If you’ve noticed it’s a little harder to find a treadmill or an open squat rack lately, you’re not alone. At Minot Air Force Base, the McAdoo Fitness Center has been busier than usual and for a good reason.

Since the updated Air Force fitness standards rolled out in late September, service members across the installation have been stepping up their workout game. With a renewed emphasis on physical readiness and an executive order encouraging regular fitness participation, many Airmen are taking advantage of on-duty workout opportunities to stay in peak condition.

“It’s not just after-work gym rats anymore,” joked one regular at the McAdoo Fitness Center. “I come in around the same time every day, and lately the parking lot’s packed – especially over by the dome where people are doing group PT.”

Across the base, squadrons have been getting creative with how they incorporate fitness into their schedules. Some units have established designated PT times, while others allow members to fit workouts into their day when it best suits their workload. The goal? Make physical training not just a requirement, but a sustainable part of daily life.

One supervisor shared that adjusting his team’s PT schedule has made things run more efficiently. “I like to let my team work out in the afternoon, about an hour before the shift ends,” he said. “Work, get their workout in and go straight home after they’re done.”

Whether it’s lifting in the McAdoo weight room, sprinting laps at the dome, or joining a squadron PT session, it’s clear that Minot AFB’s fitness community is thriving. With Airmen embracing the new standards and pushing each other to improve, the base is buzzing with energy and maybe just a little extra muscle, too.

So, if you find yourself circling the lot for a parking spot or waiting an extra minute for that bench press, just remember, it’s a sign that Team Minot is putting in the work and staying mission ready.