SUN CITY, Ariz. — Amidst the traditional dumbbells, weight machines and weight benches at the Sun City Fire Department Training Center, there was one area that stood out.
In a corner was an open space with red carpet. Brightly colored exercise balls on racks lined the wall, and a variety of kettlebells — a type of dumbbell used for balance and coordination - were in rows on the floor.
In marked contrast to the many workout machines through most of the center, there was just one in this corner. For John Metzger, a Sun City firefighter and the department’s health and fitness coordinator, that contrast represents his struggle to change firefighter training from the traditional “bulking up” to a focus on balance and movement.
Full story: Movement key to firefighter training