Newport News, Virginia. (September 1, 2024): The Navy has opened a first of its kind outdoor fitness pavilion here to serve the athletic needs of Sailors living at the Huntington Hall Naval Berthing Facility. In this photo by Max Lonzanida, a Sailor prepares to perform squats at the facility which opened this week. The eight hundred square foot structure of dedicated fitness space is modular, hurricane resistant, and utilizes solar lighting to remain open to Sailors to utilize 24/7. The pavilion can accommodate up to 120 Sailors at any given time and offers a variety of free weights, kettle balls, jump ropes, workout balls, pull up bars, climbing ropes, squat racks, and other fitness equipment. The facility was the brainchild of the leaders of Naval Weapons Station Yorktown and the staff from the Morale, Welfare and Recreation department.

The facility is designed for warfighters that work on ships with irregular schedules who need a good work out day or night. It took about eight-months and over $325,000 to create the open-air gym that offers a variety of cross-fit and high intensity interval exercises. There are spaces for pull ups, several climbing ropes, bench press, axle attachment points for barbel weights, and several squat rack stations. The gym has also become popular for group sports sessions such as basketball tournaments and dodgeball events, among others.

The Navy is planning to open facilities like these at all major land-based ports in the U.S. to enhance the quality of life of Sailors and their families.