Sunday marks the beginning of the IDF’s annual Fitness Week, and this year, a new initiative has been implemented in the hope of improving the physical condition of non-combatants. The elevator in the Kirya (Defense Ministry complex) in Tel Aviv has been blocked to soldiers serving in the building.
 
It is not that dramatic actually since the elevator will only be blocked from the fifth floor down.
 
During the week, spinning and other fitness activities will be taking place on bases, especially Officer’s Training Base Ba’ad 1.
 
On Monday, headed by IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-General Gabi Ashkenazi, the General Staff will take part in a fitness event, taking part in spinning and other activities on the roof of the Kirya.

Special booths will be set up in the Kirya during the week, checking vital signs and giving medical and fitness advice to soldiers. The main event will be in the Ba’ad 1 area, with a large race held with the inclusion of many ground forces.
 
Since Dr. Colonel Avi Moyle assumed his post two years ago as head of combat fitness, he has implemented programs to trim down the waistlines of career [non-combatant] officers and to improve the fitness of all officers. Dr. Moyle is a big proponent of “strengthening and prevention”, to maintain and improve one’s fitness level while highlighting prevention, to avoid orthopedic and other injuries.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)