| Bodybuilding competitors come from all walks of life. They could work in the corporate world, be shop assistants, labourers, nurses, be at home Mums or they could come from the Airforce! In which our newest wonder women are from. Ashleigh Foote and Angela Ball work as Physical Training Instructors in the RNZAF in Blenheim and this year they have their sights set on competing at the NABBA Nelson Bays Champs in Oct which will held in Blenheim. So we thought it would be interesting to find out what its like working in the Airforce and how Ashleigh will cope with the transition from wearing her uniform to wearing a bikini and being on heels! |
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| Angela (left) and Ashleigh (right) |
1. what do you do in Airforce? My trade is Physical Training Instructor and I am a Corporal. My working hours Mon - Fri 0745 - 1630
2. when and where do you train I work at the gym on base so we train there as well. Its really handy as its right next to our office. I usually train at lunchtime.
3. do you still have to do a regular fitness tests? what does that involve? Yes. We have to do an OFT (operational fitness test) once a year which involves a max push up test and a 5km march wearing a 20kg weighted vest and belt. There are different requirements for age and sex.
As a PTI we also have to do an additional test once a year which is a 3.2km run. Again there are different standards for age/sex.
4. what kind of training do you make the personnel do. Is it gym based or do you go out on obstacle courses and cane the heck out of them! We do a whole range of training with them. It ranges from weight training, circuits, running, battle PT (running around carrying logs, tyres etc), swimming and classes on sports skills. We also run a 3 hour sports event once a month for our trainees. These can be anything from orienteering, athletics, cross country, sports tournament to a beach carnival!
