Army veteran Andrew Greer credits an Arizona State University fitness program with helping to lift decades of depression and brain fog. I had to change it. And ASU and Home Base has really helped me out with that,
Greer said. The free, 90-day Warrior Health and Fitness program, a partnership between ASU’s College of Health Solutions and Home Base, is designed to help military service members, veterans and their families rebuild their health, confidence and connection.
A Community Built for Veterans
Participants can get some of that camaraderie and community back that maybe they’ve found difficult to find outside of military service,
said Rachel Cassalia, director of the College of Health Solution’s Military and Veteran Resilience and Health Collaborative and a clinical associate professor. The partnership grew from conversations involving Home Base, the college and ASU’s Pat Tillman Veterans Center, and a dedicated training space was created at the Sun Devil Fitness Complex on ASU’s Downtown Phoenix campus. The program is funded by the Red Sox Foundation and does not require an ASU affiliation.
Coaching Rooted in Experience
He begins by asking about past injuries, physical limitations and what each person hopes to gain. Hamrick, who was also a participant in the program while pursuing his master’s degree at ASU, said his role extends beyond physical performance. To come back, you know, full circle and be the coach now and give back to the veteran community in this capacity … It’s a dream job for me,
he said. Hamrick, an ASU alum, estimated that participants are about 55 years old on average and often want to stay healthy enough to keep up with their grandchildren or play golf. The workouts are built around movements such as squats, lunges and deadlifts, followed by supporting exercises and a cardio circuit, and use equipment like free weights, medicine balls, treadmills and an upper-body cardio machine for those who cannot perform lower-body cardio.
Nutrition Support Maintains Momentum into Daily Life
Nutrition support helps participants carry that momentum into daily life. Army veteran Kelly Soldati, for example, reported that with Hamrick’s guidance, she also began feeling more secure in her balance, including while walking Boston’s cobblestone streets during work travel. The workouts gave her structure and someone who understood her goals. By that time, that first week, I felt amazing,
Soldati said.
