Nguyen.

Werning felt there is a need to have continuous learning on fitness and health and that physical training is an important part of what we do to succeed in our jobs.

“Our lives are increasingly busy and with high job tempo, it can be difficult for airmen to focus on fitness and nutrition,” said Werning. “I’m hoping this event sets a spark in our members to take initiative with their health.”